Concert by the "Matko Brajša Rašan" cultural and artistic group and guests: the singing group "Despina" and Erik Balija

This year, the KUD "Matko Brajša Rašan" celebrates its 75th year of continuous work and activity, which speaks of the tradition and love that the members of the society invest in vocal musical expression. The society was founded in 1951 at the initiative of several eminent professors and musicians. The founders named the society Matko Brajša Rašan after the Istrian composer, collector of folk songs and author of the Istrian festive song « Beautiful land. Beloved Istro ». The choir has been successfully nurturing the vocal musical expression of the Istrian region in the works of composers from Istria and the Littoral, promoting the Istrian scale included on the UNESCO list of intangible heritage. The repertoire also includes compositions by other prominent Croatian authors as well as works by other and great world masters. It performs at all significant events. With its specific musical expression, it represents Pula, Istria and Croatia at competitions and guest performances at home and abroad, where it has received numerous awards. In 2021, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of its continuous existence, the City of Pula awarded the choir with the "Charter of the City of Pula", in recognition of its many years of amateur cultural and artistic work in nurturing vocal music and preserving the identity, musical heritage of the Istrian region, and promoting the culture and reputation of Pula and Croatia. In 2004, the Cultural and Artistic Association "Matko Brajša Rašan" began organizing the already traditional event "Days of Vocal Music in Memory of Brajši". This year, the 23rd Days of Vocal Music "In Memory of Brajši" will be held. Over the past 7 decades, the choir has been led by a number of eminent conductors. Since the beginning of 2026, the choir has been conducted by the young and energetic TONI PERNIĆ