Tamburitzans perform for Croatian national soccer team
Members of the St. George Jr. Tamburitzans of Croatian Fraternal Lodge 354 in Cokeburg are “thrilled” after performing for the Croatian national soccer team during a recent visit to Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia, in preparation for their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign.
Just under 20 kids from the group performed a range of traditional Croatian music and dance before meeting the team on June 10, giving the children an experience they will never forget, according to Artistic Director Marlene Luketich-Kochis.
Luketich-Kochis said the team invited the group to accompany their practice session and public cultural event after learning about the deep Croatian heritage in Western Pennsylvania.
“For our young performers, this was an unforgettable experience and a tremendous honor. They had the opportunity to share the music and traditions of their Croatian heritage while representing Western Pennsylvania before Croatia’s national team as it prepared for the World Cup,” Luketich-Kochis said in a statement. “It was a proud moment for our ensemble, our families, and our community.”
The appearance highlighted Western Pennsylvania’s deep Croatian American roots and the important role community cultural organizations play in preserving traditional music and customs. By performing at Croatia’s training base, the ensemble provided athletes, supporters and attendees with a meaningful connection to the Croatian diaspora in the United States, according to a statement from the group.
After concluding their performance, the children were given an opportunity to meet the assembled players, including 2018 Ballon d’Or winner and team captain Luka Modri膰.
Luketich-Kochis said the group was able to converse with the team in both English and Croatian, which was an unforgettable experience.
“They were very nice people too,” she said.
The St. George Jr. Tamburitzans is the youth ensemble of Croatian Fraternal Lodge 354 in Cokeburg, which is dedicated to preserving and sharing Croatian music, dance and cultural traditions with public performances and community engagement.
The group has traveled to Croatia 14 times since its founding in 1950, including a memorable trip to Zagreb during the 2018 FIFA World Cup where the Croatian team lost 4-2 to France in the final match.
According to Luketich-Kochis, the children were “thrilled” by getting to meet their heroes from the national team.
“It was a mix of culture with sports. It was a nice event to be at,” she said.