Monday, May 21, 2012

Istra Inspirit

Istra Inspirit is a series of events that revive history, Istrian myths and legends at authentic locations.
In only a few days, you can travel through time, through the period of castles, Roman villas, urban centres and museums, participating in Roman feasts, medieval executions, Baroque balls and visit a coal mine.

Moments of Istria’s mystical history, demonstrated by excellent actors in superb scenery, followed by a specially prepared dinner with menus from various historical periods, entertainment, dancing and interesting surprises... Take an opportunity to experience extraordinary magical adventures possible
only in Istria!

Mythical creatures of Istria
The food of the giant Veli Jože, the sorceress’s magic potions and the games of the ancient circus
Enjoy an interactive program for children and adults, including sketches, workshops and playrooms with Istrian mythological creatures and legends. While watching a play of the ancient circus that once provided entertainment at fairs with unusual musicians, jugglers, clowns and fakirs, you can try the magic potions of sorceresses and sorcerers and the food of the giant Veli Jože...
Crispo
The feast Constantine the Great honoured his son with and what made the stepmother wicked
The year is 326, and Crispo has just returned from war and his father, Constantine the Great, declares him his heir. Fausta, Crispo’s stepmother, tries to seduce him but does not succeed and decides to seek her revenge. This play takes you into the world of Roman plots and intrigues, love, hate
and revenge, followed by a feast of dishes made according to ancient Roman recipes...
Spacio
The food of fishermen and farmers and discussions at the tavern
Not so long ago, fishermen would catch fish from their batana (a type of boat), while farmers made wine, after which they would all meet in the Spacio
(tavern) and sing about their lives, the sea, the countryside, tales of unhappy loves and happy endings. They would comment everyday events and sometimes, filled with wine and fish, they would quarrel...
Mare the witch
Why the herbalist Mary was burned at the stake and how the executioners celebrated
In 1632 Mare Radolovich was a local herbalist and healer who was accused of witchcraft by her neighbours, the same people that she had healed and helped. They accused her of making a pact with the devil, declared her a witch and condemned her to death by burning at the stake in the castle’s
courtyard. Did she survive? Discover the truth at this renaissance feast in a magnificent Venetian fortress...


Iustitia
Domenico Furlan’s thievery and how justice was served
In the year 1699, the infamous robber Domenico Furlan destroyed the tabernacle of the Basilica in Poreč and stole its gold and silver ornaments. At his trial, he was found guilty of this unprecedented act and was executed. Join the people’s celebration of justice served that turns into a baroque celebration...
The lighthouse of love
The secret love of Count Metternich and why they didn’t live happily ever after
The year 1818 marked the construction of the lighthouse that will later serve as love nest for Count Metternich and his lover, a young woman from Savudrija. Experience the delight of this forbidden love with the sound of a crackling fire and the fragrances and flavours of love potions. Enjoy the
dishes sprinkled with aphrodisiacs and follow the story of two lovers...
Jules Verne: Escape from the castle
How Count Sandorf escaped from the castle and what Jules Verne knew about it
In Jules Verne’s novel, in 1867 Mathias Sandorf was preparing a conspiracy for the secession of Hungary from the Austro-Hungarian monarchy. But, he was discovered, and after a trial, was thrown in the Castle of Pazin to await
execution. Sandorf and two other conspirators managed to escape from the castle by descending the cliff of the Cave of Pazin into its abyss. Enjoy this adrenaline adventure followed by a party, drinks and music from original
historical time period...

Old Buzet
How they baked bread and what music they danced to in old Buzet
In an extraordinary surrounding you will experience sounds, flavours and fragrances, talk and music, sights and spirit of the 20th century and the past times. You will make your bread in the old-fashioned way, learn old dances accompanied by the sound of accordion, double bass and violin, play the game ‘pljočke’, or simply take a walk and discover the streets and squares, old workshops, tasting rooms, wine shops, souvenir shops...
The Miner’s Republic
Is there a sky under the ground? The lives and food of coal miners
Take a walk through the year 1921, 150 meters below ground, under 20 million tons of stone, where there were no sunlight, sky and perception of time, there was only the darkness... and REVOLUTION!
This difficult and touching story about the human strength and pride will reveal the life of miners in one day, from their job to their meals...