Folklore and tamburitza group KUD Oton Župančič Vinica

The beginnings of the group date back to early 20th century, when its members presented Vinica far and wide by performing the traditional local wedding
ceremony. They also took part in the ceremony marking the 60th anniversary of
rule of Emperor Franz Joseph in Vienna. KUD Oton Župančič Vinica was officially
founded in 1964. For over half a century, we have been trying to preserve the
genuine folk dances, songs and customs of Vinica and the Bela krajina region, and
have seen a significant progress in the last 20 years. During that time, members
of the group under the mentorship of Ms Ljuba Vrtovec-Pribac, an expert in folk
costumes, made the groups new costumes, which represent Vinca and other
villages along the Kolpa River, and reconstructed the Vinica diple, a traditional
woodwind musical instrument. Cooperating with acclaimed expert in folk dance
Mr Mirko Ramovš, the group has presented itself at annual national folklore
shows five times since 2007.

The great interest among our members for dancing, playing tamburica, attending
seminars and spending time together gives us hope that the rich heritage of the
region will not fade into oblivion.

In the jubilee year of 2024, the folklore group is acting more youthfully than ever before. Today, the association, which unites almost 140 active members, breathes on the successes paved by past generations of folklorists, tamburitza players, singers and folk musicians.

The rich folk tradition of Vinica gives the group the courage to prepare a playful stage program through an interesting and fresh approach, armed with experience and knowledge gained from professional education, with youthful energy.