Friday, 11 December 2020

Virtual Christmas Windows: How AR is Augmenting Advent in Zagreb Reality

December 11, 2020 - The pandemic has necessitated a fresh approach for Advent in Zagreb. Meet Virtual Christmas Windows, a new AR approach to the festive season. 

The uncertainty caused by coronavirus has entered every aspect of our lives this year, nowhere more so than event planning.  

Big events necessarily need to be planned in advance, and with the uncertainty of a fresh outbreak, the challenges of adapting to late changes are considerable. Nowhere has this been more true than the award-winning Advent in Zagreb, which has become one of the defining tourism spectacles of the Croatian capital in a short space of time, after Zagreb was voted Best Christmas Market in Europe three years in a row. The city in December was transformed from a relatively quiet winter metropolis to a beacon of light and festive cheers, attracting hundreds of thousands of tourists and providing a late-season boost for the Croatian tourism industry. 

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The tourism chiefs decided that Advent in Zagreb 2020 would go ahead, albeit in a very different format to previous years. With a strong emphasis on art and culture, a rich programme of concerts can be enjoyed virtually, and efforts were made to give the city its festive feel without the crowds gathering for their traditional mulled wine and sausages in the wooden stalls dotted all over the city. 

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One of the most innovative ways of achieving this is the Zagreb Virtual Christmas Windows project, the first time that Augmented Reality (AR) has been used in such a way at Advent in Zagreb.  For many people, this will be their first experience with Augmented Reality, allowing them to see and interact with virtual, 3D objects, inspiring and heartwarming art, all of which can be accessed with your smartphone.

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The project has been developed in partnership with AR specialists Equinox XR, which is run by Ivan Voras, co-founder of the popular Surove Strasti podcast. The artwork was inspired by the holiday season, by the need for people to stay safe indoors, and by the stylised look of some of the old town buildings. Equinox received the 2D artwork envisioned by Zoran Djukic and drawn by Mateja Kovac, which was then transformed to a 3D experience by 3D designer, Igor Puskaric. The artwork depicts windows in wintertime, with people staying safe in their homes. Viewers can peek into the windows and see a slice of life, accompanied by appropriate sounds and music specific to each window.

It is a very atmospheric and immersive experience, an art form which enriches a location with visual and auditory cues and pulls the viewer into a certain mood, while being present in familiar places.

The AR artwork can be found in 20 locations all over Zagreb, in parks and squares. 

In order to access the content, simply download the Equinox XR application, which is available on Google Play here, and in the iStore here. Once you have opened the app, go to 'Advent Zagreb' and get started! The app will then display information on what is available in the immediate vicinity. Simply click on the icon which appears on your mobile phone screen, and you will be guided to the exact place where the exhibition is located. By rotating your mobile phone, as if you are to take a photo, you can go through the exhibition and interactively participate in it - take photos or share content on social media. You can get a teaser in the video below.

If you are unable to make it to Zagreb this Advent, you could still have the opportunity to experience Virtual Christmas Windows in your home town. There are plans to expand this service to locations around Zagreb, other cities in Croatia, and even internationally. More information as we get it, but as you can see from the map above, Pula, Split, Rijeka and Osijek have also been included. 

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A nice festive touch in these socially distanced times, and a great example of how technology and tradition can adapt to the unique challenges of 2020. 

To learn more about the Advent in Zagreb 2020 programme, visit the official website

For the latest news from Zagreb, visit the dedicated TCN section

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And some images from Split...

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Friday, 27 November 2020

Huge Zagreb Christmas Tree Arrives in Time for Advent

November 27, 2020 – A towering Zagreb Christmas tree has been placed on Trg bana Josipa Jelačića in the heart of the Croatian capital. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

A towering Zagreb Christmas tree has been placed on Trg bana Josipa Jelačića. It arrives in time for the start of the Advent season, which begins officially this weekend.

