Several years ago, I attended a choir competition in Cork, Ireland. Such journeys are not only a great opportunity to hear and meet other choirs from around the world, but also to immerse oneself in the local music and culture.
As part of our visit, we were taken to a performance of Irish folk songs in a local pub. The music, performed by a couple of men with guitars, was pleasant, but it left me unsatisfied. I turned to our Irish host and asked, "But this is not genuine Irish folk music, is it?" She brushed me off, saying, "Of course it is."
The next day, our choir performed during a mass. After the mass, the locals invited us for food and socialising. While we were eating and chatting, two local parishioners suddenly picked up a violin and a whistle and started playing. Enchanted, I smiled to our Irish host, who smiled back and said, "Now I understand what you were complaining about. Indeed, this is genuine folk music!"
The lesson of this story is that tourists are usually exposed to "traditional" music that is actually pop music, which may sometimes be inspired by folk music but very often has nothing in common with it. And often, local people, even those who are proficient in music, cannot tell the difference. Slovenia and Croatia are no exception in this regard.
The most popular "folk" music in Slovenia is the so-called Narodno-zabavna glasba (folk-pop music), known as Oberkreiner Music in the German-speaking world. It typically features several instruments – accordion, double bass, guitar, clarinet, trumpet – and singing. However, this music has almost nothing to do with traditional Slovenian folk music. In fact, it was single-handedly invented by the Avsenik brothers in the mid-20th century and is actually inspired by traditional Czech music.
Genuine Slovenian folk music is almost entirely a cappella, and because it is not as commercially successful, it is quite difficult to access. Fortunately, Slovenia is well known for its choral singing culture, and at least part of every Slovenian choir's repertoire consists of genuine folk music or music composed in the authentic folk style.
The situation in Croatia is more complex. This relatively small country features five distinct folk music traditions.
Continental Croatia is well known for its ubiquitous tamburica music, where the tamburica is a distinctive local stringed instrument from the lute family. Folk music typically features a group of several tamburicas, a double bass, and singing. In addition to folk songs, there are many modern compositions that use the same ensemble but are not in the spirit of folk traditions, so the best way to experience authentic folk music is by attending one of the many tamburica music festivals. A bećarac, special form of tamburica music, is also on UNESCO's List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
In continental Croatia, there is also a tradition of a cappella music. Most of it has faded into oblivion, with one notable exception: Međimurska popevka (Međimurje chant). Traditionally a single-part a cappella form with strong melodic influence from neighbouring Hungary, it is now often accompanied by various instruments. As it is not as commercially successful as other types of "folk" music, one is more likely to encounter genuine folk music or music composed in the authentic folk style. It is also on UNESCO's List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The most famous coastal traditional music is Dalmatian folk music. This tradition consists of two types of songs: klapa songs, a cappella songs traditionally performed exclusively by men, and city songs, which are usually accompanied by mandolins, another distinctive local stringed instrument from the lute family. While city songs usually show strong melodic Italian influence, klapa songs sound more rustic and antique. Because of its popularity and demand from tourism, there is plenty of new Dalmatian "folk" music, which does not follow folk traditions and is often of low quality. The best way to experience authentic folk music is by attending one of the many klapa music festivals, the most renowned of which is the Omiš Klapa Festival, established in 1966. Klapa songs are also on UNESCO's List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Another remarkable musical tradition is Istrian folk music. This style features the Istrian scale, a unique six-tone scale, two-part singing, and distinctive instruments such as sopele, shawms, and bagpipes. To an untrained ear, the music sounds unpleasant, which is why it is not popular outside Istria and Kvarner. However, less commercialisation means you are more likely to encounter genuine folk music or music composed in the authentic folk style. For those with a strong musical background, it is a valuable experience. Istrian folk music is also included on UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Ojkanje is a tradition of polyphonic folk singing, most commonly found in the Dalmatian hinterland. It is generally unmelodic and unpleasant to an untrained ear. It is also included on UNESCO's List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
If you want to immerse yourself in something truly new or broaden your musical experience, traditional folk music is the way to go. However, it is often difficult to find performances of genuine folk music, as more popular quasi-folk pop music is slowly replacing it. The decline of folk music knowledge is slowed by numerous festivals and by the deliberate choice of various musical groups to include at least a few genuine pieces in their repertoire. Unfortunately, younger generations are performing and listening to this kind of music less and less.
While Istrian folk music and Ojkanje are immediately recognisable, a good listener can tell a difference also for other folk music traditions. When music sounds slightly off, rustic, and antique, or rhythmically uneven, there is a much greater chance that you have encountered the real thing.
Created by Marko Pinteric.
Updated . Web page has been read by visitors since January 2026.