The Guca trumpet festival, also known as the Dragacevo Assembly, is an annual trumpet festival held in the town of Guca, near the city of Cacak, in the Draga?evo region of western Serbia. Guca is a five-hour bus journey from Belgrade. We were there last year and already preparing ourselves for this year festival!
500,000 visitors make their way to the town of 2,000 people every year, both from Serbia and abroad. Elimination heats earlier in the year mean only a few dozen bands get to compete. Guca’s official festival is split into three parts. Friday’s opening concert, Saturday night celebrations and Sunday’s competition. Friday’s concerts are held at the entrance to the official Guca Festival building. This event features previous winners, each orchestra getting to play three tunes while folk dancers, all kitted out in bright knitting patterns, dance kolos and oros in front of a hyped-up audience.
