About the Croatian Royal Ball
On 23 November 2025, the Adelaide Town Hall will open its doors to an event of rare dignity and splendour
"The Croatian Royal Ball", commemorating the 1100th Jubilee of the Croatian Kingdom (925-2025)
This landmark celebration honours more than a millennium of Croatian history while enriching the cultural life of South Australia with an unforgettable evening of music, dance, and tradition.
A Historic Milestone
In 925 AD, King Tomislav was mentioned for the first time as King of Croatia, marking the beginning of Croatian statehood and its recognition within the tapestry of early medieval Europe. Across the centuries, Croatia has endured trials, transformations, and triumphs, preserving its language, heritage, and national identity. The jubilee of 2025 stands as a testament to that resilience and continuity. This is not the first time Croatians have honoured such a momentous anniversary. The 1000th Jubilee in 1925 was celebrated across the homeland with great fervour. Commemorations were held in cities, towns, and villages throughout Croatia, with festive parades, solemn Masses, civic ceremonies, cultural performances, and patriotic gatherings uniting the people. The celebrations of 1925 strengthened the national pride during a period of political difficulty, reminding the Croatian people of the enduring roots of their statehood.
A Living Tradition in Adelaide
A century later, Croatians in the diaspora will continue this legacy in Adelaide, bringing the spirit of Central Europe to Australian soil. For one evening, the Adelaide Town Hall, with its Victorian grandeur and historic Auditorium, will be transformed into a royal ballroom. Guests will experience a grand orchestral performance by the Norwood Symphonic Orchestra, refined ballroom dance performances in the European tradition, and an atmosphere of festivity, elegance, and joyous socialising. The Ball will be a meeting place of cultures, where the heritage of Croatia is offered as a gift to the broader Australian community.
More Than a Celebration
The Royal Ball is not merely a night of entertainment but a bridge between past and present, between homeland and diaspora. Just as the jubilee of 1925 inspired pride across Croatia, the celebration of 2025 seeks to inspire belonging, unity, and cultural enrichment here in Australia. Guests - whether participants on the dance floor or spectators in the gallery - will share in the splendour of this once-in-a-century occasion. In music, movement, and memory, the Ball will honour the Croatian story while weaving it into Adelaide’s cultural fabric.
Organisers
The Croatian Catholic Chaplaincy in Adelaide (Hrvatski Katolički Centar u Adelaideu) has the honour of organising the Royal Ball in celebration of the 1100th Jubilee of the Croatian Kingdom.
The Catholic Church in Croatian Identity
From the earliest centuries of Croatian history, the Catholic Church has been inseparably bound to the nation’s identity. It was under the blessing of the Church that King Tomislav was crowned, affirming Croatia’s place among the Christian kingdoms of early medieval Europe. Throughout the centuries, the Church remained a guardian of faith, culture, and language, safeguarding the very soul of the Croatian people. Its role in nurturing traditions and sustaining a sense of unity has been central to the survival of Croatia’s national being across eleven centuries
The Chaplaincy as Community Center
This same mission continues in the Croatian diaspora. The Croatian Catholic Chaplaincy in Adelaide serves not only as a place of worship but as a vibrant centre of community life, where traditions are celebrated, the language is preserved, and the younger generations are formed in both faith and heritage. Through liturgy, pastoral care, and social events, the Chaplaincy ensures that Croatian identity remains alive and flourishing in South Australia.
Extending Mission to the Wider Community
By bringing the Royal Ball to the Adelaide Town Hall, the Chaplaincy extends this mission to the wider community, offering an evening of beauty, dignity, and belonging. It is both a cultural gift to Adelaide and a proud witness to the enduring bond between faith, tradition, and the Croatian nation across 1100 years of history.
Ready to Join Us?
Be part of this historic celebration of the 1100th Jubilee of the Croatian Kingdom. Join us for an evening of grandeur in the Adelaide Town Hall.
