The Pag Carnival is a tradition that brings togerher all of its citizens with cultural and entertaining events. The winter carnival begins on the first Saturday after the Epiphany and ends on Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. On Saturdays people enjoy tanci (socji) – the masked dances. The Carnival events move to the central town square (pijaca) for the last three days. After the official handover of the town keys, a traditional Pag circle dance is performed to the music by Zadar-born composer Šime Dešpalj. The carnival party is joined by the members of the culture and arts associationed called Družina (‘The Troupe’), who perform the folk drama called The Slave Girl of Pag. The town of Pag also boasts a summer carnival, as the carnival with the longest tradition, has been held on the last weekend in July since 1959.