August 4, 2020 - The City of Split has announced they will begin the renovation of seven traditional stone houses in the Marjan park-forest, which were used to store tools and shelter people and animals during storms.

Slobodna Dalmacija reports that the estimated value is HRK 700,000 without VAT, or HRK 875,000 with VAT included. This is a 50 percent increase in costs compared to the 2017 estimate of HRK 501,375, which was stated in the application documents for the EU project "Marjan 2020 - Hill of the Past, Oasis of the Future".

The application document (form B) for the Marjan 2020 project was signed on April 28, 2017, by Robert Koharevic, former director of the Public Institution for Marjan Park and Forest Management, and the city councilors from the opposition managed to get it after a lot of pressure on city structures. 

The document states that the houses will be of educational content and show visitors traditional folk architecture. But later, at the presentation of the project, it was noted that they would be used to sell souvenirs. The obvious location for this purpose is the Visitor Center, which has been adapted outside the park-forest, in the former substation under the Marjan rocks, near the former hotel "Ambasador".

However, in form B, it is stated that due to the revitalization of the botanical garden, the houses will be converted into souvenir shops. 

Namely, the project, according to which Marjan ceases to be a "hill of the past" and becomes an "oasis of the future", envisages that around 2.4 million kuna is earned annually from the sale of souvenirs. Thus, for the next 11 years, that is a total of about 26 million kuna in earnings, which is approximately the total budget of this project!

Interestingly, the earnings from souvenirs are considered more profitable than the annual earnings that would be realized from the transport of visitors by electric bus (452,000 kuna), transport by new boat that would bring tourists (875,000 kuna), tickets for the adrenaline park (565,000 kuna) and concessions for the paintball field (30,000 kuna).

The annual income from these services would be 1.9 million kuna, which is about 400 thousand less than what would allegedly be sold from souvenirs.

However, there are no Marjan souvenirs that would ensure the profitability of the project yet. Or at least we haven't seen them yet.

Namely, according to the EU program, the competition for souvenirs and their presentation was to be held by June 2019 for 80,000 kuna.

During this period, "designing 3 site-specific souvenirs" had to be done. It was also necessary to "make one special souvenir that will contain the text in Braille". In addition to the above, it is calculated that "T-shirts, USBs and the like as souvenirs and a reminder to visit the park-forest" will be sold at the Visitor Center on Trumbiceva obala, at the foot of the Marjan steps.

Recall that in 2019, a vessel for the transport of visitors had to be procured, the price of which, according to the documentation, is 3.75 million kuna for an electric or solar-powered vehicle , as well as an electric bus for a little over one million kuna.

The EU project Marjan 2020 will create more jobs in the park-forest. For this, it is necessary to hire seven people indefinitely - an electric bus driver, skipper and sailor who will operate the electric/solar boat, informants and sellers of various park-forest facilities, while over the summer, two more people are expected to help. The botanical garden would employ the head of the interpretation center and one gardener. HRK 1.26 million should be allocated annually for all employees, while the total annual project costs would amount to HRK 3.7 to 4.3 million.

In the best years, which is the first few years, the project would bring in 800,000 kuna per year, while after that, it would drop, and after seven years, it would drop to 400,000 per year. In the 11th year, it would amount to only 25 thousand! It is clear that such a calculation significantly depends on the sale of souvenirs. Namely, the profit that would be realized from their sale should amount to more than 50 percent of total revenues.

That is, souvenirs would have to bring in 2.4 million kuna every year so that the total annual income of the project would be around 4.3 million. However, the profit would be the highest at the beginning of the project.

The planned investments of the City, the Split Tourist Board and the Public Institution were around 6.6 million kuna, while the total return of money (cumulative) after ten years would amount to approximately 6.2 million.

It is interesting that in the same document, it was calculated that the City would be in a substantial deficit of 13 million kuna after 11 years, if it invested everything itself, or that it embarked on such a project without EU assistance.

