Croatian Music Festivals: Hidden Gems to Visit in 2022
April 9th, 2022 - As the summer approaches we can already hear different music genres playing on the sunny Croatian beaches, so it is a perfect time to check out some of the lesser-known Croatian music festivals that are scattered around the country.
Croatian music festivals have been piling up in the last decade and this is certainly a sign that Croats love music and are very passionate about it. The last two years have been a headache for the event industry and hopefully, we will not go back to that. There are many music festivals in Croatia, and those that are well known are quite easy to stumble upon. In this article, I will focus on those niche or boutique festivals that are hidden below the surface.
Source: Facebook/Goulash Disko
Goulash Disko is a global underground music festival that takes place in the city of Komiža, on the island Vis, one of the sunniest spots in Europe. The festival first started in 2013, and as they stress on their crowdfunding website, it is the first-ever crowdfunded festival in the world. From 14th to 18th of September 2022, Komiža will be the center for world-infused and electric music styles such as tropical grooves, oriental house, and Gypsydelic among many others. The festival is super small and limited to just 1000 visitors, so there is no time to hesitate if you want to become a Goulashian.
Source: Facebook/Moondance Festival
Moondance festival was established in 2013 by one of the pioneers of the Croatian electronic music scene Pero Fullhouse aka Skeptik. The festival is located in the middle age fortress Kamerlengo in the city of Trogir. This year they are preparing for their 9th edition which takes place from 29th to 31st of July and will include 2 festival nights, 2 boat parties, an afterparty, and workshops. Moondance is characterized by underground techno with international and regional artists. This year’s lineup is not yet released but some well know artists that have already performed on Moondance are Jeff Mills, Kink, Mr. C, Octave One, Silicon Soul, Rødhåd, and Dj Jock, Petar Dundov among many others.
Source: Facebook/Velvet Festival
Velvet is a festival of alternative music located on the beautiful island of Krk in the city of Punat. This year it will hold its 6th edition from 30th June to July 2nd. This festival combines concerts, parties, boat parties, design, architecture, and the spirit of the Mediterranean. This is a small festival, organized by a group of free-minded artists from the island of Krk and the region. With the upcoming 32 artists that are announced for this year, it is surely a place worth visiting.
Source:https://modemfestival.com/photo2021/
Memento Demento or by short MoDem is a festival that combines music, arts, architecture, and stunning visuals. It is located in Donje Primišlje between Slunj and Ogulin. The ambient of the festival is defined by the untouched forest and the river Mrežnica. There are three main stages called Hive, Swamp, and Seed each with its unique art sculptures, 3d video mapping, and stage designs. If you like psychedelic trance this is your place to visit.
Source: https://projectvojarna.com/photo/
Project Vojarna is a project organized by Šibenik music organization ECHO and Decoded Records that began in 2016 with their debut as part of the aforementioned Moondance festival. From there they moved into their current home in ex-military barracks (vojarna is Croatian for military barracks) in Šibenik. There is still no official announcement of this year’s events but since they managed to organize events in 2020 and 2021 when circumstances were quite harder there is no reason to doubt this year will be any different. Some astonishing artists from the techno and house genre that visited Vojarna are Fat Boy Slim, Boris Brejcha, and Monika Kruse among others. If you would like to experience the old-school warehouse party vibe be sure to keep an eye on their website for future updates.
There are many more small niche festivals and most of them have not yet made any announcements for the upcoming season of the music festivals which is understandable considering all that was going on in the last two years. Nevertheless, I will attach some of them with embedded links and locations so you can check them out.
