July 14, 2023 – Another excellent cultural tradition is upon us in the Croatian capital – the 57th Zagreb International Folklore Festival.
And so begins the nicest time of year to be in Zagreb, at least in my opinion. Summer is here, and many locals are decamping to the coast, leaving behind a city in bloom, with emptier streets and a nice cohabitation of tourists and locals.
And there is plenty to do. One of the things I love about Zagreb in summer as I stroll through its ubiquitous squares and parks, is that there is seemingly something happening on every corner. Musical performances – both organised and impromptu – abound, and an innocent evening stroll often turns into a fascinating cultural evening.
None more so than next week…
The streets and squares of Zagreb’s city centre will come alive from 19 to 23 July with the 57th Zagreb International Folklore Festival, a traditional event and one of the most significant gatherings in the field of folklore and traditional culture in Croatia.
On the streets and stages in the centre of Zagreb, numerous performers from Croatia, the region and other countries from around the world showcase their national songs, dances, customs and traditional costumes. Folklore groups from the Croatian diaspora evoke particular emotions. They carefully preserve their roots and nurture their traditions, even thousands of kilometers away, yet still close to their homeland in their hearts.
The Zagreb Folklore Festival, which promotes local heritage and amateur folklore, has been held since 1966. The theme of this year’s festival is the commemoration of the centenary of the Kupa River Expedition, as a tribute and recognition to a group of experts and enthusiastic individuals who, by kayaking along the Kupa River, visited 34 villages and documented the traditional clothing and architectural heritage of that region through words, imagery, scientific research and professional work. In honour of the occasion, this year’s program will include folklore groups from the Pokuplje region, joining to pay tribute to the expedition.
Zagreb residents and their guests warmly welcome the performers from Croatia and around the world who will showcase traditional music and customs from their respective regions on the stages in the city center, specifically at Ban Josip Jelačić Square, Zrinjevac and European Square. This year’s program will also be accompanied by numerous dance and music workshops, exhibitions and concerts, which are always exciting for the audience.
This year’s Zagreb International Folklore Festival will once again have a very international feel. In addition to representation from all regions of Croatia, there will also be folklore performances from Georgia, India, Serbia, Spain, Kosovo, Belgium, Poland, Macedonia, and Turkey.
The festival promotes traditional elements that have been included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, as well as those inscribed in the National Register of Cultural Goods. In 2014, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Croatia and the City of Zagreb declared the festival a cultural event of national significance. Its significant achievements are further confirmed by the fact that it is certified within the international network of folklore festivals, CIOFF (International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts).
This certification demonstrates the program’s high quality, as well as the continuous effort to involve the local community in its activities and maintain an open approach toward the international community.
This year’s festival will have a distinct and innovative visual identity. Its colour scheme has been inspired by the colours found on the costumes of the Pokuplje, which are communicated and reinterpreted through a lively contemporary geometric pattern.
Zagreb International Folklore Festival aims to preserve and promote the rich folklore heritage of Croatia and other countries and to foster intercultural dialogue and exchange of experiences among participants. During the event, visitors have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with various traditions, customs and dances characteristic of various regions and groups of people.
The festival has a long-standing tradition and is one of the most notable cultural events in Zagreb. It gathers lovers of folklore, dance and tradition, offering a unique chance to enjoy the variety and beauty of folklore expression.
Visit Zagreb and during the five-day festival, explore the richness of diverse folklore heritage through dance, songs, music and traditional costumes in the breathtaking parks and streets of the city centre.
You can learn more about the Zagreb International Folk Festival on the official website and view the whole programme here.
