February 28, 2020 - Ultra Europe's main man Joe Basic talks about the potential of the music festival in Split - and things are just getting started.

Within the “Talk & Grow by UNIST" lecture cycle, organized by the University of Split, Joe Basic, founder and director of MPG, a leading marketing and promotional agency in Southeast Europe, and director and promoter of Ultra Europe, explained how Split had become the world's leading destination for music tourism.

Namely, Slobodna Dalmacija reports that in his lecture, which he called "A Small Country for a Big Music Festival", Basic said, among other things, that one music festival could generate more than HRK 10 billion in additional spending, as it manages to attract the attention of 200 million people from around the world annually, and how much that ad is really worth.

“When we surveyed young people in 2013, only 34 percent of them knew how to show Croatia on the world map. Today, thanks to Ultra, 67 percent know where it is,” Bašić boasted.

He did his best to explain all of what Split would lose in the next five years if by any chance that famous, world-renowned electronic music festival left our town:

“The numbers are large, they would lose two million overnights, one billion euro spent, 150 million euro in the name of taxes, and Split would definitely not be the number one European destination for young people between 18 and 35,” said Basic.

He answered the students, who asked him questions about the problems he had discovered with Croatian bureaucracy and about his Croatian roots, but he also emphasized that Ultra in Split had not yet reached its maximum.

“I’m sure we're only halfway there. We have the opportunity to reach half a million overnights. By comparison, in the beginning, the ticket cost 85 euro, today it costs 169 euro, then, seven years ago, Split had only 6,700 beds, today there are 36,000. Overnights in 2013 were 24 euro, and today it is 67 euro, on average,” Basic concluded.

Ultra already announced the new release of Ultra Europe, which will take place from July 10-12, 2020.

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

February 26, 2020 - The Split Tourist Board comments on coronavirus and its effect on tourism.  

The extent to which coronavirus will affect tourism in Split is still unknown, but as the Split Tourist Board director Alijana Vukšić revealed, the bookings are going according to plan for now. Still, they will know more after the Berlin fair, reports Dalmatinski Portal.

“The World Tourism Organization recommends that travel is not canceled and that tourist traffic is running normally,” said Vukšić.

She also said that they are being cautious and monitoring the situation day by day, but the best indicator will be the recent Berlin Fair. Everyone is waiting for the situation to develop by then.

“Given that tourism is a susceptible industry, the appearance of coronaviruses will surely be affected; we just hope it will be short-lived and that the situation will normalize quickly. A large part of our fellow citizens live solely on tourism and, therefore, we do not need to raise tensions and be too worried, but we have to be careful,” the director concluded.

A second case of coronavirus infection was confirmed in Croatia overnight. The person was in close contact with the person identified as the first case, and a third person who was in contact has initially tested negative, the head of the Fran Mihaljević hospital for infectious diseases, Alemka Markotić, said on Wednesday.

The persons infected are exhibiting mild symptoms, they receive the necessary medication and no complications are expected, Markotić told a press conference at the national civil protection headquarters.

"We have started to administer an antiviral drug that is otherwise used in HIV cases because it might be effective," she added.

Media say that the second person to contract the coronavirus in Croatia is the brother of the young man who tested positive on Tuesday. The young man works with the Ericsson Nikola Tesla company in Zagreb. Last week he had been to Milan, Italy with his girlfriend to watch a Champions League match; she tested negative.

A total of 72 people in Croatia have been tested for coronavirus so far.

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

February 26, 2020 - Over the last few days, we’ve seen a steady increase of Bolt electric scooters popping up in various locations around Split. So, what’s the deal?

Dalmatinski Portal writes that a new service from Europe's leading on-demand transportation platform - Bolt Electric Scooters - was unveiled today in Split. Ivan Begovic, a specialist in operations at Bolt, spoke about the new service.

