October 6, 2020 - The latest news for flights to Croatia as easyJet stops Dubrovnik and reduces Split, and Austrian Airlines cancels Zagreb. 

Croatian Aviation reports that easyJet completed most of its lines to Dubrovnik on the first weekend of October. Until the end of October, this well-known low-cost carrier will operate only to Split Airport.

Although easyJet flew to Pula, Zadar, Split, and Dubrovnik until the end of the season (end of October) in last year's summer flight schedule, this will not happen this year. Lines to Zadar and Pula stopped operating at the end of September, and the company planned to operate on 4 lines to Dubrovnik and eight to Split by the end of October.

easyJet further reduced traffic to Dubrovnik. In the first five days of October, it operated the last flights of this year from Bristol, Edinburgh, and London to Dubrovnik Airport. Although tickets were on sale until the very end of October, this airline decided to stop traffic much earlier than planned.

easyJet previously announced traffic on 8 international routes to Split by the end of October, but two lines, from Bristol and Glasgow to Split, were canceled.

The company now offers 6 lines to Split Airport:

Basel - Split, twice a week, until October 24,

Berlin - Split, twice a week, until October 24,

Gatwick - Split, twice a week, until October 24,

Geneva - Split, once a week, until October 24,

Luton - Split, once a week, until October 24,

Manchester - Split, once a week, until October 17.

With the end of the summer flight schedule (October 24), easyJet will suspend operations to Split Airport and end this year's summer season to Croatian airports. easyJet plans to operate to Croatian destinations in 2021 on all lines.

Croatian Aviation also reports that as confirmed to them by Austrian Airlines spokesperson, the airline will temporarily cancel the Vienna - Zagreb route in mid-October.

Austria Airlines will operate its last flight to Zagreb on Monday, October 16, while all other flights after that date have been canceled.

Exceptionally, the company plans to operate on this line during the Christmas and New Year holidays (only 10 flights), but it will depend on passenger demand. From January to the beginning of the summer flight schedule (end of March next year), Austrian will not operate on this route.

After the departure of Emirates and FlyDubai, this is another blow for Zagreb Airport. Austrian has been a long-term user of Zagreb Airport and has normally operated on this route several times a day, both in summer and winter.

After many years, this winter, Zagreb will be without a direct connection with Vienna.

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October 6, 2020 - The Split Tourist Board released September data, which isn't all too optimistic. Namely, Split recorded 82% fewer overnight stays than in the same month in 2019. 

Turizam24 reports that after a somewhat promising August, September brings quite devastating data. Due to the closure of borders and Croatia's place on the red list of many countries, most flights to Split were canceled during September. With the cancellation of flights, accommodation was also canceled. Thus, Split recorded a drop in overnight stays of 82% compared to 2019.

As we have learned from the official data of the Split Tourist Board, the statistics for September are not optimistic.

A total of 16,142 tourists entered the city of Split in September, of which 12,786 were foreigners. 3356 Croatians visited Split in September, too. 

A total of 55,682 foreign nationals spent the night in Split last month. There were much fewer Croats, who recorded only 7,831 overnight stays.

Looking at the data by nation, during September, mostly Poles (7,997) and French tourists (7,027) spent the night in Split. Interestingly, third place was taken by the Americans. There were almost no Americans during August, so 6497 overnight stays in September is not so bad. Although it is only 15% compared to 2019.

There were 1,356 Britons in Split in September, which is 80% less than in the previous year. By putting Croatia on the red list and introducing mandatory testing, the UK stopped its residents on their desired journey.

Eight hundred twenty-seven German citizens visited Split and realized 4811 overnight stays, which is only 87% less than last year. There were 95% fewer Spaniards and Italians who decided to visit Split in September 2020 compared to the same month in 2019.

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October 4, 2020 - The winner of the premiere edition of the ATP Challenger Split Open is Francisco Cerundolo, who defeated the first-seed Pedro Sousa in the tie break of a tense final.