But even with EU assistance, the project is walking a thin line in terms of sustainability as total souvenir earnings in 11 years (26 million) should be higher than 75 percent of grants received from the EU. Can souvenirs, which are yet to be made, save this project from losses?

Whether this Marjan project has the potential and magnetism to attract tourists remains to be seen.

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

July 15, 2020 - The 66th Split Summer Festival was officially opened on Tuesday evening at Peristyle with Verdi's opera I Lombardi alla Prima Crociata.

This year's edition, respecting all epidemiological measures, brings art back to the ancient stages under the starry night sky. Mayor Andro Krstulovic Opara pointed out in his speech that art does not stop at challenges and crises, but is the crown of the crisis and everything that comes with it, giving many artists additional inspiration. Like last year, he called to maintain measures and civic decency and not to surrender to the greed that has disrupted human lives:

"Dear respected citizens of Split, esteemed dignitaries and guests, loyal viewers and listeners of HRT and all friends and admirers of Split, art and our Split Summer!

I am happy that we are here tonight and that this great cultural event, extremely precious and significant to all of us, has not been interrupted, despite the unfavorable circumstances. Yes, health and safety are above everything, but life must go on. And we move on. Without fear.

Art does not stop at challenges and crises, on the contrary, it was the corona crisis and a kind of social alienation caused by the necessary social distance that gave space and time to many artists for additional inspiration and an even stronger impulse of creativity that they can't wait to bring to their audience.

This year's special Split summer opens with I Lombardi. There is a lot of symbolism in this powerful Verdi opera imbued with tenderness, piety, determination and patriotic enthusiasm. From here, from the Imperial Peristyle, we will symbolically pay tribute to the attacked people of Lombardy and send a message of strength and invincibility of art and creation, but also the victory of all of us.

Last year, I invited you to take back public spaces again, when no one even dreamed that the coronavirus and the crisis caused by it would bring us back to the city and nature, which, thank God, has regenerated. Despite the trouble, or rather, precisely because of it, we returned to family and the enjoyment of everyday life that we often took for granted. The epidemic reminded us of true values, we focused on the essentials, and we successfully adapted and learned to tame the virus that we do not allow to take over our lives. I’m sure we learned this lesson.

I wish these circumstances also reminded me of my last year’s thought and plea not to succumb to the greed that has disrupted our lives and distorted natural priorities. I have called and am now calling to maintain the measures, and that we have civic decency and respect for everything around us, and above all, the person next to us. Are we humble enough to accept that lesson? Split recognized that. I am convinced of that.

We live one strong warning. One hundred years ago, during the Spanish flu that plagued our city as well, my predecessors took care of the future of the City. And they endeavored with the citizens, after that terrible warning, altogether turned to creation and beauty which had a healing effect.

In the last century, young people, athletes, and especially artists regenerated our city. Jedinstvo was also founded, and our theater flourished, so, for example, our alleyways and city streets were filled with the music of maestro Tijardovic," Opara said, and continued:

"The art of living with measures and the necessary restraint in the new circumstances was transformed into this year's Split Summer. And it is the fruit of the courage and determination of the people who, despite threats, have returned art to our squares and streets, where it has always belonged and where it will always belong. It is up to us to give art an additional well-deserved place. It is needed for our City and me to recover.

I invite you, dear citizens of Split, to enjoy the diverse and rich program of this year's Split Summer, in compliance with all recommendations and precautions. I once again congratulate the artists, organizers and all participants and thank them for their courage and determination.

In the desire to remember him for his exceptional artistic achievements, and to infect everyone only with the joy of creativity and beauty, I am pleased to declare the 66th Split Summer open."

During the opening ceremony, the Cultural Art Society Jedinstvo and Glazba Split performed the most famous Split dance Monfrinu, and the festival flag was raised by members of KUD Jedinstvo, Paola Demarchi and Drazen Bosnjak. This was followed by the premiere performance of Verdi's opera "I Lombardi" performed by soloists, orchestra, choir and ballet of the Croatian National Theater Split under the direction of maestro Ivo Lipanovic and directed by Robert Boškovic.

