Travnik’s custom of celebrating spring

Travnik has preserved a special tradition of celebrating the first day of spring, 21 March, by going out into nature and preparing the scrambled eggs. This custom has a deeper meaning because it is linked to cyclical events in the universe, symbolically celebrating the reawakening of nature and the return of life energy.

For children, this event feels as an adventure. In early morning hours, children go to the surrounding hillsides in small groups or gather in courtyards and gardens within the neighbourhood, where they prepare the scrambled eggs together. Adults do the same. Interestingly, this custom takes place exclusively in the town area and is not known to be present outside of Travnik.

Kajganijada of Travnik (Travnik Scrambled Egg Festival)

This ancient custom inspired the creation of the event called the Travnik Scrambled Egg Festival, which has been held in the Old Town of Travnik since 2003 in organisation of the Travnik Heritage Museum and Travnik Municipality. In 2011, the Municipal Council of Travnik decided to officially declare 21 March the Day of the Municipality of Travnik. In this way, the Travnik Scrambled Egg Festival became a part of the official programme of the Day of the Municipality of Travnik.

Symbolic preservation of tradition

The Travnik Scrambled Egg Festival further contributes to nurturing and preservation of this ancient custom. The event takes place in parallel with the departures of smaller, individual groups of Travnik residents to nature, where they symbolically welcome spring by consuming scrambled eggs.

On the day of the event, citizens, children, young people, representatives of non-governmental organizations, Travnik Heritage Museum, Travnik Municipality, as well as delegations of sister towns from other countries gather in the Old Town from the early morning hours to enjoy socialising and celebrating the coming spring in nature, with music and with inevitable scrambled eggs.