| Bećarac | |
|---|---|
 Slavonski bećari ensemble in 1997 | |
| Stylistic origins | Croatian music |
| Cultural origins | Slavonia |
| Bećarac singing and playing from Eastern Croatia | |
|---|---|
| Country | Croatia |
| Reference | 00358 |
| Region | Europe and North America |
| Inscription history | |
| Inscription | 2011 (6th session) |
| List | Representative |
Bećarac is ahumorous form offolksong, originally from ruralSlavonia,Croatia and eventually spreading into southernHungary and theVojvodina region ofSerbia. The root of the word comes frombećar (Turkish:bekâr), meaning "bachelor", "reveler" or "carouser". Bećarci are always teasing, mocking and/or lascivious, and are usually sung by a male company at village parties ("sijelo" or "kirvaj" (kermesse)).[1] However, they are also sung by women in equal footing,[2] especially in kolo dance.
Bećarac uses a strict form ofcouplet indecasyllable, always sung to the same music, played by atamburitza orchestra, less commonbagpipes orsamica,[2] or just by the choir. The first verse is sung by the choir leader and forms a logicalthesis; it is repeated by the choir of gathered men. The second verse is a humorous antithesis, also repeated by the choir (but often broken by laughter). Bećarci are usually performed at the peak of a party as a drinking song after the crowd is sufficiently warmed up bywine and music. A series of bećarci can last indefinitely. The lyrics are often made up at the spot orimprovised,[3] and the best ones are spread and reused for later parties.
Bećarci are often difficult to translate and to understand by outsiders, because the use puns, reference to local events and cultural allusions. A simple example: "sjedi Ćiro na vrh slame, brkovima plaši vrane" -> "Chiro sits on top of straw, with his mustache he scares a crow". But it is difficult to make sense of: ""mala moja, visoki jablane, je l' ti mjesec vidio tabane"-> "my little one, tall apple tree, has the moon seen your soles".[4]
It is believed that bećarac originates with the abolishment of theCroatian Military Frontier.[2]
It was studied byFriedrich Salomon Krauss, born inPožega, who collected around two thousand bećarac songs.[2]
In 2009, Croatia submitted the bećarac among others for inclusion in theUNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists.[5] In 2010, the attempt was again unsuccessful, and English translations were made for better reference.[6] In 2011, it was included in the list.[7]
In 2017 it was announced that a museum dedicated to bećarac would be opening in the town ofPleternica, Croatia.[8][9] The concept was described by the director as contemporary museum, which will tell the traditional heritage of bećarac, but in a modern setting.[10] Due to bećarac being a vital part of the intangible cultural heritage of Croatia, 85% of the museum project was funded by theEuropean Union, with expectations of it having a positive impact on the well-being of the town and the entire region.[8][11]