“One of our initiatives is the 'Green Plan', which aims to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, and part of the project is the introduction of electric scooters in cities. So far, we have marketed these scooters in Madrid, Malaga, Faro, Tallinn and others, and we are trying to expand the number of cities. We are glad that Split is the first in Southeast Europe to receive this type of service. This would not have been possible without the cooperation with the City of Split, who allowed us to present this new service to you,” said Begovic, who then explained what kind of permit they had received from the City.

“We have a license from the City to test the vehicles, which is still valid today, and we will arrange further steps with the City to provide our service to the citizens of Split. The scooters will not be rented unless the City agrees. We have the right to have them today because they are legally considered pedestrians,” he added.

The option of renting and driving the e-scooters is already available to the citizens within the existing Bolt app. Unlocking the scooter costs 4 kuna, and each minute of use is 1 kuna and 30 lipa. Users can unlock the service free during the test period. Electric scooters are placed in specially designated locations within the city, and must not be left within protected areas and the old city center.

"The electric scooters drive at 20 kilometers per hour, and in certain locations such as Diocletian's Palace, the speeds are limited. The Palace itself is an area where we have banned the use of electric scooters, and if used, there is a fine of HRK 300. The application will automatically fine you if you violate the movement in the restricted areas. We cannot prohibit users from bringing scooters to zones, but they can only be pushed in the area. Namely, in these zones you can drive it exclusively as a normal car. We encourage drivers to behave responsibly on the road, obey traffic rules and pay attention to the safety of the environment in which they are moving,” Ivan said, revealing locations where the cars are currently available.

“For now, the scooters are located at Matejuška, at the beginning of the Riva (bottom of the Pazar) and near Stari Plac. These are the locations for now. The electric scooters will be assembled, taken out for service and refueled in the evening to be ready for use the next day,” he concluded.

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

February 26, 2020 - Before the start of another tourist season, the Croatian tourist offer will have the chance shine at the 25th International GAST Fair - the central gathering place for the target audience, such as restaurant owners, hotels and family hotels, small renters and catering establishments from all over Dalmatia. GAST 2020 takes place from February 26 to 29, 2020, at the Spaladium Arena in Split.

If you want to try your hand at competing, launch new products, show off the best you have, win new market space, find new partners and strengthen your relationships with existing ones, GAST 2020 offers quality exhibitors and a rich professional program of conferences and workshops, enabling you to be part of the most important, leading gastronomic and tourist event in Croatia, to realize your business potential and participate in a professionally managed media campaign.

GAST 2020 includes several specialized fairs:

25th International Nutrition Fair

25th International Beverage Fair

25th International Hotel and Catering Equipment Fair

25th Dionysian International Wine Fair

17th International Furniture Fair - Furnitura

15th International Coffee Fair

15. Tourism Fair - Saturn

5th International Ice Cream and Dessert Fair

GAST 2020, as in previous years, follows many interesting events:

Dionysian - 25th International Wine and Spirits Appraisal and Winemaking Ceremony - Leading Croatia!

9. Tourist network

Split gastro scene - gastro novelties for the tourist season

Everyday Show Cooking

Pastry workshops

Creating wine lists

Guided wine workshops

The Bartender Show

Chef's Charity Show: "Famous in the Kitchen

Dalmacija Danas reports that "Potentials, Perspectives and the Future" is the name of a panel conference to be held as part of the 9th Tourist Network at the GAST Fair, on February 26, from 12 to 2:30 pm at the Spaladium Arena Conference Hall. The co-organizer of the conference is the Croatian Chamber of Economy, County Chamber of Split.

The conference program includes three panels. The first panel is dedicated to the potential of cultural tourism and the presentation of the Mirabilia network. It will be attended by representatives of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce - County Chamber of Split, Tourist Board of Solin and Split, Virovitica-Podravina, Osijek-Baranja and Split-Dalmatia Counties.

Perspectives on adventure tourism are the topic of the second panel, which will be discussed by consultants and representatives of the Croatian Chamber of Economy - County Chamber of Split, Baranja Tourist Board and SDŽ, Nature Park Biokovo.