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Standing between 15 metres and 20 metres in height, the Zagreb Christmas tree is so impressive it might just rival the famous statue of Josip Jelačić himself as the most eyecatching monument on the square. By the time its lights are added, we certainly wouldn't put money on Josip for the title.

A giant Christmas tree is a traditional December sight on this main square at the heart of the Croatian capital. Although it's not the only one. There are usually around 40 Christmas trees placed in public parks and squares around the city, Zagreb doesn't do Christmas half-heartedly.

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Advent celebrations in the city usually commence with the lighting of a candle by the Manduševac water feature on Trg bana Josipa Jelačića. The appearance of this first flame is the marker for the city's Christmas lights to be turned on, including those of the Zagreb Christmas tree.

We can't be sure if the Zagreb Christmas tree that now stands on Trg bana Josipa Jelačića is exactly the same one, but it does look remarkably like a giant pine tree moved from private property on Gradišćanska ulica a couple of days ago. If it is that pine, then one local resident reckons the Zagreb Christmas tree is over 35 years old. It towered above the dwelling in whose grounds it lay. Local residents were sad to see it go. But, during a year in which Zagreb has experienced its strongest earthquake in 100 years, plus hundreds of aftershocks, it's perhaps understandable why the landowners were willing to let this giant go. Two younger pine trees remain on the plot.

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This article's final two photos were taken by © Zoran Stajčić

Thursday, 26 November 2020

Advent in Zagreb 2020: a Comprehensive Overview

November 26, 2020 - Advent in Zagreb 2020 is scheduled to kick off on Saturday. A comprehensive look at a largely online event with a festive Croatian background. 

As the craziest year in the history of tourism enters its final weeks, there is one major event in the Croatian calendar to go - Advent. 

Advent tourism in Croatia is a relatively new thing. Until relatively recently, apart from a few stalls in some cities, it was not really celebrated as a tourism spectacle. That all changed several years ago, when Zagreb decided to expand its Advent offer from a small event on the main square to a more comprehensive offer all over the city. 

The results were spectacular. Rather than hibernating for the winter months, Zagreb locals delighted in the lively spirit of Advent in Zagreb, welcoming hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over Europe and beyond. So successful was the initiative that Zagreb was voted best Christmas market in Europe three years in a row. The Advent promotion has helped the Croatian capital emerge from the shadows of more famous capital city neighbours such as Vienna, Prague and Budapest, to become a desirable destination in its own right. Lonely Planet even named Zagreb the best destination in Europe in 2017. 

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So what of Advent in Zagreb 2020? Would it go ahead?

With such an unpredictable situation regarding the pandemic, any decision to proceed would have to include flexibility, and it is clear that Advent in Zagreb 2020 would look a LOT different to previous years.

And so it will. Advent in Zagreb 2020 will go ahead from Saturday until New Year's Day, but if you are expecting to huddle around mulled wine watching the ice skating or sampling local sausages from the wooden stalls usually dotted around the centre, you will be disappointed. 

Instead, the authorities have decided on a strategy which brings out the beauty of festive Zagreb, while using technology to promote the art and cultural treasures of the festive season, while providing enticing content to allow visitors to enjoy the city. With a close eye on the epidemiological situation, this year's event has several novelties and is expected to attract a considerable participation all over the globe through its online streaming. By preserving the magic of the city at this special time of year, the memories of Advent in Zagreb will be fresh, with the sincere hope that it will be close to business as usual for Advent in Zagreb 2021. 

The airlines seem to expect Advent visitors. As TCN has reported in recent days, several airlines have announced a resumption or increase in flights to Zagreb during the festive period, with Turkish Airlines alone selling 5,700 seats. Qatar and Austrian have also announced plans, making the Croatian capital quite accessible for those who want to visit. 

So how will Advent in Zagreb 2020 look like, and what is there to look forward to?

