Since 1958, the month of October has been a special period for Topola and Šumadija, when Oplenac Grape Harvest Festival is held. In the course of 3 days, Friday to Sunday, visitors get an opportunity to celebrate grape harvest in Šumadija region, taste wines and enjoy themselves with folk music.An integral part of this event is also wine & brandy evaluation. Topola and Oplenac are historically linked to grapes and wine. In the Middle Ages, Despot Stefan Lazarević visited this area for hunting and quenched his thirst with Oplenac wines. In 1903, when the wine cellar owned by King Peter I Karađorđević was founded, the glory of Oplenac vineyards spread across Europe, thus reaching courts of other European royal families.

Nowadays, tradition of Venčac vineyards is continued by Aleksandrović Cellar, Tri Hrasta Winery, Srpska tradicija, Gedošević Winery, Grb,Vrbica, Royal Winery.

All this sounds quite interesting. However, Oplenac Grape Harvest is often simply referred to as "Topola Fair". Therefore, be prepared if you visit Topola during the weekend to feel the genuine atmosphere of a village fair, whereas you will only partly meet your expectations with regard to wine and grapes. Therefore, our advice is that you combine this day trip to Topola with a visit to some local winery.

PROGRAM:

Tuesday, 09.10.2012

10.00h International evaluation of wine & brandy, Karađorđe's barracks

Friday, 12.10.2012

10.30h Children's Masquerade along streets of Topola

11.00h Children's Theatre Play “Gulliver among dolls”, Wine square

12.00h Opening ceremony of Oplenac Grape Harvest 2012, Stage in Karađorđe Fortress

13.00h Performance by dance ensembles, vocalist groups and instrumentalists, Wine square

14.00h Fair of wine, souvenirs and handicrafts, Wine street

14.30h Concert of church choir “Oplenac”, Wine square

16.30h Promotion of the book written by Jasna Bjeladinović-National folk costumes in 19th and 20th century in Serbia and neighbouring countries, Karađorđe's barracks

18.00h Concert of Women's singing group  “Oplenac”, hall of Karađorđe's Mansion in Karađorđe's Fortress

19.30h Concert of folk music, Stage in Karađorđe Fortress

20.00h Concert of rock bands from Topola, Wine square

Saturday, 13.10.2012

09.00h Dog show, yard of Vet Center

11.00h Award ceremony for winners of International evaluation of wine & brandy, Wine square

11.30h Opening ceremony of grape, fruit & other agricultural product exhibition, Secondary school “King Peter I”

12.00h Performance by dance ensembles, vocalist groups and instrumentalists, Wine square

14.15h – 15.15h Festive procession of participants of Serbian Folk Heritage Fair, starting from Oplenac along streets of Topola

15.20h Opening ceremony of 40th Serbian Folk Heritage Fair, Stage in Karađorđe Fortress

15.30h Concert of the best folk dance and song ensembles and instrumentalists, Stage in Karađorđe Fortress

17.15h Best Of Show, performance by participants of 40th Serbian Folk Heritage Fair, Wine square

18.00h Concert of Brass Orchestra Veljko Ostojić – winners of Guča Trumpet Festival 2012, Wine square

20.00h Concert of Ana Bekuta, Stage in Karađorđe Fortress

Sunday, 14.10.2012

11.00h Performance by dance ensembles, vocalist groups and instrumentalists, Wine square

13.00h Award ceremony for the best poem about wine and love, the most authentic souvenir, preservation of old crafts, Wine square

14.00h Opening of the exhibition of paintings from 40th Art Colony in Lipovac, Library “Radoje Domanović”-town school

14.00h Concert of singing group Evagoras Ammohostou from Cyprus, Wine Square

14.00h Concert of folk dance ensemble “Oplenac”, stage in Karađorđe Fortress

15.30h Concert of young singing groups, Cinema

16.00h Performance by dance ensembles, vocalist groups and instrumentalists, Wine square

17.00h Panel discussion “Traditional music and youth in Serbia today: learning and teaching process”, Karađorđe's barracks

20.00h Concert Ana Štajndohar, Wine square

21.00h Fireworks, Wine square

 

BACK TO CATEGORY