If you’re looking for something to do this week/weekend and want to dive a little deeper into Croatian culture and traditions, look no further than Malinska’s annual SENSA (or “Cheese Run”).
Every year, 40 days after Christ’s resurrection and Ascension into Heaven, the Festival Sira, or “Cheese Festival,” takes place. This tradition of commemorating Christ’s Ascension has been passed down through the generations of Dubašnica (where most families used to be dairy farmers), during which there is a special evening mass, followed by a “Run for Cheese” or Teć za sir.
At the parish church of Dubašnica, located in Bogovići, cheese will be brought to the altar during the evening mass to be blessed, with the accompaniment of the sopele (a traditional woodwind instrument in Croatia). After the mass, those attending will gather outside along the road, and young men will be welcomed to run in pairs for the cheese. After this race, there will be a traditional performance of song and dance, to the sounds of sopele, and guests will be invited to dine on fresh cheeses, locally baked goods, and local wine.
It’s a fun event had by all, and there is no limit to the number of guests or runners after the mass.
The 2025 SENSA takes place from Wednesday, May 28, 2025, to Saturday, May 31, 2025. You may attend as little or as often as you would like, but please note that there are different events for each day of the festival!
Here is the program: Please note that the main event, including the evening mass and the Run for Cheese, is on Thursday.
Wednesday 28.05:
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. – Ivan Klobučarić Square – Presentation of the partner regions of the SreST project
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM – DUBoak- Panel discussion From softness to plate: perspectives of livestock farming and related gastronomy on the island of Krk (Sign Up Here)
Thursday 29.05:
10:00 – 20:00h – Ivan Klobučarić Square – Domestic Products Fair
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM – Parish Church of St. Apollinaris, Bogovići – Holy Mass on the occasion of the feast of the Ascension of the Lord and blessing of cheese and wine, young men’s race “run for cheese”, folklore performance
20:00 – 23:00 – Ivan Klobučarić Square – Cheese Festival: gastronomic offer of local restaurateurs and Mih & Me + Vruja concert
Friday 30.05:
10:00 – 20:00 – Ivan Klobučarić Square – Domestic Products Fair
10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. – Park behind DUBoak – Meet the Krk sheep
09:00 – 14:00h – House of Dubašljan Heritage, Bogovići – Workshop with wool – sorting, dyeing with local natural resources (Bojana Anžman, SLO)
12:00 – 13:00h – DUBoak – Interpretive guide “Voice of heritage, rhythm of time” – presentation of the cultural heritage of Dubašnica (Klara Bogović) – in English (Sign Up Here)
2:30 PM – 7:30 PM – House of Dubašljan Heritage, Bogovići – Wool workshop – sorting, dyeing with local natural resources (Bojana Anžman, SLO)
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM – DUBoak – Wool Felting for Children (Jasminka Gršković – Bluesheep)
19:00 – 20:00h – DUBoak – Practical workshop: breakfast
20:00 – 22:00h – Ivan Klobučarić Square – Klapa concert Intriga
Saturday 31.05:
10:00 – 20:00 – Ivan Klobučarić Square – Domestic Products Fair
10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. – Park behind DUBoak – Meet the Krk sheep
09:00 – 16:00h – House of Dubašljan Heritage, Bogovići – Workshop with wool – washing, dyeing with local natural resources (Bojana Anžman, SLO)
10:00 – 12:00h – DUBoak – Wool felting for children (Jasminka Gršković – Bluesheep) (Sign Up Here)
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. – DUBoak – Interpretive guide “Voice of heritage, rhythm of time” – presentation of the cultural heritage of Dubašnica (Klara Bogović) – in Croatian (Sign Up Here)
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM – DUBoak – Practical workshop: šurlice (Sign Up Here)
20:00 – 23:00 – Ivan Klobučarić Square – Kantridersi Concert + Belfast Food
