Wine Ball in Vlasotince has been taking place since 1960, with a few  interruptions. In some way, this event witnessed gradual decrease of land covered by vineyards in once famous wine-region of Vlasotince.

The Association of vine-growers from Vlasotince and the surrounding villages was formed in 1926. Times have changed, so after the Second World War, this region was also hit by expansion of state-owned wineries and vineyards, while land covered by private vineyards continuously dropped. At the end of 20th century, big industrial winery such as Vinarska Cellars went bankrupt, its destiny is still to be seen through the process of privatization, hoping that eventually wine will flow again from its tanks and barrels...Until that moment, the Wine Ball represents a link with those past times when the entire region was sustained by vine-growing. and also a hope that wines from Vlasotince region will step back onto the wine scene in the future.

PROGRAM OF THE WINE BALL

FRIDAY, 31.08.2012

09.00h Tour of the vineyards and selection of the best vine-grower

17.00h Panel discussion "Current situation in vine-growing of Vlasotince region and possibility of its revival" (Gallery of the Cultural Center in Vlasotince, M. Orešković Street, 1)

17.00h Official opening ceremony of the exhibition of caricatures which entered into a contest organized by the Wine Ball Committee and exhibition of Wine Ball History in Images (made in cooperation with Belgrade's Vlasotince Association), Gallery of the Cultural Center in Vlasotince

20.30h Wine & Song Night (ceremony of announcing winning caricatures and songs at the contest; music performance by Vlasotince Town Orchestra and Women's Song Ensemble "Neven" from Leskovac( in the Garden)

SATURDAY, 01.09.2012

09.00h Tour made by Knights of the Wine Order "St Simeon" and their guests to cellars owned by the Association of fruit and vine growers in the village of Dadince

11.00h Reception for Knights of the Wine Order "St Simeon" and their guests at the Town Hall hosted by mayor of Vlasotince

11.30h Lecture "Modernization of vine-growing and wine-making in Vlasotince region" (Restaurant Jaz, Branislav Nušić Str, 1)

13.00h Annual Assembly of the Wine Knights' Order "St Simeon" (Restaurant Jaz, Branislav Nušić Str, 1)

13.00h Wine evaluation and selection of the best wine-maker

18.00h Procession of grape-pickers (leading from the square to fountain at the riverside, and then back to Garden); participants: members of local folk dance and song ensembles Crnilović and Bratstvo, Members of folk dance ensemble Lemind from Leskovac as well as members of the Wine Knights' Order

18.30h Folk Song Night (performance by local and regional folk dance ensembles and orchestras), waiters' race, Fast Spritzer Drinking contest, exhibition of old clocks and traditional cuisine (in the Garden)

20.30h Closing ceremony (announcing winners in all categories, Miss Wine Ball beauty pageant, fireworks) at the summer stage

 

 

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