"Every year we try to enrich our Advent with novelties and we have decided that this year, which is extraordinary by all parameters, will not be an exception," explained Zagreb Tourist Board Director, Martina Bienenfeld. "So we prepared the Light of Advent project where we, with 10 institutions in the Upper Town, will decorate their windows in the holiday spirit, and we invite tenants and everyone else to become part of this initiative. Namely, with this project we want to begin a warm story, bring positive emotions, create a sense of community and, ultimately, encourage our fellow citizens to get involved and thus give their contribution to Advent.

"Another novelty is the Zagreb Nativity Scene, more precisely the online exhibition of photographs of Christmas nativity scenes taken from 2007 to 2020, and there is also an interactive augmented reality exhibition Virtual Christmas Windows. This exhibition will bring a touch of Christmas atmosphere using animated motifs of this year's Advent in Zagreb, and will be set in 20 locations in the city in parks, squares, and large open spaces."

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Music will be a core theme of Advent in Zagreb 2020, with no less than 9 separate music programmes and 95 concerts in all. These will take place in concert halls and outdoors, with the appropriate measures adhered to, as well as streamed online. The 9 programmes offer a diverse cultural choice - Evenings with Brahms; The Festival of Advent and Christmas Songs; Advent Classic Fest; Advent concerts of Zagreb Soloists; Advent concerts of the Zagreb Chamber Orchestra; Zagreb Harp Festival; Advent under the Lantern; Concert from the Christmas Balconies; and Advent Postcards from Zagreb. You can check out the full musical programme here

There will also be plenty of cultural attractions, with something for all the family. These include the Ilica Project: Q'ART Community Festival, bringing the best from local craftsmen, exhibitors, music and other programmes.  The 10th exhibition of the Association of Friends of Croatian Nativity Scene at the Ethnographic Museum presents 42 nativity scenes from Zagreb and all over Croatia. 

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Zagreb is a city of museums, and Advent at the Museum will see some special prices and offers from some of its best-known museums. Santa Claus will be putting in appearances at the Museum of Broken Relationships, the Museum of Illusions and the Zagreb Chocolate Museum. Perhaps the most intriguing museum travel experience is to be had at the recently-opened Museum of Hangovers, where one can take an alcoholic tour of Advent drinks around the world, while those yearning for memories of a pre-pandemic world should check out the Zagreb 80s Museum, which will be offering both a holiday atmosphere akin to that bygone era, including mulled wine prepared to a recipe of the time.  If you manage to visit all five museums (all of which are at a discounted price), you will go into a prize draw. 

The Vatroslav Lisinski Concert Hall will be holding a number of concerts, while the Theatre Mala Scena will be providing entertainment from the stage, pending the epidemiological situation. 

There is also lots to enjoy for the little ones, One of the most intriguing is called Fairytale to Go: Little Red Riding Hood, Wolf and Grandma, which will take place weekly in the forest close to Ribnjak Park. The classic fairytale is told through headphones as participants walk through the woods, hearing the perspectives of each character in the story.  But this is a very active enactment of the famous fairytale, and it comes with karate practice with the wolf, flower painting with Little Red Riding Hood, and helping Grandma tell the story of the long-nosed princess and the dragon. And when the kids are finished with that, head to the Mini Train Museum and the Backo Mini Express, the fifth-largest model railway in Europe. More details on all these programmes here.  

Advent in the Croatian capital has had a very active element to it for a number of years now - the Zagreb Advent Run. This year's race will necessarily be different due to the situation, but that does not mean any less fun. Indeed, this year's race will be run over three days, with participants able to choose the route they want, finishing at the Westin Hotel, dressed as usual in the seasonal costumes of Santa,  fairies, elves and other Xmas superstars. Run as much as you feel - more details here

Due to the current situation, the usual crowds will be absent, which will make Advent in Zagreb 2020 all the more special. The city will be festively decorated, adding a little more romance to a quiet stroll through its parks and squares. A great new addition to this year's event is the introduction of AR, with some 20 squares and parks brought to life with engaging content using augmented reality via a specialist app. Learn more about the Virtual Christmas Windows app from Equinox XR.