The Argentine reduced the result, then twice failed to serve for the match in the third set before reaching his first title at a Challenger tournament. Cerundolo finally celebrated in the 13th game of the final (4:6, 6:3, 7:6 (4)). To make the story more intriguing, Cerundolo was the last tennis player to enter the main draw of the tournament directly according to the ranking. As such, he was certainly not among the winners.

Robert Pleško

"I am thrilled. This was an amazing week full of long and difficult matches. I fought in every match, and I believe this will be just the first in a series of my trophies. I hope to play all four Grand Slams next year," said the 22-year-old from Buenos Aires.

Sousa, a Lisbon native who is ten years older than Cerundolo, opened the match better. Sousa led 6-4, 1-0 with a break, but Cerundolo fought back by winning six of the next eight games. There were no breaks by the middle of the deciding set, and then the match began to heat up and reached a climax worthy of a final. Cerundolo served twice for the match, at 5:4 and 6:5, just like in the quarterfinal against Marterer, and again, as then, he did not finish the job.

Still, his more aggressive and risky game eventually paid off. It was 5-2, then 5-4, and Cerundolo managed to keep both of his serves to win in the tie break. He dropped to the ground while the spectators applauded him for the well-deserved title.

Robert Pleško

"I was nervous and tired at the end of the match. I couldn't even think anymore. I am glad that I still got a new opportunity and still won," said Cerundolo, who achieved four victories this week in three sets, which speaks volumes about his mental stability. He showed it the day before in the semifinal against Duja Ajdukovic, played in the stormy southern wind.

"It was impossible to play yesterday. I was hitting in the middle of the court because otherwise, I missed everything. It was a real mental victory," recalled the Argentine who will enter the top 200 on the ATP list for the first time tomorrow. He will receive 6,190 euro for the title in Split, while Sousa will receive 3,650 euro.

The Portuguese entered the final as a favorite, considering that he was the first seed, has more experience, played the final of the ATP tournament in Buenos Aires, and won seven Challengers.

Robert Pleško

"Today, the conditions were perfect, but that didn't help me either," commented Sousa, who is close to returning to the top 100 (he will be 111th from tomorrow).

"I hope to get closer to entering the top 100 and stay there. I like your city, it is beautiful, and the conditions are great, so I would love to come back here," said the 32-year-old Portuguese at the end.

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October 2, 2020 - Famous Split music venue and club Judino Drvo has closed its doors. The Kopilica space will now be used to host Split's newest theater. 

Dalmacija Danas reported that "Theater at the end of the city" is located in Kopilica, the infamous location of Split's 'metro' and club Judino Drvo. Now, however, it will become a place where Split locals will enjoy theatrical performances.

The space, most commonly known to Split's alternative population as Judino Drvo, has been turned into a small theater with an audience of 200 seats and all the accompanying contents. In addition to the atrium, ground floor and gallery, there is also a large stage for performances, excellent sound and lighting, and something crucial for the audience - free parking.

The main actors in this move are the UC collective led by Iris Buric.

"We are very happy to announce the imminent opening of the "Theater at the End of the City", a project that is so much needed by our city, which for years has been crying out for additional space where cultural events will be offered. From the first day I saw this space, I associated it with the theater and I believe that the audience will fall in love with this charming theater at first.

"Theater at the end of the city" is conceived as a multimedia center that will offer citizens cultural and educational content under its roof. We will open it with the autumn theater season, but our plan is to soon expand the program to children's theater performances, guitar school, acting and much more. This city does not lack content and will, it lacks adequate space and we believe that "Theater at the end of the city" will very soon become an important actor in the cultural scene of Split,"  said Buric.

Amadeus Events, which is very well known to the Split theater audience, is in charge of the program part of the theater season.

"We have been cooperating with all the most successful Croatian theaters for almost a decade. Behind us are hundreds of successful performances throughout Dalmatia in all cultural locations. But we have been dreaming for a long time to provide the citizens of Split and its surroundings with just such a place. And after almost a year of preparation, we can say with satisfaction that we have succeeded. Autumn rich in theatrical performances awaits us and we know that our audience will be very satisfied with what this theater will offer them.

