The Town Cultural Centre is responsible for the Arts in Metković. Its impressive building was designed by the architect Aleksandar Freudenreich, and took almost thirty years to complete. Within the complex there is a theatre hall, one of the most beautiful summer theatres in Croatia, a large exhibition hall and other facilities. All theatre performances, book promotions, exhibitions of artistic works, festivals, folklore performances, political meetings, etc. take place here. Metković has a traditionally rich cultural life. The amateur theatrical society has been active since 1875, with some breaks. It performed its first performances in the Croatian Neretva Reading Room, which is the oldest organization in Metković founded in 1873. They mark significant anniversaries and events in national history. Older people still remember the superb performances of the Metković amateurs all over Croatia (“Dundo Maroje”, “Posljednji Zrinski”, Gogol’s “Wedding”, etc.) Theatre has influenced town life school group, the society has managed to attract a great number of members over its half-century history. It upholds the tradition of the a great deal, as it does even today. Another important cultural society in the town is KUD “Metković”. Founded as a folklore grammar Neretva music and dance heritage and also contributes to the renaissance of Neretva folk costumes. The International Review of Folklore under the name “Na Neretvu mjesečina pala” (“Moonshine Falls on the Nereva”) has been a highlight for decades of the activity of the society. One of the oldest Metković cultural societies is the Town Brass Band founded in 1886, which has achieved notable successes in its long existence. The famous musician Klement Visković, who was well known in Vienna, started out in the society. During the celebration of the hundredth anniversary of the Town Brass Band, Visković donated funds for the construction of a Music building. The branch office of the Matica hrvatska (Croatian Matrix) is a large local publishing house; it also organizes art exhibitions, lectures and other cultural gatherings. Several choirs are also active as well as harmony groups (“klape”). Well-known are “Zbor župe sv. Ilije” and “Zbor župe sv. Nikole”. Some outstanding Croatian writers come from Metkovic such as Ivan Slamnig, Stojan Vučičević and Vladimir Pavlović. Obrad Gluščević, a film director and the author of one of the best documentary films in Croatian cinematography “People from the Neretva” paid great homage to his native town and the Neretva valley with this work.
