A milestone worth the trip down memory lane: George Franulović has just clocked 40 years with the Australian Croatian Folkloric Group Linđo in Sydney — an organisation he joined as an eight-year-old dancer and has served as a musician ever since.
Linđo was founded more than 52 years ago by a group of friends in Sydney who wanted a place where the Croatian community could socialise and keep traditional dance and music alive. Franulović, whose family comes from Blato on the island of Korčula, now holds a place at the heart of that story: 40 of the group's 52 years. He started on the dance floor, switched to music as a teenager, and has since played everywhere from Croatian community clubs to the Sydney Opera House — his favourite gig, back in 1987 — plus live television appearances on major Australian networks.
The anniversary was marked at this year's Father's Day Zabava, a community dance night, where the Linđo committee sprang a surprise they'd been quietly plotting since February. Franulović's wife Carol was in on it from the start. Certificates came from Federal MP Dai Le, State MPs David Saliba and Charishma Kaliyanda, Fairfield Mayor Frank Carbone and Multiculturalism Minister Steve Kamper, and Franulović's contribution even made it into the NSW Parliamentary Hansard. Folk band Braća Radić performed, and Kaliyanda's office helped gather four decades of photos and memorabilia.
The family thread runs deep: Franulović met Carol through folkloric dancing with another group, and their daughters Bianca and Sienna grew up around Linđo and now perform with it themselves. He also mentors younger players, including current musician Marko Fry — part of his stated mission to inspire the next generation. A friend at the party summed up his role neatly: without him, there's no music and the groups can't perform, a bit like a goalkeeper whose absence stops the match entirely.
Why should a traveller care? Because stories like this are a reminder that Croatian culture doesn't stop at the Adriatic. Sydney's Croatian community clubs host zabava nights with live tamburica music, dancing and food year-round, and they're often open to visitors curious about the diaspora experience. If you're of Croatian heritage — or just love folk traditions — catching a group like Linđo perform is a genuine cultural outing, and a reminder of how far a small island's traditions can travel.
As for Franulović, he's not planning a farewell tour. His words at the celebration: more playing, travelling and memories, and a heartfelt "hvala svima" — thanks to everyone — who joined the ride.
Story via Croatia Week.
