RAB MEDIEVAL FESTIVAL / FJERA
THE RAB FAIR (RAPSKA FJERA)
Rab, Island of Rab, July 25 - 27
Rapska Fjera is an event that revives time and spirit of Middle Ages and taking place together with celebration held in honor of St. Christopher, patron saint of the island of Rab. The Rab Fair - Medieval Days presents customs, trades and life as it was in those long gone days. Entire population of Rab dresses in medieval fashion during Rapska Fjera, taking part in events, competitions and presentations of old trades and hand-made products being exhibited on the streets of Rab. This popular manifestation draws many tourists because of its originality and beautiful settings where it takes place
Every year for a week at the end of July, the island of Rab goes medieval with a costumed festival celebrating the customs, traditional crafts, and lifestyles of that era. The festival begins in the afternoon daily during this week and lasts until after midnight
Crossbow Games Rab
The Association of the Crossbowmen of the Island of Rab was founded on 15 February 1995 while the Knight Games were restored in the same year, precisely on October 28. Since then, as many as 143 tournaments of knights have been held on the island of Rab, in many Croatian towns and abroad. The association includes 156 members divided into groups such as crossbowmen, trumpeters, buglers, flag bearers, dancers, music players, gunners and squires.
The games take place in the town of Rab and in some twin towns such as San Marino and Königsbrunn on Victory Day (May 9), Statehood Day (June 25),St. Christopher’s Day (July 27) and Feast of Assumption (August 15). The costumes of the crossbowmen and trumpeters of Rab were designed by costume designer Dijana Boureek of the Croatian National Theatre of Zagreb based on a scientific study of Dr Jelka Radauš Ribarić.
The crossbows were made by the crossbowmen themselves with assistance of crossbowmen of San Marino (balestrieri). They weigh from 18 to 25 kg. The target (cocoon-like) should be hit from a distance of 36.5 m by an arrow weighing 0.15 kg. The flags symbolize the fraternities of Rab, i.e. the counties and town of Rab, whereas the leading flag is the flag of the Republic of Croatia. The trumpets were designed in Italian workshops at special request while the canons were made in Croatian workshops.
