The Alka of Sinj is a unique chivalric game that was founded in 1715 and has been performed regularly since the beginning of the 19th century. It originated from the miraculous and heroic defense of Sinj from the Ottoman invaders in 1715. The Alka is primarly tradition of the local population, and it is supposed to be held only in Sinj and with participants only from the Sinj region. The local population embraced Alka as a medium for preserving memory of the heroism and faith of their ancestors. Alka has transcended the boundaries of local festivity and become culturally and politically relevant manifestation at the national level. This course will acquaint students with the historical context of the foundation of Alka and its rules, participants and symbolics. It will explain the ties of Alka and Miraculous Lady of Sinj, cultural influences that shaped Alka and its role in legitimizing different polities.
1. Master basic historiographical origins of the Alka of Sinj.
2. Recognize fundamental processes that contributed to the existence of the Alka of Sinj.
3. Distinguish processes of the cultural influences that shaped the Alka of Sinj.
4. Write a clear and structured paper.
5. Use modern information and communication technologies to evaluate proposals for innovations in Alka structure and Alka management.
Bobot, R. (ed.) (1987) The Alka Tournament of Sinj. Belgrade: Jugoslovenska revija.
Žižić, J. (2023) The Alka of Sinj. Sinj: Viteško alkarsko društvo i Turistička zajednica Grada Sinja
Erözden, M. O. (2013) “The practical limits of inventing traditions: the failed reinvention of the Sinjska Alka”, Nations and Nationalism, 19(3), 475-492.
Vlašić, A., Kovač, J. (2015) Elements of Ottoman legacy in the Alka of Sinj (Croatia). In: Temizer, A., Özcan, U. (eds.) Balkanlar’da Osmanlı Mirası Ve Defter-i Hâkânî (507-528). Istanbul: Libra.
Schauble, M. (2019) “Living history? Reenacting the past and promoting “tradition” in the Dalmatian hinterland”, Nationalities Papers, 47(2), 198–216.
1. Regular attendance at classes – attendance of at least 70 % of classes according to the study program. 2. Fully completed seminar obligations - prepared and submitted presentation, active participation, and independent work. 3. Obtaining a minimum success rate of 35 % during classes within the assigned teaching activities - achieved cumulatively.
Grade Scale: insufficient (1) – 0 to 49.9% sufficient (2) – 50–64.9% good (3) – 65–79.9% very good (4) – 80–89.9% excellent (5) – 90% and above.
a) Teaching activities: a) Seminar obligations – 30 % of the grade b) Midterm exam 1 – 20 % of the grade c) Midterm exam 2 – 20 % of the grade b) Final exam: a) Final exam – 30 % of the grade (to pass, it is necessary to solve at least 50% of the exam) Oral exam – 30 %
Class Attendance 1,2 0 Seminar Presentation 0,57 15 Seminar Paper 0,57 15 Colloquium-intermediate examination 0,76 20 Colloquium-intermediate examination 0,76 20 Total in Class 3,86 70 Final Exam 1,14 30 TOTAL ECTS (Classes + Final Exam) 5 100