Ferragosto Jam - Orahovačko jezero (Lake Orahovica)
Ego Free Festival - Split
SuperUho Festival – Primošten
Fibra Festival – Split
Gljevstock – Gljev near Sinj
Thrill Blues Festival – Trilj (1-3 July)
Split Blues Festival – Split
Korkyra Barouqe Festival – Korčula
Špancirfest – Varaždin ( 19-28 August)
Noise test festival – Ćiovo (11-24 August)
Martinska Šibenik is a summer festival season that takes place in Martinska bay near Šibenik and that combines 6 different festivals: Seasplash Festival (14-17 July), Slurp! Festival, Regius Festival, Kanal Fest, Membrain fest (4-7 August), and Blast fest.
STREET ART, SPORTS, AND MUSIC
In this section, I will take a moment to give tribute to three important festivals Xstatic, Graffiti na gradele, and Panonian Challenge.
Panonian Challenge is the largest extreme sports and urban culture festival in Southeast Europe. It is one of the most important events in Osijek with 20 years of tradition. It combines extreme sports competitions including scooter, BMX, skate, and inline disciplines with breakdance, graffiti art, and music concerts. This year it takes place from 15th to 19th of June.
Xstatic is a Split based festival that takes place in October. This festival combines street graffiti art music, breakdance, skateboarding, street basketball, and stand-up comedy. It is a perfect place to experience the urban culture of Split.
GNG is a festival that takes place in Bol on the island of Brač usually in the summer. It is an international graffiti art festival that gathers graffiti artists, designers, and musicians. For the last two years, the festival was not able to appear in its full form for obvious reasons. Hopefully this year we will see their comeback stronger than ever, but for now, no official statements are made. They are currently involved in many graffiti art projects around Croatia.
A wide variety of Croatian music festivals that span across the country and cover different genres certainly offer something for everyone. This season we have an opportunity to pay the tribute to all the artists, organizers, designers, and other stakeholders that make up this industry and consequently helping it get back on its feet.
For more, check out our lifestyle section.
Croatian Music Festivals in 2022: Return to Normal, Full Summer Run
January 26, 2022 – Following one cancelled year and a hesitant 2021, Croatian Music Festivals in 2022 look to return to normal operations. Even before the end of January 2022, two favourite events in Tisno, Dalmatia – Defected Croatia and Dekmantel Selectors – have this week sold out all tickets!
For a whole new generation of young dreamers and visitors, Croatia is on their annual wish list because of its music festivals. Set by pristine waters and beaches, in the guaranteed sunshine of a Dalmatian summer, photos of Croatia's music festivals have travelled across the world and brought international acclaim.
In 2020, all of these music festivals (except veteran domestic events at Martinska, Šibenik) were cancelled. Even in 2021, neither full confidence nor the full schedule had returned – Ultra Europe (Split) and Love International (Tisno) remained absent.
However, if early indications are anything to go by, trust in the summertime spectaculars seems to have completely returned for Croatian Music festivals in 2022. In fact, even before the end of January 2022, two favourite events in Tisno, Dalmatia – Defected Croatia and Dekmantel Selectors – have this week announced they've sold out.
News revealed exclusively to Total Croatia News informs that the rest of the summer music festivals held at The Garden Resort, Tisno are not far behind - almost all are within sight of completely selling out all tickets.
How the lineup looks for Croatian Music Festivals in 2022 and where to buy tickets
Croatian Music Festivals in 2022: Love International, Tisno
In every corner of the country, you can find Croatian Music festivals in 2022. Some of these might have traditional folk music and dance, others might offer favourite local rock and pop acts who mostly sing in Croatian.
But, for international visitors looking for Croatian Music Festivals in 2022, there are an identifiable number of festival locations and events. By and large, these are the events that young people travel to Croatia specifically to attend.
Ultra Europe in Split: 8 July 2022 – 10 July 2022
Croatian Music Festivals in 2022: Ultra Europe in Split
A 3-day event in Split with the world's top EDM DJs, incredible stage design and production with a definite wow factor. DJs confirmed so far include Adam Beyer, Afrojack, Alesso, Armin van Buuren, Joseph Capriati, Martin Garrix, Nina Kraviz, Oliver Heldens, Richie Hawtin, Tiësto, Timmy Trumpet and Vini Vici.