We would also like to thank Građa d.d. which again had an ear for cultural projects in our city. They have once again confirmed their slogan, so when the "Theater at the end of the city" is born, the materials always stand by you!" said Amadeus.

The actresses who will soon have the opportunity to perform on Split's newest stage also commented on the news:

"The news that a new theater scene is opening is always sensational. And when something like that happens in the middle of a global pandemic, then it’s so much more. Then it’s another confirmation that theater is desperately needed. And indestructible. And to all of us who live for theater, an indispensable injection of optimism.

I am overjoyed that my new play, Vla Vla Vlajland cabaret, will be registered as the first play to take place at the Theater on the outskirts of the city," said Ecija Ojdanic.

"When we no longer have a small theater at the beginning of the city, here is a small theater at the end of the city. In addition to our large HNK, Youth Theater and Puppet Theater, we have been crying out for years for a space where we could perform plays, hold concerts and organize similar events that would enrich the cultural events in the city. And here is a small theater where we will be able to perform small and large plays - a Theater at the end of town. We wish them a happy start to the season without the coronavirus, joy and happiness for the elderly and youth," said Arijana Culina.

"Everything related to the theater in Split that is new, every man who loves this city should be happy. Culture is a mirror of our society. That is why I am especially happy that such a project with such a resounding and appropriate name "Theater at the end of the city" is being prepared in our city. From the very idea, place, concept, visual identity and program, this is a project that will change the vision of the culture of Split. I have to admit that after this project I am optimistic and a bit euphoric after a long time. A project that will raise the bar high in the city," concluded Ana Gruica Uglesic.

"Theater at the end of the city" will open its doors with a cabaret play "Vla Vla Vlajland" by author and director Ivan Leo Lema, featuring the always top performance of Ecija Ojdanic on October 9 and 10 (Friday and Saturday) at 8 pm, and October 11 ( Sunday) at 7:30 pm.

Tickets are on sale for 90 kuna from Monday, October 5, at the box office of the theater (Kopilica 24) from 3 pm to 7 pm. You can also book tickets by calling 091 9720 540.

Free parking is provided for all visitors to the theater, and the organizers also emphasize that all epidemiological measures in force will be respected.

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September 28, 2020 - As a part of the International Safe Abortion Day, a public action 'I don’t want others to decide about my body' was held today in Split on Marmontova Street for the right of women to a safe and accessible medical procedure for abortion.

Domine is a feminist NGO, a non-profit and non-partisan association aimed at promoting women's rights, which has so far organized numerous protests and public actions to point out the problems that the female population is struggling with daily.

"In the 21st century, after the rights our grandmothers have exercised, we must take to the streets and say - I will not let others decide about my body. This is intended for the Ministry of Health and the irresponsible Government, which is unable to pass a law on the right to abortion, ie freedom to decide on the female body, which they owe us in a more modern way", said Mirjana Kučer, executive coordinator of the Domine Association.

"We want the new law to be passed by the decisions of the Constitutional Court, to be more modern and to improve opportunities for women's reproductive health, and not to be a step backward. It is inadmissible that a woman who has decided to have an abortion is brought in front of a commission and that she starts to reconsider that decision", she added.

The action, among others, was supported by the president of the Smart party, MP Marijana Puljak.

At the meeting, everyone adhered to the prescribed epidemiological measures, such as social distance and wearing a mask, following what was written in the invitation of the Domine association to public action.

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September 28, 2020 - The 6th round of the Croatian First League was held on September 26 and 27, 2020. In this round, Hajduk topped Varazdin at a very stormy Poljud, while Osijek was better than Gorica. The games between Dinamo and Rijeka, and Lokomotiva and Slaven Belupo were postponed due to obligations in the Europa League.

Istra 1961 v. Sibenik (1:0)

Istra and Sibenik opened the 6th round on Saturday, September 26, 2020, in Pula. 

