May 30, 2024 – The Croatian capital is preparing for its Zagreb City Day tomorrow, and a new promo video released this week captures the mood perfectly.
Spring is a wonderful time in most places, but I love the vibe in Zagreb these weeks. Its green spaces are full of people enjoying the sunshine, its cafes full of gossip and laughter, and an increasing number of tourists are enjoying the charms of the city. It remains a very Croatian city, but there is a much more multicultural feel, and there has been a large uptick of people who have discovered the city’s unique charm and are choosing to make it their home. I have been here 3.5 years now, and I love it.
I also really like the new promo video which has just been published, which I think captures the mood well, showcasing the beauty – natural, cultural and architectural – and relaxed lifestyle. Its release also coincides with Zagreb City Day, which takes place tomorrow.
The new video, entitled Zagreb All Inclusive, with a song by internationally famous Croatian singer Ivo Robić (better known as Mr Morgen abroad), the film highlights the diversity and richness of Zagreb’s offer for visitors.
Director of the Zagreb Tourist Board, Martina Bienenfeld, had this to say:
“We are pleased to present something special in honor of our city – we are premiering a new destination film called Zagreb All-Inclusive. This film is not just an invitation to our beautiful city, but an introduction to an experience that will change your perspective, fill you up and inspire you. The special charm of the film is given by the cover of the Italian song I Sing Amore, by our famous singer Ivo Robić, Mr. Morgen. With this film, Zagreb will be promoted in Croatia and the world, and so far we have already shown it at our special presentations in Great Britain, Singapore and the USA. Further promotional activities include showing on Croatia Airlines flights, tourist fairs in Europe and the world, special presentations and through all our online channels and activities.
“I would also like to point out that, from January to May 26, the number of arrivals in Zagreb increased by 13% (444,000), and the number of overnight stays by 8% (894,000) compared to the same period last year. The most numerous arrivals were guests from Germany, USA, Italy, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina; while in terms of overnight stays, guests from the USA are in first place, followed by guests from Germany, Italy, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina. With these results, Zagreb is the first in terms of arrivals at the level of the whole of Croatia.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate everyone on the National Day, May 30, and the Day of our city Zagreb, May 31. Let these days remind us of unity and love for our country and our capital.”
Impressive numbers, and with Americans in number one place for overnight stays, that is a reflection of the big change in perception that Zagreb has undergone in the last ten years as a destination.
And so to Zagreb City Day, which takes place tomorrow, and with some fun activities to mark the capital’s special day, as well as a special religious ceremony at the revered Stone Gate. The programme:
Zagreb Time Machine
11:30 Changing of the Guard – Honorary Company of the Kravat Regiment
The beginning is in front of the Ethnographic Museum
17:00 – 19:00 Folklore scene
Trg kralja Tomislava (17:00-17:45) – Trg bana J. Jelačića (18:00-19:00)
17:00 – 20:00 Characters of the Zagreb Time Machine
Trg bana J. Jelačića, Zrinjevac, Gornji grad
Additional activities on the City of Zagreb Day
1 May–1 November Flower baskets
Hanging Gardens on the Upper and Lower Town lamps (Zagreb Tourist Board)
31 May at 7:00 p.m. Celebration of Mother of God of the Stone Gate
The Celebration of the Mother of God of the Stone Gate, the patron saint of the city of Zagreb, will be held on Friday, 31 May 2024, on the Zagreb City Day. It will begin with the celebration of the Eucharist in front of the Zagreb Cathedral at 7 p.m., led by Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary (Relations with States), Secretariat of State, Holy See, together with Cardinal Josip Bozanić and other bishops, and priests and monks of the City of Zagreb. After the Mass, there will be a procession with candles and the image of the Mother of God of the Stone Gate from the Cathedral, Bakačeva Street, the north side of the Ban Josip Jelačić Square, Radićeva Street to the Stone Gate where the entire program will end.
A special day for Zagreb, just one more reason to check out this fabulous city. Here are 10 reasons why Zagreb is – for me – the best place I have ever lived.