This year's Split Summer brings the best Croatian and foreign opera soloists and orchestras led by top conductors, ballet performances and a rich concert and drama program. There will also be four film screenings and two exhibitions. The Split Summer will have a total of 32 titles in 44 performances, so the Festival will turn the city into the summer theater capital of this part of the Mediterranean.

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

July 10, 2020 - The inaccessibility of the Croatian National Theater in Split for people with disabilities will soon become a thing of the past.

Dalmatinski Portal reports that everything is ready, one of the most important infrastructural interventions - the installation of an elevator, which will finally bring the program of the Split HNK closer to people with disabilities. The City of Split has initiated the procedure for the procurement of elevators, as well as the procurement procedure for reconstruction works to install elevators.

The estimated value of the purchase was 195 thousand kuna, excluding VAT, and is funded by the EU project 'TURISM4ALL' in cooperation with JU RERA and HNK, which aims to promote the availability of tourist destinations and cultural heritage across borders. The value of the reconstruction works amounts to HRK 395 thousand, excluding VAT. The deadline for submission of bids is July 13, 2020, at the latest.

In 2019, the City of Split ordered the development of major projects for the adaptation of the Split HNK building to people with disabilities and reduced mobility. With this project, it is planned to install an elevator from the level of the entrance area on the ground floor of the Croatian National Theater to the level of the first floor - the foyer, from where access to the lodges (mezzanine) is provided. The installation of the elevator is planned where the cash register is currently located. All projects for adapting the HNK building to people with disabilities have been approved by the Ministry of Culture, Conservation Department in Split, according to the City of Split.

With this project, the Croatian National Theater becomes another cultural institution that is accessible, after the first elevator in the Old Town was installed in the Golden Gate Center due to the accessibility of the cinema to spectators. The new building of the Croatian Home is accessible for people with disabilities, and the adaptation of the Old Town Hall and the new polyvalent hall on the Square of the Croatian Fraternal Union is underway. The goal is to make culture accessible to all and encourage everyone to get involved in the social life of the city.

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

May 28, 2020 - The famous open-air cinema Kino Bacvice returns tonight with the screening of Israeli film 'Synonyms'. 

Slobodna Dalmacija reports that after two years, the dispute between the City of Split and the private company Ekran d.o.o. has ended, which used the space of the Bacvice Open-Air Cinema for years without authorization and refused to hand over the "Zlatna Vrata" center, to which the City gave the space for management.

Film lovers can rejoice because it has been officially confirmed that the City is the 100% owner of this property, and "Zlatna Vrata", in cooperation with Kino Mediteran, will continue managing this Split film oasis, which has been operating since 1956.

Just before the upcoming season, a press conference was held for the first time at the Bacvice Open-Air Cinema, which is already ready for tonight's opening. The prescribed distance between the seats has been set, and at 9.30 pm, the first screening starts - the Israeli film "Synonyms", winner of the prestigious international festival in Berlin.

"For now, screenings will take place three times a week, and depending on the interest of the audience, we will consider increasing that number. As before, we will publish the program on a weekly basis, and due to the situation in the film industry, the backbone will be independent films," said the director of Kino Mediterranean Alen Munitić and called on all citizens to book their tickets online to avoid crowds at the box office.

Although many are probably wondering what will happen to the favorite Mediterranean Film Festival Split, which also takes place at this location, we will have to wait for news about a new date a little longer, says Munitić.

In addition to the announcement of the season, Munitić, together with Deputy Mayor Jelena Hrgović Tomaš and the director of "Zlatni Vrata" Danijela Ćukušić, commented on the past two years of work that were crucial in repositioning the open-air cinema on the city's film map.

Last year, over ten and a half thousand visitors were recorded, or 140 spectators per screening, and thanks to their own investments and the support of the Ministry of Culture, the cinema received new lighting, chairs, portable digital equipment and electrical installations.

