Croatia's Top Festivals
Explore Croatia's folklore, traditions and music at a few fun festivals, including the contemporary Music Biennale Zagreb and the edgy Hartera Festival.
By:
Valerie Conners
Tomislav Medak, flickr
Organized by the Croatian Composers Society, the Biennale has also begun to feature lectures, workshops and symposiums covering topics such as 20th-century classical compositions, to accompany the live music. Most notably, over the years festival organizers have collaborated with major figures in contemporary music who in the past have included John Cage, Igor Stravinsky and Bruno Maderna, helping solidify the Biennale's reputation at the forefront of the genre.
Eurokaz Festival
Darek Zon, flickr
The festival strives to highlight aspects of the arts in countries around the world -- for example, focusing on new theater in Italy, modern dance in Africa, traditional Asian theater and French filmmaking. Film and video screenings, discussions, symposia, workshops and concerts pepper the festival, often corresponding to performances. While an array of international performances are featured, the festival also serves to highlight the Croatian arts scene, with performances from national theaters and artists, such as internationally renowned Croatian artist and video maker Dalibor Martinis.
Tomi, flickr
The 3-day festival features performances by more than 200 artists, and attracts some 35,000 attendees. Recent bands to hit the Hartera stage include the Norwegian electronica duo Röyksopp; the London-based dub music band Dub Pistols; and the British indie-rock band the Klaxons. Festival-goers even have the option of camping onsite at the festival, or staying at nearby hostels or hotels, like the Hotel Continental.
Reuters
While the festival's theme varies each year, in 2013 it will be celebrating Croatia entry into the European Union, and visitors can expect a focus on a rich variety of European dances such as promenades, contra dances, quadrilles, cotillions, mazurkas, waltzes and polkas. Performances are typically held in Zagreb's Old Town, on stages in the Gradec neighborhood and the central Ban Jelačić Square. Attendees can even bring their dancing shoes if they wish; a series of folkloric dance lessons are open to the public throughout the 6-day festival.
Chris Haring & Loizen Bauer
Festival events are held at theaters throughout Zagreb and even in some performance spaces in Rijeka. While many of the festival's events are geared toward the dance connoisseur, such as its roundtable discussions ancillary to specific performances, novices will enjoy the festival's dance exhibitions, performances by top-notch choreographers and film screenings.
Next Up
What to Know About Moving to France
Are you about to pack your bags and move to France? Get the information you need before you make the move.
Traversing Edinburgh's Fringe Festival With Kids
Find family-friendly tips for traveling to Edinburgh, Scotland.
Postcard From Iceland Food and Fun Festival
Reykjavik, Iceland
Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebration
Celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's 60 years as England's reigning monarch.
London 2012 Festival
The Big Dance 2012 and Tate Modern's Damien Hirst Exhibition are just a few fun activities that are part of the London's 2012 Festival.
Your Guide to Munich's Oktoberfest
Join the 6 million visitors who head to Munich, Germany, each fall for beers and brats at the classic Bavarian Oktoberfest.
What to Miss in London
Madame Tussauds and Big Ben are just a couple places it's OK to miss if you're visiting London. Get the details about these tourist spots and more.
7 Hours in Barcelona
How to make the most of very little time in the Catalan capital city.
Where to Stay in Amsterdam for the Best Canal Views
Find picturesque, waterfront digs at every budget.
Can't Get to Europe This Summer? A Scottish Highland Games is a Close Second
Experience the British Isles without the pricey airfare. There are many great Scottish festivals in North America where you can watch ancient athletic games (caber toss!), enjoy excellent food, beer and whisky all while listening to traditional bagpipers or modern Celtic music.