A responsible approach to the current situation means that the traditional little wooden stalls serving mulled wine and culinary specialities will not be on show this year, and the gastronomic choices in general are very dependent on the latest COVID-19 situation. Currently, it has been announced that bars and restaurants will be closed until December 21 - TCN will bring you the latest changes.   

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Zagreb's hotels are open and waiting for your visit. Several have prepared seasonally-themed offers, details of which you can find here.

Advent in Zagreb 2020 will be unlike any other before or after. Not everything will go according to plan for sure, but one thing is certain - the city will once again look magical with its unique atmosphere. Come and enjoy it, either online on in person, before normal Advent service is restored next year. 

For the full Advent in Zagreb 2020 programme and further information, visit the official website.

For the latest news on the coronavirus situation, follow the dedicated section

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Tuesday, 10 November 2020

Instead of a Market, Here's the First Book About Advent in Zagreb

November 10, 2020 – Hrvoje Dečak, author of the first book about Advent in Zagreb, believes it will at least slightly replace the "real" Advent this winter, and that it will be a valuable Zagreb souvenir in the future as well.

A walk through the decorated center of Zagreb, drinking mulled wine at the small houses, ice-skating on the beautiful ice rink on King Tomislav Square are just some of the memories that bind us to the Zagreb Christmas Fair Advent in Zagreb, which this year, unfortunately, due to the coronavirus pandemic, we will not be able to relive.

Well, not on the Zagreb streets, but inside the cover of the eponymous book “Advent in Zagreb”. At the end of November, right at the time when the "real" Advent was supposed to begin, the first book about the most important Zagreb manifestation will be published.

 

Available in English as well

It is the work of long-time Croatian journalist Hrvoje Dečak, who was amazed by the Zagreb Advent and its huge popularity from year to year and decided to preserve a trace of it.

"My admiration for the creativity of the people who create the Zagreb Advent – and I think Croatians are extremely creative people – prompted me to inquire if there is a book about it. When I was convinced that there isn't one, I suggested to the director and the editor of the Publishing house 'Meridijani' where I work, prof. Petra Somek, to make a book about Advent," explains Dečak, noting that the book, above all, brings 120 gorgeous photos of last year's Advent variegation, signed by the prominent Croatian photographer Romeo Ibrišević.

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Zrinjevac Park during the last year's Advent in Zagreb / Romeo Ibrišević

"In the text of the book, we summarized what Advent is, where Croatia and Zagreb are, when Advent variegation began to appear on the streets of Zagreb, and we briefly described the components of Advent in Zagreb as it was until the last winter: locations in the city, food, drinks, souvenirs, cultural and other events. There is a line about Zagreb and the people of Zagreb as well," describes Dečak.

They immediately decided to make the book bilingual – in Croatian and English, because Zagreb has been especially popular among tourists from all over the world in recent years, as evidenced by the three consecutive titles of the Best Christmas Fair in Europe in 2016,  2017, and 2018 awarded by the European Best Destinations organization.

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Advent in Zagreb 2019 / Romeo Ibrišević

'Books can preserve the content'

However, at the time they started writing it, the authors could not have guessed that the world would be hit by a pandemic and that there would be no favorite Zagreb Christmas fair, except in a symbolic form. This makes this book special because this year it will at least partially replace Advent in Zagreb.

Dečak notes that "Advent in Zagreb", in addition to beautiful photographs, brings three interesting additions. The first of them briefly describes Croatian Christmas customs. The second brings interesting facts about Zagreb, such as the shortest funicular in the world, the Linen Book of Zagreb (the longest Etruscan inscription in the world that wrapped the mummy in the Archaeological Museum in Zagreb), and the world-famous Professor Balthazar. The third edition describes the short history of Zagreb and Croatia, where the authors chronologically described the most important events in Zagreb, but also in the Croatian history so that tourists and other foreigners can learn something about us.

"We tried to say very succinctly, but clearly, the main thing about the key events and people of the 20th century, because in the world, there are still a lot of distorted views of Croatia, its people, and recent history," said Dečak.