This 8th Ultra Europe in Split will - for the first time - be followed by an extension of the party on several Croatian islands. The main festival takes place at Youth Park in Split from 8 July 2022 – 10 July 2022.
On 11 July 2022, Ultra Brač will visit Brač island's 585 Club. On 12 July 2022, there will be an afternoon beach party on the Pakleni islands, near Hvar island. Later that day, a nighttime event Resistance Hvar will take place at Carpe Diem Beach Club, Hvar island.
The Resistance Closing Party Vis is the last event and will take place on 13 July at the old Fort George (Fortica) on Vis island.
Tickets for Ultra Europe in Split can be purchased here. Up-to-date line-up details and entry requirements for Ultra Europe in Split can be seen here.
The Garden, Tisno 2022
Croatian Music Festivals in 2022: Defected Croatia at The Garden Resort, Tisno
With the relatively recent addition of Defected Croatia, Outlook Origins and Dimensions to the 10+ year reputation of the Garden Resort roster, this festival site can now truly claim to be the epicentre of underground electronic dance music in Croatia.
Across its summer-long run, some of the world's best underground DJs visit this place, its beach and boat parties, plus the incredible open-air Barbarellas nightclub in nearby Pirovac. Each event lasts several days and is limited to between 5000 – 7000 people.
Up-to-date details of entry requirements for The Garden Resort, Tisno 2022 can be seen here. Here's the calendar of events for The Garden, Tisno in summer 2022...
Love International: 13 July 2022 – 19 July 2022
Croatian Music Festivals in 2022: Love International
With a renowned reputation as one of the most welcoming and easy-going of all Croatia's festivals, the adored Love International returns after two years in 2022. It has been much missed. House, disco, techno and Balearic music in the main will this year come from the likes of Ben UFO, Craig Richards, Eliza Rose, Shanti Celeste, Saoirse, Moxie, Horse Meat Disco, Antal, Hunee, Palms Trax and Midland.
Tickets for Love International 2022 can be purchased here. Up-to-date line-up details for Love International 2022 can be seen here.
Suncebeat: 21 July 2022 – 28 July 2022
Croatian Music Festivals in 2022: Suncebeat in Tisno
The longest-running festival associated with The Garden resort, Suncebeat traces its love affair with Croatia back to Petrcane, near Zadar, over 12 years ago. Actually, Suncebeat's heritage is even older – it's a spin-off event of the UK's 30+-year-old Southport Weekender. It, therefore, draws a slightly older crowd of house, disco and soul music aficionados.
The first wave of artists released for this 13th Suncebeat includes The Blessed Madonna, Kerri Chandler, Kenny Dope, Dave Lee ZR, Dam Swindle, Miguel Migs, Mark Farina, Horse Meat Disco, Natasha Diggs, Mike Dunn, John Morales, DJ Spen, DJ Spinna, Sadar Bahar, Terry Hunter, Children Of Zeus (live), Lukas Setto (Live), Djeff, Dan Shake, Ash Lauryn, Hyenah, Marina Trench, Lakuti, Elkka, Rich Medina, Boo Williams, Mafalda and CinCity.
Tickets for Suncebeat 2022 can be purchased here. Up-to-date line-up details for Suncebeat 2022 can be seen here.
Outlook Origins: 28 July 2022 – 8 August 2022
Croatian Music Festivals in 2022: Outlook Origins in Tisno
A scaled-down version of the original Outlook, which used to take place in Pula. The event earned a reputation as being one of the most significant annual events for UK bass music and its soundsystem culture – covering music styles like reggae, dub, grime, drum n' bass, garage, dubstep, jungle, hip hop and more.
Line-up to be announced.
Tickets for Outlook Origins 2022 can be purchased here. Up-to-date line-up details for Outlook Origins 2022 can be seen here.