"Electricity is very important here; you remember that in the first year we ran out of electricity at the very beginning of the screening," Ćukušić remembers an anecdote related to this cult space, which is gladly visited by both locals and guests.

It is precisely the retention of the recognizable role of the open-air cinema that is the common goal of the City and the "Zlatna Vrata". As Hrgović Tomaš emphasizes, this is the only film stage in the city.

He adds that after a series of realized projects, they also have a horticultural idea in the plan. Although the exact date of the start of work is still unknown, Ćukušić explains that the access will be arranged first, after which the rest of the space will retain its ambient atmosphere and no trees will be demolished unless it is an urgent rehabilitation.

They also emphasize that the tender for repairing the fence has been completed, and the works should start in the coming days.

"Once the space is renovated, the open-air cinema will be self-sustaining," Munitić said positively.

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

May 16, 2020 - By the beginning of summer, surveillance cameras will be installed in 14 locations, or public areas, in the city center of Split.

If you've been wondering about the installations in attractive locations around the heart of the city over the last few days, it is most likely the new surveillance devices installed by the employees of the company "Electronic Security", which is the contractor of the project. This news was confirmed to Slobodna Dalmacija by Krešimir Budiša, the mayor's advisor for development projects.

The video cameras will thus cover the most popular areas in the city center, like Peristyle, Pjaca, Matejuška, the area in front of the Croatian National Theater, Sv. Frane, the Riva on both ends, Marmontova, King Tomislav Street near the Josip Hatze Music School, the top of Bosanska Street, Zlatna Vrata, Đardin and Dr. Franjo Tuđman Square.

"With this, we will finally get video surveillance of the city center in the 21st century. The cameras are currently in function at the Croatian National Theater and Matejuška. The cameras will help us fight crime and solve communal problems. For now, the recordings are being monitored from a special room in Banovina, which is being done by a security company, and our plan is to form a joint operational control center for everyone in the building of the former "Čistoća" building," Budiša announced.

HRK 1.7 million has been allocated from this year's budget for the video surveillance of public areas, and the next planned activity is the installation of cameras at bus stops. The Mayor's advisor also announced that the intention of the City of Split is to have full management of traffic and intersections with a modern system, which is already being agreed with the Ministry of Transport.

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

May 5, 2020 - The City of Split and the Split Tourist Board, in cooperation with Dalmatia Concert and sponsored by OTP Bank Split, are bringing Split citizens a special treat for Sv. Duje on Thursday. Petar Graso performing in an empty Peristyle.

"Unfortunately, traditional festivities in Split will be absent this year. We will celebrate Sv. Duje without the buzz, the crowds, the procession and the mass on the waterfront, the raffle and the Sudamja Fair; without a great concert and fireworks, without everything we have done with all our fellow citizens for years. This year will be different than ever, but I still believe that the feast of our patron saint will be celebrated in our hearts and with our families. To all the citizens of Split, but also all the viewers of Croatian Radio and Television, on the day of Sv. Duje, we bring you a Peter Graso concert from Peristyle. Although we are forced to be physically separated, let us be together on Thursday evening in front of small screens in this unusual, different and I believe beautiful celebration," says Split Mayor Andro Krstulovic Opara.

Petar Graso also shared his impressions:

"I am a child of Split, Split is my home, despite the fact that I have been in it for the last twenty years. If it had not been for these specific circumstances, I, unfortunately, would have been out of Split on this Sv. Duje. But as it usually is, different circumstances dictate a different life plan, and so one of the strangest, and in some ways, the most beautiful concert of my career happened, a concert without a single person in the audience."

Graso also says that if someone had told him last year that he would play in front of an empty Peristyle and be most honored, he would have thought it impossible, but given the events of the past months, he is delighted and honored on this occasion: "I am happy to have the privilege of having a concert in one of the most beautiful squares in the world in my city, and giving it to both my Split and all the people who will be at home on Thursday evening in front of small screens. This is a concert of optimism, a concert of light and celebration. We were looking forward to it; somehow we seem to see the light at the end of the tunnel we've all been in for the past two months," Graso concludes, wishing this would be the last concert before an empty Peristyle.