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Rich offer of Croatian traditional products on the stands of Advent in Zagreb 2019 / Romeo Ibrišević

The book can be ordered in the editorial office of the publishing house "Meridijani", and it is possible to get a 20 percent discount until November 27. After that, the book will be available on the premises of "Meridijani" in Samobor (Obrtnička 26), on their webshop, and in bookstores.

"Media articles are scattered, but in a book, something can still be conjoint and permanently preserved, and at the same time easily accessible. Admittedly, some predict that books will die out, but I don't believe in that," says Dečak confidently.

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The book "Advent in Zagreb" / Source: Meridijani

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Wednesday, 4 November 2020

No Traditional Format of Advent in Zagreb Event this December

ZAGREB, Nov 4, 2020 - During the Advent season, Zagreb will be decorated and illuminated for Christmas and the New Year, however, there will be no traditional format of the Advent in Zagreb event due to the epidemiological circumstances.

Mayor Milan Bandic said on Wednesday that some cultural events would be scheduled, Advent and Christmas decorations would be set up and several stands would also be installed for local service businesses in the city center.

However, there would be no traditional format of the Advent in Zagreb, he told local radio.

The epidemic of coronavirus also forced the city authorities to cancel the Interliber book fair. The fair will be organized online, and the mayor promised financial support to the publishers and bookshops.

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Tuesday, 29 September 2020

When Starts Christmas In Croatia? Decorations Go Up Early Autumn

September 29, 2020 – One surprised shopper couldn't help but laugh and photograph as telltale signs of Christmas in Croatia appeared this week over her local supermarket

As long had been suspected by city residents, it has been officially announced that Zagreb's world-famous Advent celebrations will this year go ahead. Replanned under epidemiological guidelines, kućice (small vending houses), stages and spectacular lights will once again bring the sights, scents, sounds, tastes and cheer of the festive season to the capital this December.

388a6e8be38dfd8ceff1acc856da3b20.jpgAdvent in Zagreb © Julien Duval

In the era of Coronavirus, you might be able to ask people to be a bit quieter on their nights out, but there is absolutely no chance you can hold back Christmas in Croatia.

With Zagreb Advent now lasting for over one month - from the last day of November to the end of January's first week - the festive season is already stretched quite far, perhaps reflecting just how much residents enjoy Christmas in Croatia. But, this year, the marking of Yuletide has started earlier than ever before.

The setting of the late summer sun seems to have been the signal for one supermarket to begin bringing in the Christmas cheer. One surprised shopper couldn't help but laugh and photograph yesterday when she saw that Christmas decorations had already appeared over her local supermarket in Dubrava, east Zagreb. It is only the first week of autumn.

pictureday.jpgIf you are invited into someone's home over Christmas in Croatia, you simply must go - the atmosphere and food are usually fantastic © Pictureday

Christmas in Croatia is an excellent time to visit. Zagreb's Advent has consistently been voted the best of its kind across Europe. The season of goodwill in the country is one where gifts are exchanged, homes visited, feasts shared and superb culture enjoyed. As a Catholic nation with a strong sense of family, it is also a time where religion is observed and when you get to see all of your relatives. Many visitors to Christmas in Croatia are lucky enough to be invited into the home while they are here, and such an opportunity should not be turned down. Being among family members and friends, eating traditional and homecooked Croatian food is an unforgettable Christmas experience. But, there are some rules.

vargazs.jpgReligious tradition is an integral part of Christmas in Croatia. In almost every home, no meat, only fish, is eaten on Christmas Eve © Vargazs

In the UK, it's very common to greet friends across many days of December with “Merry Christmas”. You don't do that in Croatia. If you do, you'll be met with a look that lies anywhere between confusion and concern for your mental health. The greeting of “Merry Christmas” is strictly reserved for Christmas Day itself.

