The month of May is traditionally marked with Zagreb-related events – every year there is a big concert to celebrate the City of Zagreb Day, on May 31. This is the day when the feast to honour Our Lady of Stone Gate (Kamenita vrata), patron saint of Zagreb, is celebrated with a ceremonial procession.
The programme for this year’s celebration was presented at Dverce Palace on May 24.
After the fountains, Trg kralja Tomislava and Trg Dr. Franje Tuđmana, this year’s concert to honour the city will take place at one of the most beautiful and most important parts of Zagreb – St. Mark’s Square.
Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra and Ivan Goran Kovačić Academic Choir, conducted by one of the most prominent contemporary conductors, Maestro Dmitri Kitayenko, will revive the Square, starting at 8:30 p.m. tomorrow, May 27.Kitayenko was the music director of the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra for 14 years, and he has contributed significantly to Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra and Zagreb as music and cultural centre being promoted abroad, which is why he was awarded a City of Zagreb Medal.
Two exhibitions will be presented to the public as well: Edo Murtić’s Nova apstrakcija, which will be opened at 7:30 p.m. on May 27, at Kristofor Stanković Gallery of the Old City Hall, and Zakaj volim Zagreb (Why I love Zagreb), which will close the City of Zagreb Day celebration at 8 p.m. on May 30, at Zagreb City Museum.
There will also be free city tours, a free tourist tram, departing from the Main Square every half an hour, and a free tourist train, departing from the same location every 40 min.
The “Lađa Marathon” (Boat Marathon) crews from the Neretva Valley will visit Jarun, and 20 teams will compete in a marathon which will be held there on May 27.
The closing ceremony will take place at 9 p.m. on May 30 when Najbolji Hrvatski Tamburaši (Best Croatian Tambura Players) and their guests will have a concert at Trg Dr. Franje Tuđmana.
On the actual Zagreb City Day, May 31, Mayor Bandić will traditionally present outstanding citizens and institutions with Zagreb City Awards.