Defected Croatia: 4 August 2022 – 9 August 2022
Croatian Music Festivals in 2022: Defected Croatia
Days and nights filled with sunshine, smiles and house music from one of the most successful independent house music record labels in the world. The 2022 line-up includes Moodymann, Carl Craig, Danny Tenaglia, Bob Sinclar, Honey Dijon, Jayda G, KiNK, A-Trak, Boys Noize, Heller & Farley, Kenny Dope, Mark Farina and Spen
International tickets for Defected Croatia 2022 have sold out. The last few remaining domestic (ex-Yu) tickets for Defected Croatia 2022 can be purchased here. Up-to-date line-up details for Defected Croatia 2022 can be seen here.
Dekmantel Selectors: 25 August 2022 – 30 August 2022
Croatian Music Festivals in 2022: Dekmantel Selectors
A deliberately intimate and scaled-down sister event to the mammoth underground European festival Dekmantel. With a line-up that you could well describe as the DJs' DJs of choice, this year the underground selections come from the likes of Hunee, Daniele Baldelli, Kode9, Shanti Celeste, John Talabot, FAUZIA, Eris Drew, Identified Patient, Vladimir Ivkovic & Young Marco, Carista.
International tickets for Dekmantel Selectors 2022 have sold out. Up-to-date line-up details for Dekmantel Selectors 2022 can be seen here.
Dimensions: 1 September 2022 – 5 September 2022
Croatian Music Festivals in 2022: Dimensions
Techno, electro, drum n' bass, house, hip hop, reggae and bass music on this 10th anniversary year come from the likes of Helena Hauff b2b DJ Stingray 313, Raresh, Blawan, Mala, Caliber, DVS1, Marcellus Pittmann, Tama Sumo, Peach, Saoirse, Laurine, Francesco Del Garda, Soichi Terada, Sherelle, Eris Drew & Octa Octa, Sonja Moonear, D. Tiffany & Rosa Terenzi, Gene On Earth b2b The Ghost, DJ Storm, Batu.
Tickets for Dimensions 2022 can be purchased here. Up-to-date line-up details for Dimensions 2022 can be seen here.
Šibenik Music Festivals 2022 – Martinska, Seasplash and Project Vojarna
Martinska
Located on a perfectly secluded seaside peninsula, just outside the city of Šibenik, the Martinska venue hosts a summer-long run of intimate music festivals within fantastic natural surroundings. Events range from punk music and live concerts to more modern electronic styles. Most famous internationally is the reggae and dub event Seasplash Festival which celebrates its 20th birthday between July 14th - 17th 2022.
Project Vojarna
Just over half a decade old, Project Vojarna is a dance music event born from the collaboration of Šibenik electronic music enthusiasts. In its current standing, the main event is a 10-hour open-air rave held at a former military barracks just outside Šibenik. Each year the event grows in fame and stature. This year's event will take place on 23 July.
Up-to-date line-up details, links for tickets and entry requirements for all events at Martinska, Šibenik can be seen here.
Up-to-date line-up details, links for tickets and entry requirements for Project Vojarna, Šibenik events can be seen here.
InMusic Festival Zagreb: 20 June 2022 – 23 June 2022
InMusic Festival, Zagreb
The largest and most prestigious event for rock music and alternative in Croatia, InMusic has certainly put the country – and Zagreb – firmly on the international rock festival map. Taking place around Zagreb's Lake Jarun, the festival site welcomes campers from all over Europe for its four-day run.
2022's incredible line-up includes The Killers, Kasabian, Deftones, Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, Royal Blood, White Lies, Gogol Bordello, IDLES, Amadou & Mariam, Sleaford Mods, Fontaines D.C. Hinds, The Comet Is Coming, Dry Cleaning, Tamikrest and Nick Mason.
Tickets for InMusic Zagreb 2022 can be purchased here. Up-to-date line-up details and entry requirements for InMusic Zagreb 2022 can be seen here.