The future of plastic-free tourism, which is one of the main messages of this year's GAST 2020 fair and the topic of the third panel, will be discussed by representatives of the Tourism and Maritime Administration of the County Chamber of Commerce, CCE - Split County Chambers, Public Institutions of RERASDZ, EkoCortec, Institute for Organic Technology Chemical of the Faculty of Technology (Biocompack project) and the company Purity and Radisson Blu.

Tourism is one of the most propulsive industries both in the world and in Croatia. There are numerous examples of developmental and different challenges, and the need for new content that is year-round and sustainable has already launched many new activities and projects.

By organizing a panel conference, “Potentials, Perspectives and the Future,” awareness will be raised of the need to develop sustainable tourism throughout the year as an indispensable content of all forms of contemporary tourism.

Opening hours of the GAST fair are from 09.30 to 19.00. You can read more about the fair here.

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

February 25, 2020 - Organized by the Marjan Marathon Club, Split once again became one of Europe's leading racing destinations over the weekend thanks to the Split Marathon. 

Dalmacija Danas writes that the first-ever marathon and 20th edition of the half marathon began on Sunday at 9 am and finished in the afternoon around 3 pm. 

“Over three thousand competitors from all over the world were in Split over the weekend, which presented a beautiful postcard of Split, Dalmatia, and Croatia. A lot of people have worked on this and we finally have a real marathon,” said State Secretary for Tourism Tonci Glavina.

Split Mayor Andro Krstulovic Opara emphasized that this was excellent promotion and an excellent success for the organizers.

"This is the first time we have a marathon in Split. We've had a half marathon so far. We have grown into a beautiful event. The start took more than three minutes. More than three thousand people passed us, who ran the streets of the most beautiful city in the world,” Opara concluded on Sunday. 

The Split Marathon event saw a record number of participants this year, or over 4,000, who ran on the Marathon and Half Marathon routes below. 

The Split Marathon route:

Route: Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda – Marmontova ulica – Ulica kralja Tomislava – Zagrebačka ulica – Manuška poljana – Livanjska – Ulica Domovinskog rata – ulica Zbora narodne garde – Ulica Domovinskog rata – Solinska ulica – Splitska ulica – Krešimirova ulica – Obala pomoraca – Krešimirova ulica – Splitska ulica – Solinska ulica – Hercegovačka ulica – Put Supavla – Lora – Zrinsko Frankopanska – Osmih mediteranskih igara – Stadion Poljud – Osmih mediteranskih igara – ZrInsko Frankopanska – Ulica 7 Kaštela – Matoševa ulica – Šetalište Marina Tartaglie – Šetalište Ivana Meštrovića – Obala kneza Branimira – Trumbićeva obala – Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda – Obala Lazareta – Obala kneza Domagoja – HŽ Bačvice – Plaža Bačvice – Šetalište Petra Preradovića – Put Firula – Spinčićeva ulica – Šetalište Kalafata – Šetalište pape Ivana Pavla II – OKRET – Šetalište pape Ivana Pavla II – Šetalište Kalafata – Spinčićeva ulica – Put Firula – Šetalište Petra Preradovića – Hatzeov perivoj – Ulica Matije Gupca – Prilaz braće Kaliterna – Plaža Bačvice – HŽ Bačvice – Obala kneza Domagoja – Obala Lazareta – Hrvojeva ulica – Ulica kralja Tomislava – Marmontova ulica – Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda – FINISH

The 20th edition of Split Half Marathon ran on an AIMS certified track: 

Route: Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda – Marmontova ulica – Ulica kralja Tomislava – Zagrebačka ulica -Manuška poljana – Livanjska – Ulica Domovinskog rata – ulica Zbora narodne garde – Ulica Domovinskog rata – Stinice ulica – Put Supavla – Lora – Zrinsko Frankopanska – Osmih mediteranskih igara – Stadion Poljud – Osmih mediteranskih igara – Zrinsko Frankopanska – Ulica 7 Kaštela – Matoševa ulica – Šetalište Marina Tartaglie – Šetalište Ivana Meštrovića – Obala kneza Branimira – Trumbićeva obala – Obala Hrvatskog narodnog preporoda – FINISH

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

February 24, 2020 - The Croatian Roads plan for this year includes projects worth 487 million kuna in the area of Split-Dalmatia County, which should address the paralyzing traffic, which is particularly pronounced in the summer months. 

