Since late 2021, the date for the biggest spiritual-musical spectacle in Croatia and probably this part of Europe had been fixed. After the first concert in 2014 with about 2.000 visitors and up to 18.000 in the Zagreb Arena in 2019, thousands of people waited for June 4, 2022, to finally arrive – about 50.000 worshippers filled the Maksimir Stadium for the 6th ‘Progledaj Srcem’ (translation: “Look with the Heart”) concert. A concert that isn’t only one of the biggest in the Croatian history, but one that is already an important part of Croatia’s future.
Over a thousand individuals took part in the organization of this incredible event and 200 volunteers helped to make it all run smoothly. With the start of an all-day program at 3 pm, which also served as a preparation for the Feast of Pentecost on June 5, one might even say that this year’s ‘Progledaj Srcem’ has grown into a festival. Right before the musical part started, mindful messages were displayed on video walls, one of them “Fear not, we do not condemn, we are all friends here”. From 9 pm, 17 well-known names of Christian worship music in Croatia such as Alan Hržica, Amorose, Božja pobjeda, Božja Slava band, Emanuel, fra Ivan Matić, fra Marin Karačić, klapa ‘Sveti Juraj’ HRM, Rafael Dropulić Rafo, sestre Halužan, sestre Husar, sestre Palić, Toni Cetinski, Vanessa Mioč and Zbor Mihovil accompanied by an orchestra consisting of more than 20 instrumentalists gave the audience an outstanding performance.
Thanks to the written verses of each song on video walls, the whole stadium was able to sing in unity together, all accompanied by dancing and praying. Moreover, while the priest put some of his spiritual thoughts into words, the Arka Korablja, a community of people with and without intellectual disabilities, presented those words in a little act, leaving numerous visitors with tears in their eyes. He concluded this message by saying that they aren’t children with special needs, but that it’s him, who’s a child with special needs – a child who needs to be loved and love others.
By lighting up the Maksimir Stadium with their flashlights, the worshippers made this place shine like a real galaxy, while during the song “Blessing”, stunning fireworks brightened up Zagreb’s skyline.
This year’s ‘Progledaj Srcem’ was again filled with interactive moments of laughter and joy, tears and compassion, but most of all with love, peace, and gratitude. From performers to visitors, the majority cannot explain this incredible experience in words and are still processing the seen, heard, and felt. But one can be said for sure – it has been a unique opportunity for worshippers to show up, meet others, open their hearts, unite, pray and celebrate God together.
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