2019 is the ninth year that the Circus Street Festival CU'FUS will be held in the town of Samobor, a well-liked weekend-visit destination located just west of Zagreb. The festival, in Croatian called Cirkuski ulični festival u Samoboru (which abbreviates to CU'FUS) will take place over three days in May, on the 17th, 18th and 19th at the several locations in the town. Most notably, you will be able to see the circus street performers at the Kralj Tomislav Square and in the park next to the Samobor Museum - both of those locations are very close to the centre of the town.

Addition programs will be a part of the festival as well: CU'FUSEK includes children's program, performances and animation, CHILLBAR AT CU'FUS is the everyday musical program which will be paired with the circus street performances at the park all day, CU'FUZIK - live music to be performed at the festival, numerous workshops (CU'FUSARIJE), a circus cabaret night, various presentations designed to attract as many various types of visitors, from those who know a lot about circus to those just learning more about the art. There will be an eco-corner, different foods and drinks offered to the visitors (and there is always good food in Samobor, especially the traditional sweets) etc. Some of the more prominent names performing at the festival will be SelfIgniting Italian, UnbelievablyBalancingVenezuelan, Niki Beluči - you're forgiven if you've never really heard of them, but that only means you need to go to Samobor to find out more about them!

The artists participating in the festival this year are discovering the various spheres and limits of the circus performance art, which includes experimenting with different new media, such as music, contemporary dance, miming, physical theatre, digital arts and many others. That way all of the participants will see what the most modern circus experience has to offer.

The program at the CU'FUS Circus Street Festival is free, but it is polite to leave a donation in the artists' hat if you've enjoyed the performance. More info and a detailed program of the festival can be found on www.cufus.net. You must come to CU'FUS! (yes, it rhymes better in Croatian)

Want to clown around this Wednesday? Judino Drvo is where you’ll want to be, 21h is the time, and circus films are the theme.

“Rakija, rakija...come here as there is no consolation in water,” reads a famous line by Croatia’s greatest poet from the 20^th century, Tin Ujević. It showcases just how important rakija (Croatian grappa) plays in the culture of its people. Not only do people enjoy it as a drink but its believed to cure stomach cramps, and it works as a great disinfectant and window cleaner.

Rakija is considered the national drink of Croatia and is produced by distilling fermented fruit, much like grappa of Italy and schnapps of Germany. Winemakers will usually use grape must to produce their rakija and this is the classic base of this popular drink. This fierce beverage usually has 40% alcohol but some domaći (home-produced) rakija can have even higher levels.

It is a custom to enjoy a rakija after a meal as a digestive but be careful, this stuff is strong and is not a drink for the weak. There are several flavors or rakija, such as šlivovica made of plums, višnjevac from cherries, but for something a little easier to swallow, try medica which is flavored with honey, or orahovac with almonds.

Every bar or restaurant will have a couple of rakijas on option but if you want to go all out, you can try one of 25 rakija flavors at Split Circus in the palace or hide underground in Split Circus II. They have creative combos such as apple cinnamon, grapefruit mint, and the list goes on.

(Jadranska 1; Facebook) 

Split Circus is the one of the coolest places in the old town; it is a tiny room on Dosud street with a counter selling cheap shots of local rakija in all sorts of flavors. Split Circus a.k.a. the smallest but craziest joint in town, brought something new to the streets of Split by infusing it with local spirit as they list a tempting selection of rakija (local grappa) offered in more than 25 smashing flavors at 9-15KN a pop! 

This winter, Split Circus opened their second Split Circus II in the Bačvice neighorhood, an underground venue that promised to keep patrons warm during hibernation…and man did they keep us warm. Split Circus II rolled out with a grand repertoire such as Ohne Silikone on Fridays with nostalgic hits from yesteryear animating a varied crowd of misfits and hipsters under low ceilings.

Split Circus II has quirky interiors, eclectic color combinations and wall graphics bringing you right back to your teen DIY basement hangout; an extended living room where no parents are allowed.

Now that the weather has warmed, Split Circus II has taken things above ground and outside into their very own tranquil garden. Open all day long, you can pop into the circus anytime for a 6kn coffee, a cheap shot of our favorite Teranino, or how about a summer rakija cocktail?

There is something so homely about Split Circus II; the owner Luka truly makes you feel like you are part of the family and under palm trees on a lounger, what more chilled-out way can your day or night? 

Keeping it local they will awesome hits by legendary Split musicians such as Kineski Zid, Dino Dvornik, TBF and more this Thusday, June 13^th from 22:00