Dalmatinski Portal reports that these are the projects that were agreed at the Government session in Split almost two years ago. The Minister of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure, Oleg Butkovic, said that the government was well aware that Split and Split-Dalmatia County were behind the rest of Croatia in terms of traffic.

“All projects are planned, which means that they will be realized. We are working on preparing quality documentation so that we can apply for EU funds and secure financing.  We will not be able to apply all projects, but what cannot be covered will be financed from the state budget,” said Butkovic.

The Solin area was defined as the biggest problem, which has seen a 20 percent increase in traffic over the past five years, and the busy intersection in Stobrec with over 50,000 vehicles passing through it daily. The solution is the fast road to Omis, and the project is being prepared for EU funds.

“With the implementation of these projects, southern Croatia will be in line with northern Croatia and Primorje-Gorski Kotar County,” said prefect Blaženko Boban.

The plans include reorganizing the Split network, which will include the continuation of the Split bypass to Omiš, the overpass at Širina, leveling the intersection in Stobrec, the first phase of the Vučević-Kozjak tunnel junction, which will also allow the construction of the tunnel itself, and further connect to the Adriatic highway towards the Ferry port. It also includes a bridge over the Bay of Kastela. As for the huge traffic jams through the Ferry Port, an emergency solution with a junction to Poljička Road is planned, and the exit from the Ferry Port will go over two lanes. The plan also includes the construction of Solinska Street and Zagorski put as a new entrance to Split, and a second ramp will be built from the National Assembly to Poljička. Public procurement for works on the Mravina ramp will start in September.

Mayor of Split, Andro Krstulovic Opara, says that he is pleased that the segments of the Master Plan for the Development of the City Port and Kopilica are being adopted through the planned projects.

“The Split Ferry Port is the most important island facility. This is where most of the demographic problem is addressed. The ferry port and Kopilica mean not only the connection of the islands, but also all of the south,” he said.

In the County, Croatian Roads also plans to work on the intersection in Makarska, reconstructing the Makarska-Vrgorac road, the Imotski-Zagvozd-border road with BiH, constructing the road on Hvar Poljica-Sucuraj, and the connection via Drvenik to the Ravča junction, Dicmo bypass. Croatian motorways will upgrade the Dugopolje and Rašćane juctions, and HŽ plans to continue with the design and construction of stations on the route planned to connect the Ferry and Airport by the railway.

Following the presentation on what is currently being done on each project, Butkovic signed contracts for a grant of around 20 million kuna for port infrastructure projects for the Split-Dalmatia and Dubrovnik-Neretva counties.

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

February. 24, 2020 - The 23rd round of the Croatian First League was held from February 21 to 23, 2020. This round featured an unexpected Hajduk blowout against Gorica, while Rijeka topped Osijek in this weekend's derby.

Varazdin v. Lokomotiva (0:2)

Varazdin and Lokomotiv opened the 23rd round on Friday, February 21, 2020, in Varazdin in front of 1,787 fans.

Lokomotiva scored both goals in the first half thanks to Uzini (7’) and Karacic (38’). 

Varazdin is currently in the last place with 15 points, while Lokomotiva is in 5th with 37.

Hajduk v. Gorica (6:0)

Hajduk and Gorica met on Saturday, February 22, 2020, at Poljud stadium in front of 8,847 fans. 

Hajduk’s scoring spree starting in the 10th minute when Krekovic scored for 1:0. Jairo increased their lead in the 35th for 2:0, and Caktas made it 3:0 six minutes before the half. 

