Events calendar

On Saturday, August 22 at 8 PM, the MMC Ulika in Bale will host the opening of the photo exhibition “The Churches of Valle”, dedicated to the religious heritage of Bale and its surrounding area.

The exhibition is presented by photographers Siegfried Schwarz and Luka Jereb. The project grew from their shared interest in documenting Istria’s ecclesiastical heritage. For years, Siegfried Schwarz has been working on a photographic project documenting the churches and chapels of the Istrian peninsula, covering approximately 1,000 sacred buildings. His meeting with Luka Jereb, a resident of Bale and author of previous exhibitions dedicated to local heritage, led to the idea of a project focusing specifically on the churches of Bale.

The project documents approximately 28 churches and chapels in Bale and the surrounding area. The photographs include churches in the town itself, as well as smaller chapels and churches situated in the surrounding landscape.

The particular value of the project lies in documenting the religious heritage of Bale as a whole. Since the exhibition can present only one photograph of each church, a dedicated volume has also been prepared as a detailed catalogue and guide to the documented sites. The texts about the churches were taken from available sources of the City of Bale, while the texts about the saints were prepared by Luka Jereb.

The photo exhibition “The Churches of Valle” opens on Saturday, August 22, 2026 at 8 PM at MMC Ulika in Bale.

The exhibition will remain open to the public until September 18, 2026.

Authors: Siegfried Schwarz and Luka Jereb
Opening: Saturday, August 22, 2026 at 8 PM
Venue: MMC Ulika, Bale
Exhibition open: until September 18, 2026

On Saturday, 5 September an octet from the Rock Simfonija project will perform at Tomaso Bembo Square in Bale, presenting the Rock Classics programme.

The concert begins at 9:00 PM and features classic rock songs performed by musicians who combine the sound of rock with elements of classical music.

Rock Simfonija is a music project from Banja Luka, founded in 2014 and known for bringing rock and classical music together. Its sound combines electric instruments with classical orchestral elements, with arrangements of well-known rock songs from the region and around the world.

In Bale, part of the project will perform as an octet, with a programme dedicated to classic rock.

Rock Simfonija – Rock Classics
�� 5 September 
�� 9:00 PM
�� Tomaso Bembo Square, Bale

Free admission.

The closing event of this year’s Bembo Fest brings a cabaret dedicated to one of the most recognisable authors of Dalmatian songs and literature, Momčilo Popadić.

Teatar Erato presents the cabaret  "What is life if not...." ("Ča je život vengo..."), created from Popadić’s songs, prose, articles and anecdotes.

Popadić’s verses have lived for decades through songs we know and love. From Oprosti mi, pape and Skitnice to Tonka, Svoju zvizdu slidin and many others that have become part of our shared musical memory.

In this performance, his work meets storytelling, humour and the Dalmatian way of telling stories. Through narration, singing and acting, three performers bring Popadić’s texts to the stage, along with his view of people and everyday life — a perspective that makes us laugh while leaving room for a touch of nostalgia.

The cabaret features Marjan Nejašmić Banić, Petar Salečić and Bojan Brajčić, who also signs the adaptation.

The performance is conceived without elaborate stage production. At its heart are the spoken word, song, guitar, acting and Popadić’s unmistakable humour.

On Tomaso Bembo Square, beneath the summer evening sky and surrounded by the audience, Ča je život vengo... will bring this year’s Bembo Fest to a close.

Instead of the originally scheduled date of Thursday, September 3, the performance will take place on September 19 at 8:00 PM, due to an illness affecting one of the performers.

Basic information

Festival: 6th Bembo Fest
Date: 19 September 2026
Time: 8:00 PM
Location: Tomaso Bembo Square, Bale-Valle
Admission: Free

From 20 to 26 September 2026, Bale will once again host the Young Theater Festival, an international artistic and scientific event bringing together young artists, students, educators, researchers and professionals from Croatia and abroad.

This year’s edition is held under the theme “The Art of Play and Emotion”, focusing on the connection between theater and performing arts, psychology, creative therapies, and the fields of art and health. Through a diverse programme of workshops, lectures and practical activities, the Festival offers an opportunity to gain new knowledge, exchange experiences and develop artistic and professional skills.

Among this year’s mentors and lecturers are renowned artists and experts from Croatia and abroad, including theater and film actress Selma Alispahić, Canadian actor Filip Geljo, known for his roles in the Avatar sequels, British drama therapist Anna Seymour, and Romanian actor, director and professor András Hatházi, a long-standing Festival mentor.

The programme is intended for students and young artists, as well as anyone interested in participating, including teachers, educators, psychologists, creative therapists, parents and other professionals. A special part of the programme is dedicated to children and parents, with activities that encourage emotional literacy through play and creative expression.

Through its programme, the Festival explores how art, play, movement and creative expression can contribute to personal development, learning and individual well-being. Some activities will also take place outdoors, including psychological counselling while walking, further connecting the Festival’s artistic and educational programme with Bale and its surroundings.

The Young Theater Festival in Bale is organised by the Academy of Arts and Culture in Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, University of Split, Municipality of Bale – Valle, Tourist Board of Bale – Valle and Mon Perin d.d.

Registration for the workshops is now open. Information about the programme and registration is available through the official channels of the Young Theater Festival.

The traditional and much-loved Čeripnja Fest returns this summer.

On Sunday, September 27, 2026, behind the school, teams of skilled cooks will fill their čeripnje and cover them with hot embers. What follows is a treat for everyone gathered there.

The traditional method of preparing food under a čeripnja is one of the symbols of the Istrian peninsula and requires patience, knowledge and a genuine passion for cooking.

The Čeripnja Fest has been held in Bale for many years. It is a culinary competition, with valuable prizes awarded to the winners, while the proceeds from tasting vouchers are donated to charity.

This year’s event will take place on Sunday, September 27, 2026, in the area behind the school in Bale, according to the following schedule:

10:00 - lighting of the fire

11:00 - participants gather

12:00 - covering the čeripnje with hot embers

13:00 - tasting voucher sales begin

14:00 - tasting of dishes prepared under the čeripnja

16:00 - announcement of the winners and awards ceremony

Information for participants:

Interested teams can contact 099/493 0834 or 052/824-270, send an e-mail to info@bale-valle.hr, or visit the Tourist Board of Bale office in person at Rovinjska 1.

The Tourist Board of Bale provides €40 per team for ingredients. Teams may add their own ingredients and spices.

Participants should gather from 11:00.

The winner will be selected by a jury, and the best teams will receive valuable prizes.

Information for visitors:

Tasting the prepared dishes is possible exclusively with a tasting voucher priced at €10.00. The price includes cutlery, bread and a glass of the selected beverage.

Tasting vouchers will be available for purchase from 13:00, while the tasting begins at 14:00.

All proceeds from the sale of tasting vouchers will be donated to charity.

See you on Sunday, September 27, at this year’s Čeripnja Fest!