Solardo Presents Higher Dubrovnik
After two years of unforgettable sell out shows in Dubrovnik, mighty Manchester duo Solardo aim for a hat trick in 2022. In conjunction with Pollen Presents, Solardo announce their largest festival to date from September 23-27th: The pair curate their biggest ever line up with international tastemakers, showcasing some of the world's top house and techno talent, a testament to the Manchester duo’s musical depth. The first wave of names include Marco Carola, FJAAK, Nicole Moudaber, Mall Grab, Maya Jane Coles, Vintage Culture, Nic Fanciulli, Lee Foss and many more. After multiple sell out shows at WHP, Circus Liverpool & London, Higher is now set to grow into a multi venue event across this historic city
Lineup: Solardo, Marco Carola, Mall Grab, FJAAK, Nicole Moudaber, Maya Jane Coles, Vintage Culture, Nic Fanciulli, Lee Foss + more
Tickets: https://pollen.co/x/solardo-dubrovnik-2022-1
Location: Dubrovnik, Croatia
BSH Island
BSH Island is one of the jewels in the Croatian festival crown and has been leading the way in the local scene in recent years. Its first edition in 2020 brought something new to the region, and the follow up in 2021 made a mark on the international stage and now it returns to Island of Pag for the bigger than ever third edition. This follows two much talked about festivals on Zrce Beach - BSH Island, which included a legendary party in the breathtaking 17th century Fortress overlooking the sea hosted by Amnesia Ibiza, and the epic Amnesia takeover Croatia festival. It was a truly unique experience that offered something completely fresh away from the clubs on Zrce beach, and when you add in the fact that accommodation came in the form of a beautiful yacht docked at Noa Beach Club, it's no wonder BSH Island has made such a special impact.
Lineup: Archie Hamilton, Ben Sterling, Blackchild, Dennis Cruz, Paco Osuna, wAFF + more
Tickets: https://www.noa-zrce.com/en/events/bsh-island-2022
Date: 29th June - 3rd July
Location: Noa Beach Club, Zrce Beach, Croatia
Zrće beach on Pag island
Croatian Music Festivals in 2022: Hideout Festival, Zrce beach, Pag island
The summer-long run of parties on Zrće beach on Pag island continued last year. Although, in 2022 you should expect a return to pre-pandemic levels of attendance and hedonism. Along with that, the bigger named DJs will likely be returning in force during 2022.
Croatian Music Festivals in 2022: Hideout Festival
Taking place from Sunday 3rd July - Thursday 7th July, Hideout Festival 2022 is representative of this return to form. DJs like Andy C, Jamie Jones, Eats Everything, Camelphat, Jayda G, Hot Since 82, Sam Divine, Solardo, Shy FX, Richy Ahmed, Sonny Fodera, Skream, Gorgon City, Mike Skinner, Paul Woolford, John Summit, Alan Fitzpatrick, Darius Syrossian, DJ Seinfeld, Maya Jane Coles, Denis Sulta and Chelina Manuhutu will play house, techno, drum n' bass and UK bass music sounds to a crowd of 13, 000+
The sixth edition of Sonus Festival (here) takes place at Zrce between 20 August and 26 August 2022 with DJs like Adriatique, Âme, Amelie Lens, Andrea Oliva, Ben Klock, Chris Liebing, Dax J, Dixon, Hot Since 82, I Hate Models, Jamie Jones, Joseph Capriati, KiNK [live], Loco Dice, Maceo Plex, Monika Kruse, Pan-Pot, Patrick Topping, Ricardo Villa, lobos B2B Zip, Richie Hawtin, Richy Ahmed, Rødhåd, Seth Troxler, Sonja Moonear, Stephan Bodzin [live], Sven Väth, Black Coffee, Carl Cox, Denis Sulta, Desiree
Information about events in the summer season on Zrće beach, Pag island can be seen here.
