Carnival on Island of Lastovo

Lastovo Carnival Poklad</>

Lastovo Carnival Poster – commissioned by Croatian Tourist Board as part of “Ethno” series of promotional posters.

Lastovo Carnival Poklad is based on the traditional story that celebrates successful event in Lastovo’s history when pirates wanted to attack the Island. They sent a messenger to Lastovo, with a request to surrender. Instead, Lastovo people took weapons and decided to fight. Women and children went to Saint George church where they prayed for help. The help came indeed. An unusually strong storm suddenly struck and destroyed the pirate’s fleet and Lastovo’s people ware left unharmed. Lastovo’s Poklad Carnival is local celebration that celebrates survival of Lastovo. The Poklad puppet (above image) ritually slides 3 times down the 300 meters long rope with fireworks and noisy cheers from the crowd. This carnival event takes stage in Lastovo every winter on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday and is very popular event among locals as well as their visitors.