2. GUCA TRUMPET FESTIVAL

GUCA TRUMPET FESTIVAL – THE GUARDIAN OF NATIONAL SPIRIT AND TRADITION

Every August, accompanied by the sound of trumpet, gunshots and big fireworks, the largest of all national festivals – Guca Trumpet Festival in Dragacevo begins. 

Guca becomes the capital of trumpet, and Dragacevo, a region where Guca is located, the Republic of trumpeters – unique in the whole world. That is how this magnificent trumpet manifestation, which has with the course of time grown to be the most important celebration of the people of this region, begins.

All the bands that take part in the contest will be honourably called – the trumpeters of Dragacevo. All the winners at the Festival deserve the flatting title of the best trumpeters of the Festival which has been won in a knightly competition.

Opanci

With their spiritual and hand-made gadgets the trumpeters will be joined by loom weavers and embroidery makers; tailors, cap makers; cobblers who make “opanak” (traditional footwear which is a part of Serbian national costume), producers of healthy natural foods and drinks (dairy products, corn bread and home made brandy-rakija). 

Serbian cooks will preparing the famous dish of the Festival – sour cabbage, boiled beans, roast and grilled meat and some other traditional dishes whose fragrance and taste make you hungry no matter how full you are. Cold and hot plum brandy will be served together with corn bread, cheese and “kajmak” (national dairy dish) – as a starter.

Serbian traditional meal - Kajmak

The village of Guca in the Dragačevo district is a peaceful, scenic and colorful part of western Serbia.  It has gained world fame owing to its Assembly of Trumpet Players, the largest trumpet and brass band event on the planet.

The love of the people of Dragacevo for music, especially for the trumpet, began in the rule of Prince Miloš Obrenović who ordered the formation of the first military band in 1831. From then until now the trumpet has reigned here uninterrupted while woodwind instruments, in keeping with the customs, warm the soul of its population.

Orchestra in national clothes

Some orchestras, when they appear on stage for official competition, wear the national dress and authentic indigenous dances with other folk inspired elements and musical accompaniment, have become an integral part of the national gathering.

The virtuoso musicians are for the most part fully self-taught and lend an air of authenticity unmatched by academic musicians. They play by ear and quite spontaneously, relying on their imagination and musical memory.

The Gucha Assembly of Trumpet Players continues to grow year after year: today, this musical feast of recognizable national skills is more popular, more diverse and bigger than ever before.

History:

The first Dragacevo Assembly of Trumpet Players was held on October 16, 1961 in the yard of the Church of Sts. Michael and Gabriel in Guca. Initially, it was a very modest Assembly - almost subversive for the prevailing political circumstances of the time. However, the Assembly gradually grew and expanded its magical influence.

The song "Sa Ovčara i Kablara" marks the beginning of the festival each year. Some church music festivals notwithstanding, the Assembly of Trumpet Players is the best known event of this kind, extending uninterruptedly for 55 years and attracting guests and musicians alike from every continent.

Trumpet players and folk song and dance groups from around the world deem it a great honour to be invited to the Assembly, and the number of visitors increases with each coming year. The record was set in 2010, when Guca hosted in excess of 700.000 visitors over 10 days of festivities.

In 2016 the Final Serbian Trumpet Band Competition will be held for the 56th time in August - the exact date is not known as yet. Maestros from whole Serbia will compete for the prestige Golden Trumpet award. Beside this competition a various program with rich cultural heritage like traditional wedding, sport event and art program will entertain the more than 500.000 visitors 5 days long.