GIMNAZIJSKO UČENIČKO DRUŠTVO SVAČIĆ
GYMNASIUM STUDENT ASSOCIATION SVAČIĆ

Summary/Abstract: Student association Svačić was founded in 1906 as a tamburitza orchestra operating within Varaždin Gymnasium and later it was converted into a tamburitza music association that held concerts outside school as well. Led by teacher Milan Stahuljak it consisted of a high-quality tamburitza orchestra and choir as well as a chamber orchestra. By summer 1913 they used to organize music and declamatory productions which were sometimes complemented with amateur shows and organized ballroom dances. Soon thereafter Svačić became one of the must-have participants of all the important events in Gymnasium, and their programs added new qualities to the cultural and entertainment offer in Varaždin. Before World War I teacher Tomislav Miškulin became their choirmaster and he put special emphasis on concert activities of the association. As soon as the political circumstances became more favorable (during and after the war) Svačić performances aided significantly in raising resources for the poor Gymnasium students and casualties of war. As a consequence of the persistent work by Milan Kaman, the new head of Varaždin Gymansium, the dictatorial regime of the king Aleksandar eventually allowed the foundation of Varaždin Gymnasium association „Svačić“ in 1930 so that they may supervise extracurricular activities of the school. The activity of the association was defined by a rulebook („Pravilnik“) which was approved by the Ministry of Education and it was set up through various sections. The first sections to be founded were the music, science, and literary sections, and in the upcoming years sports, visual arts, chess and philatelic sections were set up as well. The board of teachers appointed teachers who were leaders of particular sections which in turn held meetings where they elaborated programs for the so-called soirees. Those were events where sections presented their activities within the school or for the general population. Sometimes they even represented the school on a more formal level as well.

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