Veja

Veja is a Croatian ethno group from Pazin in Istria. Goran Farkaš, a singer, multi-instrumentalist and researcher of folk tradition, started it in 2007, when he began exploring the traditional music of Istria. The first line-up was Goran Farkaš, Saša Farkaš, Noel Šuran and Dragan Cvitan, and the group began by playing at local events, with members changing as circumstances allowed. The name means a wake, a ritual night vigil; it is also a word for a branch and the old name of the town of Krk.

Veja plays Istrian folk songs in modern arrangements, on traditional instruments from all over the world: the Istrian bagpipe called mih, gajde, kaval, violin, accordion, guitar, bass, djembe and cajon. Their own songs mix Dinaric and Italian tunes with lesser-known traditions, legends and tales of the region.

The debut album, Dolina mlinova, came out in 2014: ten songs, two of their own and eight traditional ones in new arrangements, recorded in the valley of mills near Pazin and at the Partyzan studio in Pula, and produced by Marijan Jelenić of Nola. "Anka", "Marija" and "Črni orko" became instant hits. In 2012 they had performed "Anka" with the beatboxer Surka and singer Elis Lovrić at the opening of the Pula Film Festival. The second album, Škura ura, came out on vinyl on Menart in 2022, preceded by the single "Teško majki".

The group has sold out clubs across Croatia and played folk festivals in Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, France, Estonia, Belgium and Portugal, including Ethnoambient in Solin and the Viljandi Folk Festival, and in 2012 the Paris jazz club New Morning. The playlist holds both albums.