Tickets for Hideout Festival, Zrće beach, Pag island can be bought here
Could Rapid Tests Save Summer Music Festival Season in Croatia?
March 12, 2021 - Could rapid antigen tests save the summer music festival season in Croatia? Croatian entertainment experts weigh in.
Jutarnji List reports that Boris Johnson's opening plan could save Croatia's entertainment industry from bankruptcy this summer, that is, if Croatia implements rapid antigen tests.
Summer is at the door, and, unfortunately, “the next two weeks are still crucial.” It is still uncertain whether there will be any parties during the warmer months and, if so, under what conditions and protocols. However, festival organizers in Croatia and the region are cautiously optimistic. A little over two weeks ago, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced lifting all anti-pandemic measures as early as June, so a wave of festival announcements began.
There is still no vote from the Croatian government, but representatives of some of the most important regional and Croatian festival events had their say.
"We are in the dark. We still do not have official conditions under which we could work," says Ivan Bušljeta from the Papaya group, which works on the popular Zrće beach.
They have five festivals on hold as part of the summer music festival season in Croatia, including Sonus, Hideout, and Fresh Island.
"These are festivals that would be held in five clubs and would accommodate about three to four thousand people. These are events with a long tradition and good tourists, but we still cannot answer a few key questions. Among them is whether we will be allowed to work all night. It is also important, for example, how much space will have to be provided for each visitor. We are proposing two square meters per person, which would certainly be more in the end, given that Zrće beach has one hundred thousand square meters," says Bušljeta, who has been involved in the work of the Voice of Entrepreneurs since the pandemic, fighting for the rights of employees in the event industry.
Bušljeta says that this year they plan to adhere to measures such as measuring guests' temperature, keeping records of visitors, minimizing the dance floor with bar stools and the like.
"But it is challenging for us to plan anything. We only hear speculations that our work will be banned, which we are appalled by! Our costs are there every day for production, marketing, and the like, and our future is uncertain. Someone from the economic and financial sector of the Government must urgently invite us for a discussion. Without help and instructions, we will all go bankrupt," says Bušljeta, who also says that the practice in other European countries is completely different: Britain, he says, published a timetable for easing measures two weeks ago, and countries like the Netherlands are conducting experiments to determine the behavior of the virus at music events.
When you consider the fact that vaccination is very slow, it is clear that the situation is not great.
"One of the potential solutions is for the state to provide rapid antigen tests for important tourist destinations so that those who arrive are tested already at the station, at the entrance to Zrće, or similar. Also, it would be essential for us to enable the vaccination of our staff," he says, emphasizing once again that without the help of the state, it will be difficult to achieve anything.
Last summer, Vedran Meniga of Positive Rhythm led Martinska in Šibenik, which was the only festival location in Croatia and Europe in the first pandemic summer. Five festivals and one concert were held there, and in 11 working days, i.e., six weekends, about 10,000 festivalgoers attended. The number of infected was - zero.
"We are planning and announcing a new festival season as if everything will take place, similar to last year. Dimensions and Outlook were not held last year because we couldn't welcome foreign tourists, but this time we predict that everything will go according to plan. If the situation remains similar to last year, we predict an increase of about 20 percent of visitors to those ten thousand people from last year," says Meniga.
"For each weekend, i.e., festival, we asked for a special permit from the Headquarters. We are told that we have the green light for festivals as long as there is no infection at them. We complied with all measures and worked on additional innovations. We set up disinfection points next to each place where transactions occur, paying special attention to the toilets. After the end of all the festivals, we waited another 14 days before submitting the press release. When that incubation period ended, it turned out that there were no infected people either. Also, none of the visitors to the festivals came with a fever," he says.
Outlook, Dimensions, and Seasplash have already been announced, and additional information about Regius, Kanal Fest, Blast, and Slurp! will be released soon. Outlook and Dimensions are being held this year at The Garden Resort in Tisno, and the rest will be held at Martinska in Šibenik. Meniga hopes that the summer Seasplash club in Pula will work and that another version of Slurp! could take place in Istria.