The concert will be broadcast on Split's City Day on Thursday, May 7, on the second program of Croatian Radio and Television.

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May 1, 2020 - A message from the City of Split about this year’s modest Sv. Duje celebration. 

As we delve into the days of Sudamja 2020, a festival dedicated to the patron saint of Split, the holy Dujam, given the circumstances this year, we must celebrate modestly, begins the City of Split announcing this year’s Sv. Duje celebration. 

“On May 6, our archbishop and mayor will inaugurate the feast of Sv. Duje, and instead of Holy Mass on the waterfront on May 7, Archbishop of Split-Makarska, Marin Barisic, will hold a solemn mass in the Cathedral with a few priests, which will be broadcast on the first HTV program.

This year, there will be no Sudamja fair, no traditional tonbula, no sporting events, no concert, and no fireworks. Everything we do will be marked by the screens of local TV stations, radios and social networks, and you will be able to follow it all with your family from home."

The City asks all citizens to celebrate this festival in the environment of your own home and respect the decisions of the National Civil Protection Headquarters. 

The Sudamja poster traditionally annually commemorates the Sv. Duje festivities, and though the theme has been explicitly Split, this year, it has switched to the coronavirus pandemic.

Thus, this year’s Sudamja poster is called the Zero Year Consolation and commemorates the feast by a straightforward but powerful message: “Don't be afraid."

The poster recalls the most significant event in the history of Christianity, the crucifixion of Jesus, on which the whole religion is based, and which is especially important right now,  the City says.

“Through His anguish and resurrection, He redeemed all sins and saved the world from evil, including sickness.

In no word or image, the poster shows the "evil" Corona.

The poster shows Jesus' crown of thorns - the Latin "CORONA SPINAE CHRISTI", and in turn, it is a symbol of Jesus, his torment, redemption and salvation.

Not even blood is shown, but quotation marks and points as an association with it, and which in this way is presented metaphorically representing words, wisdom and consolation.

Namely, in the spirit of current daily life and the #OSTANIDOMA (Stay Home) message from the National Civil Protection Headquarters, no poster will ever see the light of day. There is no celebration program, people are mostly home, so there is no need for an otherwise custom printed poster. Thus, this poster for Sudamja, probably for the first time in history, is only a poster for home, prepared but not printed," said the City.

The poster was designed by Split designer Stjepko Rosin, whose work for Sudamja last year won him the silver award from Graphis, one of the world's most respected American magazines for graphic design and advertising, based in New York. The poster was also included in the Graphis Design Annual 2020.

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

April 21, 2020 - Scenes from an empty Split in spring. 

Dalmacija Danas reports that not even Croatia could escape the effects of the global coronavirus pandemic, though, with 1881 cases and 47 deaths so far, we are doing better than many other parts in Europe and the world.

Although Split-Dalmatia County is among the leading in Croatia by number of cases, over the last few days, there has been a significant decrease in the number of newly infected people, and due to the improved situation, we can now move freely within the borders of our county, excluding the islands.

The corona crisis already established a new normal and has completely shifted what we are used to in everyday life. 

While we’d normally be embracing a sunny preseason spring, the measures in place by the National Civil Protection Headquarters to ban gatherings in public areas, public transport, and international travel, all while social distancing, have made Dalmatia unrecognizable in recent weeks.

While we’re used to welcoming the start of the preseason after Easter, this year, the tourist season in April is a loss. Because of this, some parts of the city are deserted, which was even more pronounced in March and early April.

A video was released by the City of Split showing just that - the streets empty and eerie, an image we hope never to see again.

On April 17, 2020, the City of Split sent a message to citizens:

"Dear fellow citizens of Split,

Thank you for following the instructions, measures, and decisions of the National Civil Protection Headquarters. Field reports confirm this, and hopefully the same will soon be seen in the growing number of people infected in our city.