The only goal of the match came in the 39th minute when Ivancic scored for 1:0 at the half. Grzan missed a penalty in the 70th minute and failed to increase Istra's lead. The game ended 1:0.

Istra is currently in 9th place with 4 points, while Sibenik is in 8th with 4 points. 

Osijek v. Gorica (2:1)

Osijek and Gorica met on Saturday, September 26, 2020, at City Garden Stadium. 

Mierez scored a penalty for Osijek in the 3rd minute of the ref's added time, just before the half. A Doka double-yellow saw Gorica play with a man down from the 72nd minute. Gorica, however, was able to equalize in the 84th minute thanks to a Lovric goal. Grgic put Osijek back in the lead in the 7th minute of added time for a final score of 2:1.

Osijek is currently in 4th place with 10 points, while Gorica is in 2nd place with 13 points. 

Hajduk v. Varazdin (2:0)

Hajduk and Varazdin closed out the 6th round on Sunday, September 27, 2020, at Poljud Stadium. 

Gyursco scored an early goal for Hajduk in the 5th minute to put them ahead 1:0. A Pellumbi red card for Varazdin in the 15th minute did not help them equal the score. 

A penalty was awarded to Hajduk in the 50th minute, which Caktas scored for 2:0. A vicious storm erupted in the game's final minutes, which you can see in the video below. 

Hajduk is currently in 3rd place with 10 points, while Varazdin is in 5th with 7. 

Dinamo and Rijeka, and Lokomotiva and Slaven Belupo, will play their 6th round matches in the first free term.

You can see the full HNL table here. 

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September 27, 2020 - From Monday, September 28, the citizens of Split will have the opportunity to see the exhibition '100 Years of Jadran'.

As Slobodna Dalmacija reports, the occasion of the hundredth anniversary of this water polo and swimming club, an exhibition that chronologically follows the tradition of the swimming and water polo club Jadran will be opened in the Photo Gallery of the Photo Club Split at 7 pm, from the very beginning until today.

"The photos will remind us of the days of the founding of Jadran, the construction of homes, swimming pools on Zvončac, the two biggest sporting successes of the water polo club, two European titles and swimming legends of Jadran, well-known male and female faces who marked Jadran swimming feats. The photos will remind us of recent history, of two Olympian swimmers thanks to whom Jadran is writing a new history today and renovating its 'home' ", it is stated in the announcement.

By the way, Jadran was founded on September 23, 1920, in Baluni Bay on the west side of the port of Split.

"The initiative was launched at the constituent session of the Maritime Sports Association Baluni. The first president was Frane Aljinović, and on July 24, 1921, the club officially opened the doors of its 'home'. The first public match after the First World War was played on July 30, 1922, at the first Sub-Federal Championship in water polo and swimming in which the Baluni team defeated Firule 5: 1", they recall from the Photo Club Split.

Not everything went smoothly for Jadran. Their home was destroyed in a fire twice, the first time in 1925 and again exactly ten years later.

"On the night between April 20 and 21, 1935, the clubhouse burned down again and it was decided to build a new one in the neighboring Zvončac bay. During 1936, eight cabins were built, a swimming pool was excavated, a wall was erected towards the cemetery, showers were installed, a water installation was arranged, and temporary grandstands were built. With coach Neven Kovačević, the Jadran team became the champion of Yugoslavia in 1991, at the last championship in which Croatian clubs participated", it is stated in the announcement.

Jadran has twice won the title of European champion, and as many as nineteen times they have been national champions.

An exhibition '100 years of Jadran' on the club’s rich history will remain open until October 7th.

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September 27, 2020 - Divota Apartment Hotel in Split has opened a yoga and meditation center as part of its holistic spa offer. Meet the Divota Yoga Garden! 

Slobodna Dalmacija reports that directly opposite the new mural on Plinarska Street, there is a small antique door on an old stone house. Green, wooden, with an opening covered with a masterfully executed "lattice" of wrought iron. When you head down a long portico corridor paved with old stone slabs, you don’t expect much and actually wonder where this magical garden might be. As you continue along, you come across a small stone courtyard - and then a view of the greenest oasis in this part of town appears. 