Caktas scored again for 4:0 in the 47th, and Jairo’s penalty made it 5:0 in the 56th. Eduok scored 8 minutes after being subbed in for the final score of 6:0.

Hajduk is currently in 2nd place with 44 points, while Gorica is in 6th with 31.

Rijeka v. Osijek (1:0)

Rijeka and Osijek met on Saturday, February 22, 2020, at Rujevica stadium.

Gorgon scored the only goal of the game in the 11th minute for the Rijeka lead. Osijek’s Skoric was given a red card in the final minute of regulation time, and the game ended 1:0.

Rijeka is currently in 3rd place with 41 points, while Osijek is in 4th with 38.

Dinamo v. Inter Zapresic (3:2)

Dinamo and Inter met on Sunday, February 23, 2020, at Maksimir stadium in front of 2,378 fans. 

Dinamo’s Leovac scored in the 6th minute to make it 1:0, though Bosec equalized just before the half to make it 1:1.

Kadzior helped Dinamo retake the lead in the 60th minute for 2:1, and Orsic missed a penalty in the 68th to keep the game at that score.

Gavranovic made up for the miss in the 72nd minute for 3:1, though Andric gave Inter their second goal in the first minute of injury time for a final score of 3:2.

Dinamo is currently in first place with 56 points, while Inter is in 8th with 17.

Istra 1961 v. Slaven Belupo (1:1)

Istra and Belupo closed out the 23rd round on Sunday, February 23, 2020, in Pula in front of 830 fans.

Paez scored for the Istra lead in the 4th minute, though Krstanovic equalized in the 33rd minute for 1:1, which was the final score of the game.

Istra is currently in 9th place with 16 points, while Belupo is in 7th with 22.

You can see the full HNL table here.

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

February 23, 2020 - For the third year in a row, AndAdventure is organizing the humanitarian and educational campaign Maestralan Hike on March 14, 2020.

The Maestralan Hike is an admirable endeavor from the team at AndAdventure to give back to the community while creating an active atmosphere for everyone involved.

The idea of the Maestralan Hike is a humanitarian and educational campaign for the kids of the Maestral Children’s Home in Split. The team at AndAdventure has prepared a guided mountaineering trip to Mosor with workshops at the Ljuvač meadow (at the foot of the Umberto Girometta mountain hut) to give the kids of Maestral a chance to adventure in the mountains, play in nature, and learn new skills. By organizing this event, AndAdventure hopes the children of the home can be educated and find higher interests in the benefits of an active life outdoors.

Furthermore, the ultimate goal of the humanitarian action is to raise funds to provide children with the necessary equipment for sports and recreation, and to enable the education of young mountaineers at the HPD Mosor Children's Mountaineering School.

Schedule for March 14, 2020 

9:00 AM

Children and organizers meet in the parking lot of HEP (Poljička)

9:30 AM

Arrival in Sitno Gornje (ground parking at the beginning of the hiking trail)

9:45 AM

Start hiking to the mountain lodge

11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Games workshops and entertainment in the meadow

3:00 PM

Return to Sitno Gornje

Maestralan hike is an event that gathers nature lovers and the children of the Maestral home in Split for a humanitarian hike. Through donations, the children and institutions are gifted with sports equipment. 

For any questions about how to get involved, how to get there and what to expect, call 0916047664 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. You can also track the Facebook event here.

Join AndAdventure for the day, or if you’d like to support the cause, you can donate money for sports equipment to HR9225030071100103296.

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

February 22, 2020 - Become one with the secrets of springtime and awaken your body and being to a whole new level this April at divota apartment hotel in Split. 

divota apartment hotel, one of the most cherished accommodation offers in Split today, is turning a new leaf to wellness in 2020.

With energy work already at the core of their company culture for years, divota apartment hotel is using the new year to offer unique wellness practices, many of which will be new experiences to the Dalmatian capital.

