The 1st of May in Medjugorje – the Golden Harp 2009.

date: 02.05.2009.

An exceptionally large number of pilgrims who came to Medjugorje for the weekend of May 1, springtime and 13 children choirs who sung during the evening Mass on May 1st, were the occasion to celebrate the evening prayer program at the outside altar earlier as usually.

The Golden Harp, a traditional meeting of children choirs from the parishes in Herzegovina, took place for the second consecutive time in Medjugorje on May 1st. This year, 13 choirs took part in the program. Every choir sung two songs, one according to a free choice, and a given one. The program began at 3 PM and was inaugurated by Fr. Petar Vlašić, parish priest of Medjugorje. He encouraged and motivated little singers and their directors. Sanja Pehar led through the program. After the musical program, all the choirs sung during the evening mass at 7 PM.

The basic task of the Golden Harp is the renewal of the liturgical singing, the encouragement of collaboration between choir leaders, as well as promotion of the creative spirit of composers. The first Golden Harp took place on July 1st, 1984 in Kočerin, in Herzegovina, and gathered together about 200 little singers. The initiative came from Fr. Mićo Pinjuh, OFM, parish priest in Kočerin. The Golden Harp is not a competition, so all the choirs independently of their presentation got recognition for their efforts.

This year, the Golden Harp was marked by a special event: celebration of the ten years of artistic collaboration between the composer maestro Djelo Jusic and three Medjugorje choirs, “Kraljica Mira“, “Magnificat“ and “Golubići mira“, directed by sister Slavica Kozul. Djelo Jusic, who came from Dubrovnik for this special occasion, received a special honor and gratitude for his devoted and inspired work.

As a surprise, he received the CD and the songbook „Ave Maria“, with spiritual songs, which he composed for the Medjugorje choirs.