How to define the Croatian capital in a souvenir?
It is that time of the year when, apart from the summer months, Zagreb is visited by the greatest number of tourists. Advent in Zagreb, according to visitors and citizens of Zagreb themselves, each year becomes more and more beautiful, larger and brighter, and anyone who visits it takes wonderful memories back home. The unique ice skating ring in the very centre of the city, mulled wine and fritters, Christmas songs and dance… But what else can tourists take home from Zagreb?
Many will agree that the unique Christmas atmosphere to remember is the most important thing that a city can offer for Advent, but many will also say that tourists do not want to go home without bringing a souvenir which will remind them of the trip. It must be a souvenir which symbolizes the city and which does not need to state in writing the name of the city in order for everyone to know where it came from. But, the Zagreb souvenir simply does not exist. Of course, the souvenir issue is only a reflection of the fact that Zagreb is becoming more and more important tourist city, but remains quite unrecognizable in Europe, reports Vecernji List on December 6, 2015.
Paris has its Eiffel Tower, London has Big Ben, Rome has Coliseum, Vienna has the Schönbrunn Palace… We could continue the list indefinitely, or at least until we come to the Croatian capital. Because, what is the symbol of Zagreb? What reminds you of Zagreb? What is the place, that one building, one monument which is not to be missed in Zagreb and which will be featured on all the postcards and souvenirs? Such symbol does not exist.
There is no question that the city has plenty to offer: from architecture to history, from gastronomy to entertainment. But now, when Zagreb is becoming more and more prominent as a destination for tourists, it has become evident that the city which wants to become a very important tourist centre must also have a clearly defined identity. Because it is not true that Zagreb has nothing to offer, it is just that its potential has not yet been fully exploited. Upper Town, the Cathedral, Funicular… these are just some of the locations in front of which we should see long lines of tourists waiting to visit them. But, symbols of Zagreb should first be identified by the citizens and the city institutions themselves, and then the tourists will follow their lead.