The root of this adherence to tradition is doubtless the acknowledgment that Christmas in Croatia is, above all, a religious festival. Croatians are often more attuned than most to commercialism creeping into what remains a deeply-observed marking of Jesus's birth. Yet, somehow, this most sacred of Catholic holidays manages to comfortably sit, side by side with seasonal celebrations that extend further each year. Although, the first week of autumn as the start of Christmas in Croatia must be the earliest one yet.

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Tuesday, 29 September 2020

Capital Confirms: Advent in Zagreb Will be Held this Winter!

September 29, 2020 - Index.hr has learned from the City of Zagreb on Tuesday that Advent in Zagreb will be held this winter! A look at what the City said about this year's plans.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, numerous events around the world have been postponed, and it remains to be seen what the situation will be around the world, Europe and Croatia during the winter.

However, one event is crucially important for the tourism of Croatia and the City of Zagreb - and that is Advent in Zagreb. Recall, Advent in Zagreb has previously been held from the end of November or the beginning of December until the beginning of January.

Given the current circumstances with the coronavirus pandemic, many have wondered whether the award-winning event will take place this year at all, and if so, whether there will be any special measures taken. Therefore, Index.hr sent an inquiry to the City of Zagreb and the Zagreb Tourist Board, which otherwise organized this event, to find out if plans are in preparation. 

 

It has been confirmed to Index.hr that Advent in Zagreb will go on.

"We would like to inform you that the Advent event in Zagreb is planned to be held this year as well," they replied.

Index.hr also asked about special measures, to which they replied that they could not give any information on the matter at the moment.

"We are not able to inform you about the specific details at the moment, but the epidemiological situation and the recommendations of the competent institutions will certainly be taken into account," they concluded.

More on this soon! 

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Saturday, 14 December 2019

Advent in Zagreb 2019/20, a Video Tour of the Streets

December 14, 2019 - So how is the atmosphere at this year's Advent in Zagreb? We sent our 3 TCN interns out and about with their phones to take a look. 

Join us in wandering the streets of Zagreb, interspersed with the Nutcracker theme.

After winning the Best Advent in Europe for three consecutive years (2016, 2017, 2018), Zagreb is stealing tourists' hearts once again with its originality. This year's theme is the Nutcracker, so every corner is hiding his character.

But what makes this year's Zagreb Advent special is that it's not just the Nutcracker head topic. According to Zagreb Tourist Board (TZGZ) director Martina Bienenfeld at a media conference, the focus is still on ecology and sustainability and accessibility for people with disabilities. Thus, most caterers will use paper cups and plates instead of plastic ones, and special bypasses will be installed to facilitate the movement of people with disabilities.

The whole of Zagreb is imbued with the Advent spirit, but it is most prevalent at European Square, the Croatian National Theater, the Tuškanac cinema, Oktogon, Ban Jelacic Square, the Strossmayer Promenade, Maksimir ZOO, King Tomislav Square, etc.

Mulled wine is one of the most famous drinks oat Advent, and you can find it throughout the city. There are many concerts held at the Klovićevi dvori. You can find a detailed schedule of the concerts on their Facebook page.

Food lovers can find something for themselves on stands that sell sausages, fritters, germknödeln, and many more. When you are satisfied with food, you can take pictures of the many attractions and sightseeing spots in Zagreb.

Walking through Park Zrinjevac, you will see Olaf, with whom you can take a picture. But be aware that you have to pay 10 kn for a group photo. On Zrinjevac, there are stands with handmade toys and other typical Croatian souvenirs, as well as traditional Croatian food. 

The concerts are held from Monday to Friday from 18:00 to 20:00 and from 20:00 to 22:00. Concerts of classical music are held on Saturdays from 11:00 to 12:00, and regular music program is held from 18:00 to 20:00 and from 20:00 to 22:00. On Sunday concerts of classical music are held from 11:00 to 12:00, and the regular music program starts at 18:00 and finishes at 20:00.

