The Grape Festival in Buje will take place from 18 to 20 September, with the event lasting three days. This is one of the oldest events in Istria, with a tradition stretching back 120 years.
The Grape Festival brings the wine tradition of the town to life through concerts, sports, and entertainment for all ages. One of the central events is the traditional Sunday lottery on Trg J. B. Tit. The main prize for the lottery is 13,000 euros, with a second prize of 3,000 euros, a third prize of 1,000 euros, and a fourth prize of 750 euros.
The musical programme begins on Friday. On that day, MiAH, MisterG Dee Jay, the singers of the 'Mali veliki mikrofon' Association, and the Malvazija Band will perform. On Saturday, the audience will see Rewind Vasco, Lidia Bačić, and Zemljotres, while on Sunday, the Klapa Rišpet and the Alfa Time Band will perform. All concerts are free for visitors.
A special part of the programme is the wine walk through the old town. During the walk, visitors can participate in tastings and socialise with winemakers, accompanied by a culinary offer. Viticulture is one of the main links of the event, which has been celebrated for 120 years in Buje.
The programme also includes activities for the youngest visitors, as well as sports, car enthusiasts, and art. Children's workshops and sports tournaments are planned, along with a meeting of vintage cars, exhibitions, and a wine and paint programme.
The Sunday is marked by a parade of allegorical floats, after which attention turns to Trg J. B. Tit for the lottery draw. Over 120 editions, the content and the way the Grape Festival has been celebrated have changed, but the event has maintained its connection to the grape harvest and the social life of Buje.
