This year’s Zagreb Cultural Summer ZgKUL – a unique combination of all cultural events during summer in Zagreb, brings a variety of interesting events to locations such as King Tomislav Square, Bundek, Grič, Tuškanac, Maksimir, Opatovina, Ban Jelačić Square, Gradec, and Medvedgrad, it was announced during a press conference held at the Art Pavilion yesterday.
Mayor Milan Bandić thanked everyone who is participating in the organization of Zagreb’ Cultural Summer. “Last year’s edition of ZgKUL was very special thanks to a 2Cellos concert, but I believe that this year will be special in its way as well – we will have a concert by Goran Bregović and the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra called ‘Three Letters from Sarajevo.’ In addition to the musical aspect, the concert will be used to send a political message because our city is known for appreciating, respecting and accepting cultural, national and religious differences.”
Adding that Zagreb has won the best Christmas market destination award in two consecutive years now and that the prestigious Lonely Planet named it a top destination in Europe, the Mayor pointed out that it is sometimes difficult to reach the top, but it’s even harder to stay there. The rich program of Zagreb’s Cultural Summer is aimed at defending these titles.
Ivica Lovrić, head of City Office for Education, Culture, and Sports noted that six years ago, the City of Zagreb, in cooperation with the Zagreb Tourist Board and Croatian Radio Television, started the project of bringing together all summer events in the city – ZgKUL. The main idea was to enrich the cultural and entertainment offers for tourists, but also for locals, who used to leave Zagreb in summer in order to attend cultural events.
Zagreb Cultural Summer will officially begin on June 21, on World Music Day, with the concert of Croatian Radiotelevision Choir and Orchestra at King Tomislav Square.
In total, there will be more than 600 events, with 2,500 artists, and Mr. Lovrić added that he hoped there would be even more visitors than last year, when there were around 200,000.
“The City of Zagreb has won a number of tourist awards in the last few years, and it is certainly due to numerous cultural events that are held here, thanks to which our city has become one of the main tourist destinations,“ said Director of Zagreb Tourist Board Ms. Martina Bienenfeld. She pointed out exhibitions at Zagreb museums, and events such as Design District Zagreb, which deals with sustainable development and ecology, then INmusic festival that attracts guests from all over the world, Zagreb Summer Tour and the legendary Zagreb Courtyards.
Mr. Renato Kunić from Croatian Radio Television said that he was very pleased that the cooperation with the City continues and that the opening concert will be broadcast on Croatian Television, while many other music events will be broadcast on Radio Sljeme. Mr. Kunić added that around 300 of their employees and 200 musicians would participate in Zagreb Cultural Summer.
Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra director Mirko Boch highlighted some of Zagreb Classica events that will take place at King Tomislav Square: Ero the Joker opera, Goran Bregović’s concert, Opera under the stars, Roby Lakatos and Croatian Philharmonic Orchestra concert, and Komedija gala, by Komedija Theatre from Zagreb.