In an effort to help guests live and lead a more holistic life, divota will promote the powers of springtime and begin their wellness journey with a Silence & Anti-Aging Health Retreat led by Shai Tubali this Easter. 

Shai Tubali has been an international speaker, author, and spiritual teacher for over 18 years, and is considered one of Europe's leading experts and innovators in the field of chakras and the subtle system. Shai Tubali combines psychology, philosophy, Yogic traditions, and Eastern thought and practices into powerful processes of inner transformation.

Thus, this April at divota, Shai Tubali will teach you the secrets of being young and fresh through profound meditation states, unique practices, a deep state of rejuvenating silence, and a thorough knowledge of the body and subtle body system. Shai Tubali combines his experience and deep understanding of health and spirituality to help you create a transformative rejuvenation in your body, mind, and spirit. 

Romulic & Stojcic

Through inspiring talks, guided meditations, special health practices, and supportive, bespoke nutrition, the silence retreat will help you become one with the secrets of springtime and awaken your body and being to a whole new level of vitality and well-being. Participants will also enjoy full accommodation at divota apartment hotel, and vegan, organic, and healthy homemade food.

Participants can even choose to enhance their retreat experience by adding individual treatments like Shiatsu or Kum Nye Tibetan healing massage, to name a few. 

The Silence & Anti-Aging Health Retreat is scheduled from April 11 to 15, 2020. The retreat will be held in English with live translation into German. You can find more information about the program, cost, and accommodation at divota apartment hotel HERE.

But that’s not all guests can look forward to at divota apartment hotel this year.

Stay tuned for the announcement of even more retreats that will take guests well into the summer season, while the opening of the divota yoga garden, meditation center, and healthy corner will delight guests this spring. 

divota apartment hotel is the only holistic city retreat hotel in Croatia and an unmatched boutique hotel located in the heart of Split that has added a spark to the Varos neighborhood since it first opened its doors. 

Formed by 13 stone houses, divota boasts cozy rooms, studio apartments, and an authentic Dalmatian villa, while its breakfast room, spa, and concierge are just some of its perks. 

A pioneer in harmonizing the Mediterranean authenticity of the area with a contemporary and stylish twist, divota operates with high hotel standards, allows guests a full range of services, and promises a powerhouse of professionals to ensure your stay is decorated with all of the right elements. 

To make sure you never miss a divota beat, be sure to follow them on Facebook and check out their rooms, studio apartments, and villa here.

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

February 21, 2020 - Winter life on the Dalmatian coast is a fraction of its summer energy. But not everyone is hibernating, and indeed some are finding very creative ways to fill the void. 

Last night, I entered a souvenir shop to find a performing artist was crouching inside a Coca Cola fridge. When not in a fridge in a closed shop on the usually empty-all-winter Zadarska Ulica, Mia Kevo is dancing. Of late, Mia runs choreographed and improvised dance programs for people with disabilities around Croatia. This is one of many local and international artists - including photographers, filmmakers, urbanism researchers, who are part of the program for Culture Hub Croatia’s (CHC) PRAZNINE 2020 - an international artist program, loosely translating to VOIDS 2020. The program makes use of spaces which sit empty in winter due to unsustainable tourism practices - and is sign youth who are gaining expertise outside, are taking steps to change things in their hometowns - and in general, being supported by local businesses who see the need to re-energise coastal cities.

I’m writing this sitting in a pop up coworking space on Bosanska 4 in Split with one of the CHC founders, Marina Batinic, originally from Split and based between her hometown and Brussels. In the summer, this pop up cowork space functions as a souvenir shop - across the Game of Thrones Museum. The owner, Sanja, opened her doors and supports the space for artists initiative. Like so many, hers is a business reliant upon crowds - who disappear by around 1 November. I’m surrounded by handmade items from Dalmatia - from jewelry, paintings, sculptures and behind a brown box a sign for ‘magical bottles’. I’ll have to come back in the Summer to peruse the items for sale. These are the kind of sustainably-minded thinking businesses to support. (Looking out the window, I note even the GoT museum is boarded up). Marina is part of the culture hub trio, also included Jasmina Šarić and Kristina Tešija - all who are making a commitment to bringing international, cultural initiatives to their hometown, operating based on citizen support. 