We have a sunny weekend ahead, so once again we invite you all, no matter the weather, do not leave your homes without a real need. If you have to, then please keep an eye on social distance, keep a distance from each other. Do not go to public areas where it is strictly limited, beaches, playgrounds, parks, and sports grounds.

It is still extremely important to adhere to all instructions and decisions of the National Staff and to keep in mind that the success of all anti-epidemic measures depends primarily on ourselves."

To read more about travel in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page. 

March 29, 2020 - The City of Split has a clear message for citizens during the coronavirus crisis in Croatia - STAY HOME! 

Split-Dalmatia County currently has 52 coronavirus cases, a number that will likely change after the Croatian Civil Protection Headquarters press conference on Sunday. Behind Zagreb and Pula, Split has the third-highest number of infections, which includes citizens from Brela to Solin.

In contrast to the first days of the new measures banning gatherings in public areas, the citizens of Split, meanwhile, have been quite disciplined. They also seem to be adhering to the restrictions on moving between cities, which was announced earlier this week. 

I did an article the other day outlining my shopping experience at Spar in the Firule neighborhood, which is otherwise bustling with grocery stores, bakeries, and cafes. On Thursday, however, the neighborhood was a ghost town, with citizens strictly following the hygiene measures in place by supermarket chains and pharmacies. You can read more here. 

Apart from the constant warnings about the importance of sticking to these measures, there is no doubt that the disciplined citizens of Split have helped to control the spread of the virus in the city. 

And now, the citizens of Split will be reminded to stay home thanks to an illuminated #oSTanidoma (‘Stay Home’) light display set up on the west side of the Riva, at the end of Marmontova. The ‘ST’ is cleverly capitalized as the abbreviation of the city's name.

The City posted a photo of the new sign on their Facebook page Saturday night, and as Dalmacija Danas learned, the winter decorations were donated to Split by Zima, reports Dalmacija Danas.

It didn't take long before Mayor Andro Krstulovic Opara posted his thoughts on Facebook. The Mayor shared the photo with a short message: Thank you for staying home!

We can only hope this new attraction doesn't attract groups of Instagrammers.

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March 21, 2020 - Split police are busy patrolling the city's most frequented areas on Saturday and are pleading for citizens to stay home during the coronavirus crisis. 

Despite numerous recommendations from experts who have sent messages to stay home for days, many citizens have taken advantage of the crisis to enjoy the beautiful spring weather.

On Saturday, 168 coronavirus cases have been confirmed in Croatia, and according to scientist Igor Rudan, the real number may be ten times higher, reports Dalmacija Danas.

As of Wednesday, only grocery stores, bakeries, pharmacies, and those deemed necessary are allowed to work, and all children's playgrounds are closed as of Saturday. Saturday morning, the Crisis Headquarters decided on a new regime for maritime transport, while bus transport between cities was suspended entirely.

Interior Minister Davor Bozinovic said there was a “some kind of ban on movement in public areas". Citizens will not be physically removed, but police will warn and act in the event of disobedience. It is forbidden to move and hang out in groups in all public areas, and the police are strictly patrolling.

Marjan Forest Park was also closed and police visited Žnjan, Bačvice and the Riva and warned about the ban on movement in groups in public areas.

“Bene has been closed, and we have been instructed by the police to close Marjan as well, and to warn all passers-by that movement in this area is forbidden,” said the Marjan Primary School.

A spokeswoman for the Split police further explained the situation.

“We must all respect the decision of the National Headquarters who issued a recommendation not to hold public gatherings, including in public places. People should not gather in groups and police officers are patrolling and alerting citizens to return to their homes. We urge citizens to respect these decisions for your public health. Police will tour all frequently visited locations: Žnjan, Riva, Bačvice and other promenades. We appeal that only people who need it and who do the most urgent work go out in public. The police are doing this to protect all of us and public health. Let's stay home,” spokeswoman Antonela Lolic said.

Make sure to follow our dedicated section for rolling information in English about COVID-19 in Croatia.

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