Golden Harp

date: 03.05.2008.

The Golden Harp is a traditional meeting of children choirs, which take place every year in the parishes.

The first Golden Harp took place on July 1st, 1984 in Kočerin, in Herzegovina, and gathered together about 200 little singers. The initiative came from Fr. Mićo Pinjuh, OFM, parish priest in Kočerin. Every choir sung two thematic songs and one liturgical according to a free choice. The basic mission of the Harp is the renewal of the liturgical singing, the encouragement of collaboration between choir leaders, as well as promotion of the creative spirit of composers.

This year, the meeting took place on May 1st and 2nd 2008 in Medjugorje. The theme of the encounter was Saint Francis. Every choir sung two songs, one according to a free choice and a given one. On May 1st, choirs from the following parishes were singing: Posuški Gradac, Vitina, Kočerin, Drinovci, Međugorje, Kruševo and Mostar, and on May 2nd, choirs from Posušje, Široki Brijeg, Humac, Čitluk, Ružići and Tomislavgrad.

The meeting was opened by fr. Petar Vlašić, parish priest in Medjugorje. He encouraged and motivated the children and the youth. The program began at 3 PM with Holy Mass, followed by the presentation of the choirs. Holy Masses were celebrated by Fr. Ivan Landeka and Fr. Josip Vlašić. Sanja Komadina Pehar led through the program.

The Golden Harp is not a competition, so all the choirs independently of their presentation got recognition for their efforts.