Sitting here with Marina, we discuss the changes we’d like to see and the challenges each of us has encountered - from local mindset, to tiring after swimming against a wave bigger than just a few people. Personally, being a champion for Remote Working and digital nomads (for which this country is an ideal destination) conversations like this are common - if only with a small handful of those ‘taking things into their own hands’. Sometimes, it’s like an inner tennis match going on, when you think about the number of people leaving - and yet, the number interested in coming. So why aren’t these people coming back?

• Infrastructure. 

• A lack of faith in a system they left.

• Easier (perhaps) living on greener pastures. But is it, really? 

In the last month alone, I have a renewed optimism, from reading and speaking to members of the upcoming Day One tourism conference, and people - with established careers outside of Croatia, choosing Croatia or coming back - coming back due to the need for role models and mentors. In the words of Mate, one such accomplished gentleman among them, “if I don’t who will?” Thank you, Mate. Are there more like you? 

To return to the program, which does more than show this is an ideal, if under-utilised place for activity in the off-season, Marina shared more about the motivation and thinking behind PRAZNINE 2020.

“We invited artists from the region because the aim was to bring their artistic production more closer to the people. We’re not used to seeing contemporary art production at all and we don’t really collaborate in the region. We wanted to use arts to facilitate this dialogue and understanding. We have artists from North Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo and Bosnia. We want to meet these people and understand their work.

This is why we chose to have ‘open studios’ - even people who don’t understand contemporary art - to make people interact.

These Balkan countries need more dialogue. We wanted to use art as a means [for this].” 

CHC are part of a wider international network, and now bringing their international connections to their hometown. 

“We didn't want to limit the program only to the arts and open studios but we opened our calendar to the local community and other civil society organisations who were able to make their proposals for events and organize them in one of these spaces. In this way we allow everyone to shape their own city and gain back the ownership over it.”

Sitting here, our joint guesstimate 60 to 70 per cent of the Split palace and the surrounding area is empty over winter. In setting up for their event, 35 promotional red dot stickers were printed - to be placed on empty “boarded up” businesses. They were used up in a matter of minutes. 

For the finalé event, representatives from the European Creative Hubs Network (EHCN), Luka Piskoric from Poligon Ljubljana and Istanbul’s Atölye’s Atılım Şahin are coming. It is a great opportunity to see what is happening with Creative Hubs in the region on a wider scale. 

--

WORTH RETURNING? IF ONLY THE “VOID” SEASON

In an era which is increasingly enabling and empowering remote work and digital nomadism - why isn’t the mini-Croatia in Dublin and the like thinking about basing here? If only during the “off-season”. It sure is sunnier. And with making use of empty spaces - all CHC had to do was knock on the door and ask (how novel). CHC prove it is possible. 

Initiatives like these - a pilot project in the eyes of CHC, but hopefully an enduring one - are bringing life back. It no longer needs to be a smoky cafe and people futilely talking about politics when (if) you return. It’s connection with a cultured hit.

It seems there could be. As we sat at Marulus Bar last night - and had this unique stone-walled bar (with smoke free zone) entirely to ourselves - Marina shared stories of the large number of people reaching out to CHC from outside of Split (its official base) and applauding them for their efforts. I had the pleasure of doing it in person. In one of countless cities ripe for cultural and digital nomad disruption. 

PRAZNINE 2020 is filling the void you may be experiencing this Winter, and runs until 7th March 2020. To see the full calendar and full event descriptions, and bios of the artists (in English and Croatian, visit the page on Culture Hub Croatia’s website or the Facebook event page.

Want to know more about being a digital nomad in Croatia? Follow the dedicated TCN section.