"No one can predict anything, and we all work as if everything will happen. This causes a huge amount of frustration. So many working hours are invested, and everything is uncertain. Planning in our business takes longer than realization. We spend money on salaries and promotions. We invest," says Meniga.
He points out Šibenik as a positive diameter of the city in which more than 50 cultural events were held last year.
"From the International Children's Festival at the beginning of summer to the Festival of Dalmatian Chanson at the end, the number of tourists that passed through Šibenik is approximately equal to the number of inhabitants. And everything went well," he says and adds that in almost all cases, these are events that take place outdoors.
"And those aren't hotspots," he points out.
The epidemiological situation needs to be monitored every day until the summer music festival season in Croatia
"To that extent, there is understanding towards the Headquarters. But most people from the event industry are on the verge of nervous breakdowns and bankruptcy. What is most terrifying are the double standards. While we were under restrictions last year, we witnessed no tourist facilities and that the beaches and supermarkets are full. There are, of course, also religious facilities. These things leave a lump in my throat, especially since risk groups mostly gather in those places," says Meniga and adds that he should be responsible and smart when working, which the festival organizers and their visitors are aware of.
And yet, he is optimistic.
"Until two weeks ago, we did not plan to announce Outlook and Dimensions, but as the British government announced the opening, the Brits began to buy tickets en masse. Both festivals are almost sold out. It still doesn’t guarantee anything, but it instills hope. More than a third of the nation has been vaccinated there, and they expect to reach half the population by summer, covering all vulnerable groups. All in all, we have a whole series of unknowns ahead of us, including covid passports and questions about how performers will travel concerning Brexit. But everything can be agreed upon and resolved. If we succeeded last year when the panic was much greater, we would succeed now," concludes Meniga.
When Boris Johnson announced his plan, the announcements of seven festivals that will take place this year at The Garden Resort in Tisno began.
"People waited patiently for a year to come out and socialize, so Johnson’s statements definitely gave hope. Of course, everything can change, but we are convinced that with the right health and safety protocols we can ensure a safe environment in which people can enjoy the sun, sea, and music," says Nick Colgan from The Garden Resort and notes that "people need it for their souls." He mentions that in Britain, the Love Saves The Day festival, organized by the same people from Love International, sold 19,000 tickets in nine minutes. Colgan believes the music industry will be stronger than ever after opening.
They have already started pre-production for the summer music festival season in Croatia, although they usually start earlier, even in January or February.
"What we need at the moment are instructions and a response from the authorities. We work closely with the local municipality and the tourist board, and we have agreed on assistance with the British Consulate. We need directions because we have more than 20,000 people waiting for their musical vacation," Colgan says.
They are also waiting for an answer as to whether proof of vaccination will be required to enter the festival.
"That's what governments have to say. Most of our visitors come from the UK and have a great chance of getting vaccinated by July. Combined with negative PCR tests before the trip and possible rapid tests at the festival we will be fine. Also, all of our outdoor events are small in capacity, up to 3,500 people," says Colgan.
Will Brexit affect the summer music festival season in Croatia?
"To be honest, for me, it is a mistake of the century, which means complications with bureaucracy and higher travel costs. It’s like we’re traveling back in time. I’m not sure what the new protocols will look like, but I hope they can be processed online," he says.
What more can the Government do to help festivals?
"It is not only about festivals but also about hotels, private accommodation, taxis, restaurants, cafes ... Our events have a huge impact on the economy. We need to allow ourselves to plan. We need a specific timeline to get out of action, which would prevent at least part of our financial risk if we have to cancel the season again. We need the details of this moment! We, for example, plan to employ 120 people over the summer. We should hire them now," Colgan concludes.
Could rapid antigen tests save the summer music festival season in Croatia? We will have to wait and see.
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