The garden is surrounded by an old wall on one side and low buildings blended into the ambiance. Silence, peace, and relaxation are inescapable. This calming atmosphere was the goal in designing this newly opened Divota Yoga Garden, which will be a place for not only guests of the Divota hotel to relax, but also for citizens who can practice yoga here.

And we are not talking about just any yoga exercises, but Tibetan healing yoga, which, according to the teacher of zen-yoga, Lu Jong yoga and retreat manager at the Divota Yoga Garden, Sandra Neretljakovic, has not been applied in Croatia thus far.

Rainee Wang

Lana Lakic Kolic, the general manager of the Divota hotel, said that the Divota owner lives in Switzerland and is an avid follower of yoga and healthy living. Now she has finally found a place in Split where she can combine those two things, and even more than that; to offer guests and yoga students drinks and snacks from raw products grown according to permaculture in their fields in Smokovika and Meje.

Rainee Wang

In an area of about 900 square meters, there is a 108-square-meter hall with sliding glass walls, which is now open so people can enjoy the greenery as they exercise.

The entire architectural project was led by architect Sasa Bui, who revealed that everything was created following conservation conditions. However, they sought to achieve harmony between modern and classical.

"Everything here had to be of simple shapes, clean lines, simply as the whole of Varos is. The hall is surrounded by greenery and it was important to connect the interior and exterior, and they imagined that exterior as an enchanted Mediterranean garden," says Sasa Bui. It will be even more magical when the recently-planted plants grow, the architect notes. 

Rainee Wang

Arsen Roje, together with Erik Radic, devised the landscaping.

"We imagined a real Mediterranean garden with olive trees, cypresses. We have preserved two older laurels and a fig tree on the east side. We wanted to achieve a functional space 'divided' by plants.

Around the main trail, we planted a trellis of olives and rosemary. In the middle is a lawn on which to practice, and in the middle is a 'pepper tree,' or the Latin Schinus molle, which will grow and create shade. It is evergreen and has a beautiful trunk, bumpy like an olive. We divided the space with other plants into small places where benches will be placed, as small booths for resting after exercises. We also paid attention to the colors in the garden, that they are in line with the colors of Divota, white, blue, shades of purple... and everything to blend with old courtyards," said Arsen Roje.

Rainee Wang

Lana Lakic Kolic revealed that they lowered the materials, plants, and all large items into the courtyard with the help of a large crane located across from the house.

Lakic added that everything will be ecologically maintained in the center as well, and be cleaned daily with vinegar and baking soda.

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September 25, 2020 - The ATP Challenger Split Open is nearly here! Qualifications begin on Saturday, September 26, in Firule, and two days later, on Monday, September 28, the main tournament will start, which will last until Sunday, October 4.

On this occasion, a press conference was held today at the Cornaro Hotel in Split, where the director of the tournament, Ismar Moralic, revealed the latest information regarding the list of registered players, but also the name of the famous guest who will visit the tournament:

"We are honored to announce that a Viktor Troicki is coming, Damir Dzumhur will train in Split over the next few days, and the absolute legend Mr. Pat Cash is coming in the coaching role. He was last in Split in 1985 and is really looking forward to returning. I think this is great news for the first edition of the tournament."

The even better news is that the stands will be open to fans. Admittedly, not at full capacity.

"We have received confirmation from the Croatian Institute of Public Health that the number will be limited to 20 percent of the stand's capacity. We wish it were more, but we are happy that people will still attend the matches. We will organize the tournament according to the strict measures of ATP and HZJZ," said Moralic.

The final list of players will be announced later in the day, and the draw for the main tournament is scheduled for Sunday. Some of the registered tennis players are still playing Roland Garros' qualifiers, so that the list will depend on that.

We are waiting for the negative test results of all tennis players, and only then can we publish the final list. The first player below the line is Tommy Robredo, the former fifth-best player in the world. That speaks enough about the quality of the registered players," says Moralic.

