Mišo Kovač buried at Mirogoj, laid to rest beside son Edi

Mišo Kovač was buried today (Wednesday) at the Mirogoj cemetery in Zagreb, in a private family ceremony, and laid to rest beside his son Edi.

The legendary singer died on Saturday near Split at the age of 86.

On Tuesday — a day the Government declared a day of national mourning — a large public farewell took place at Poljud stadium, organised by Hajduk, Torcida and the Croatian Musicians' Union. Around 10,000 fans and fellow musicians attended and sang many of his best-known hits.

An especially emotional moment came when the vehicle carrying the remains passed through the stadium to the song "Poljubi zemlju po kojoj hodaš", which the entire arena sang. The car with the coffin drove under the eastern, western and northern stands, and more than 30,000 people saw him off with verses from "Samo nas nebo rastavit može".

Many friends and colleagues bade farewell with music, while the prayer was led by fra Ivan Utješinović. Prime Minister Plenković attended the farewell and emphasised that Kovač was the singer with the most records sold and a man who left a deep mark on Dalmatia and all of Croatia.

Journey through Dalmatia and final tributes

After the Poljud ceremony the coffin travelled to Zadar, passing through numerous towns where citizens gathered to pay their respects. Thousands also gathered earlier in his hometown Šibenik, where on the Republic of Croatia Square the crowd sang hits such as "Dalmatia u moje oko", "Ako me ostaviš" and "Jedan dan život".

Mišo Kovač remains recorded as one of the most famous and popular singers of popular music in the region; his career spanned several generations and his records sold more than 20 million copies. His songs have long become part of the cultural heritage.

A commemoration in honour of Mate Mišo Kovač will be held on Wednesday, 11 November, at 12:00 in the Small Hall of the Vatroslav Lisinski Concert Hall in Zagreb.

Photo: press material from the event