The famous ice rink is situated between The Art Pavilion and monument to King Tomislav. If you are not a fan of skating, you can enjoy a rich gastronomic offer and beverages here, as well. The cash register opens 30 minutes before opening the skating ring. Special working hours are: 

Christmas Eve: 10:00 to 17:00

Christmas: 11:30 to 23:00

New Year's Eve: 10:00 to 02:00

New Year: 11:30 to 23:00

Looking for a guide to what's on at this year's Advent in Zagreb? Check out the TCN guide.  

To learn more about Zagreb, check out the Total Croatia Zagreb in a Page guide

Sunday, 1 December 2019

Advent in Zagreb: Dalmatian Klapa Echoes Around Zrinjevac

As Morski/Josip Jakovinovic writes on the 1st of December, 2019, the beautiful sound of traditional Dalmatian klapa music filled the air at the opening ceremony of the heavily awarded Advent in Zagreb, in the very heart of the Croatian capital city, more precisely at the popular Zrinjevac park.

Following the traditional, ceremonial opening of the beloved Advent in Zagreb, which took place on Saturday the 30th of November, the honour of putting on a guest musical performance at 22:00 was done by the FDK (the Festival of Dalmatian Klapa).

Thus, the Festival of Dalmatian Klapa's five award-winning vocal groups, VINCACE (m) - Novi Vinodolski, LUŠE (f) - Split, BOŠKET (m) - Zagreb, TERANKE (f) - Pula and STINE (m) - Zagreb, put on a great performance full of enjoyable music, officially opening the most wonderful time of the year and Advent in Zagreb at Zrinjevac.

With the aromas of fritule and mulled wine filling the crisp air, much loved award-winning Dalmatian klapa songs won the hearts of the residents of Zagreb as well as the audience who came from different parts of the country and beyond to the Croatian capital, which has become very well known for being a top European advent destination following numerous awards.

With the traditional Christmas songs performed by the Dalmatian klapa group, nobody in the crowd could go without being filled with a sense of festive cheer, loudly applauding this unusual klapa guest performance at Advent in Zagreb, far away from the coast and the roots of this type of singing.

Organised by the Tourist Board of the City of Zagreb and the Festival of Dalmatian Klapa from Omiš, the combination of klapa singing and the festive atmosphere of Advent in Zagreb has been going on since last year, when klapa songs were performed the opening of Advent in Zagreb on Tkalčićeva.

Make sure to follow our dedicated lifestyle page for much more. If it's just the Croatian capital you're interested in, give Total Zagreb a follow or check out Zagreb in a Page.

Tuesday, 26 November 2019

World's First Museum of Hangovers to Open in Zagreb this December

November 26, 2019 - The first Museum of Hangovers in the world opens on December 1 in Zagreb (Preradoviceva 8), just in time for the Advent festivities in the capital. 

This unforgettable space for some of our more forgettable events is the project of a group of students designed as ‘a drunken return home’ - from the city streets to a casual stroll through the forest and eventually getting home where, if you are lucky, you manage to wake up in the morning. The idea of this unique museum was borne on an evening out, when students Rino Dubokovic and Roberta Mikelic, together with their friends, began to retell their best booze-fuelled stories. 

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It didn’t take long for their tales of tipsiness to bring them to a quite brilliant idea - why not create a museum featuring the best drunken and hangover stories with one item that would best represent it?

The idea came to fruition thanks to the students who chose the space, the lighting, painted the walls, and also sent in their best drunken escapades. To create the feeling of a drunken trip home, the museum will take you on a tour of four different rooms. The experience begins when you enter the museum, where the first stop of the adventure - exiting a stuffy club or packed bar, is visually captivated. 

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The Museum of Hangovers is a must-see during this year’s Advent for anyone looking to have a good laugh. The stories are presented in both Croatian and English at the same time, and the museum will be open daily from 9 am to 11 pm. The adult ticket price is 25,00 kuna, while students will have a slight discount (20,00 kuna).

If you also have a hangover story you would like to share to be a part of this unique museum concept, you can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or send a message to their Facebook page

You can find more info about the new Zagreb museum here.

Source: Journal.hr

To read more about lifestyle in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page

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