There will be 32 tennis players in the main tournament, 16 in the qualifiers, and 16 teams in the doubles competition. Three invitations for the main tournament were given to local players Borna Gojo and Duje Ajdukovic from Split and Nino Serdarusic from Zagreb. The coach of the Croatian Davis Cup national team, Vedran Martic, who spoke on behalf of the Croatian Tennis Association as a tournament partner, said:

"I am a child of Firule, and I am happy that the tournament is being held since many are in trouble and canceling them, that's what Moscow did. We don't have many tournaments in Croatia at the moment, so this is the right step for us, especially since we mostly only had Futures, which is a higher level. In the main event, all players are between 100th and 200th place in the ATP rankings. There will be good matches, and the audience will enjoy it. Let's hope the weather serves us."

Martic pointed out how much the invitations will help Croatian tennis players.

"Gojo and Serdarusic would otherwise have to play qualifiers for a tournament like this, and Ajdukovic would not. Gojo played the Challenger quarterfinals in Romania this week, Duje won Futures last week, Nino is also playing well."

In addition to the Croatian Tennis Federation, full support for the tournament was given by the "Tennis Club Split 1950" in terms of logistics and workforce. Its president Ivica Kekez believes that this Challenger can and must be the beginning of a much bigger story:

"Next year or in two years, depending on the ambitions of the City of Split and the tournament organizers, we can become an ATP tournament similar to Umag. There is no reason not to. We have the infrastructure that we will further upgrade and make a basic arrangement, we are beautifully positioned, and we have the predisposition to become a small Monte Carlo."

Director Moralic also revealed that tickets for the main tournament would cost 20 kuna. From the quarterfinal matches starting on Friday, October 2, their price will increase slightly until the final, costing 50 kuna.

"I believe that it is accessible to everyone, and it will guarantee quality tennis," added Moralic and thanked everyone who made the tournament possible, which was not an easy task in such corona conditions.

"We only received confirmation on August 1 that the season continues. In just seven weeks, we organized the tournament. Thanks to the City of Split, Split-Dalmatia County, the tourist boards of the City of Split and Split-Dalmatia County, TK Split 1950, the Public Institution Sports Facilities... It is no small thing to organize such a large international tournament in such a short time," concluded Moralic.

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September 25, 2020 - The latest news for flights to Croatia as Air Serbia maintains one route to Croatia in October. 

Croatian Aviation reports that Serbian national airline Air Serbia has announced its flight schedule for October this year. Two lines will stop operating - to Dubrovnik and Split.

This summer, Air Serbia operated to Split, Dubrovnik, and Zagreb. Due to the impact of the pandemic, lines from Belgrade to Pula, Rijeka, and Zadar were canceled. Under normal circumstances, Air Serbia operated to Adriatic airports until the end of the summer flight schedule, but this year, that will not happen. Air Serbia will stop operating to Dubrovnik by the end of September, and the line to Split will be canceled at the beginning of October.

Air Serbia will land in Dubrovnik today for the last time this season. On the last flight, a B737-300 aircraft (capacity of 144 seats) was announced. Thus, Air Serbia will conclude operations on the Belgrade - Dubrovnik route for this summer season.

On the Belgrade - Split line, the last flight was announced for Sunday, October 4, and one flight is available before that date, on Friday, October 2. In last year's summer flight schedule, this line operated throughout October. Still, due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic or reduced demand, the company decided to cancel it earlier than planned.

The only Air Serbia route that remains in traffic in the winter flight schedule to Croatia is the line between Belgrade and Zagreb. Although there were 10 flights a week on this route, Air Serbia plans 3 flights per week in October this year, every Monday, Friday, and Sunday in the evening. ATR72 aircraft with a capacity of 70 seats have been announced on this route.

Air Serbia has very often canceled certain departures on flights to Croatia in this year's summer flight schedule, so it remains to be seen whether the three flights per week to Zagreb will take place according to current announcements.

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