December 1, 2019 - Gastroadvent opened in Split on Sunday, December 1, at cult pizzeria Galija. The first Gastroadvent candle was lit by portal journalists to the sounds of opera music. 

Split Gastroadvent is a unique manifestation that is a fusion of nutrition, gastronomy and tourism. For the past ten years, the event has promoted the Mediterranean diet and leaves a mark through its work and messages about Mediterranean foods.

Along with valuable hosts and patrons, the highest trace over the past ten years has been left by journalists who bring light to the city of Split every Sunday of Advent.

And this year, the central ingredient of Gastroadvent is just as valuable to the city of Split.

Namely,  rosemary is an integral part of the Mediterranean diet. It is originally from Europe and has been used since ancient times when students decorated their heads with rosemary wreaths, thinking that it has a beneficial effect on memory. Rosemary leaves and the essential oil obtained by distilling leaves are officially medicinal according to European regulations. Rosemary leaf contains natural phenolic compounds and is therefore considered medicine and a spice. By its antioxidant properties, it is the most potent food. It grows on rocky soil, withstands salt and high temperatures, and its habitat is carbonate rocks.

Rosemary could not exist without its home, stone. The same stone that Diocletian's Palace is made of, which was protected 40 years ago by UNESCO. This year's Gastroadvent wreath is made of stone and was crafted by the students of the Stonemasonry School in Pucisca, Brac, which boasts 120 years of existence. 

Cult Pizzeria Galija is an exclusive partner of this year's Gastroadvent and for the opening occasion, presented a unique selection of dishes using rosemary.

Thus, Galija created crispy tapioca, crescent rolls with cod, baba ganoush, bruschetta mondo, mussels au gratin, rosemary risotto, Mediterranean dumplings, rib-eye steak, lemon and rosemary tart, baked pears with walnuts and rosemary, pizza dough with goat cheese and forest fruit, and pizzas. 

Kabola winery from Istria and Matejusko from Peljesac had their wine on offer. 

Gastroadvent is held every Sunday of Advent at a different location in Split. Total Split will be reporting all December long. 

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December 1, 2019 - By lighting the first candle on the Advent wreath in Đardin, Advent in Split' officially began.

The candle lighting was preceded by a sermon by Edvard Punda, Rector of the Archdiocesan Seminary, reports Dalmacija Danas.

“Don't envy others and the beauty that is happening around us. All the good that is happening in Split and all the initiatives are our good. Advent calls us to be able to enjoy all the good around us but also to be able to recognize the good in people,” he said.

Following the sermon, Split Mayor Andro Krstulovic Opara, Split Tourist Board Director Alijana Vuksic, and DMC Director Ante Sunjic lit the first Advent candle.

This symbolically marked the start of this year’s Advent in Split, and over the next month, citizens and visitors will find a handful of advent and Christmas programs.

“Every year, we strive to change the Advent paradigm and bring it back to the way it was thirty years ago, to turn towards children and family. This year we decided to have the ice rink in Đardin and we believe that the children will be pleased this year too, and when they can't go to school to spend time here, outside, and enjoy the ice, which is not a common phenomenon on the Adriatic. It will even be too small for all the children who will want to come here,” said Krstulovic Opara.

Magical winter scenes filled the streets and squares of Split on Saturday night, which you can see in the photos below.

On Sunday, visitors can enjoy the concert of classical music and Christmas songs, performed by the ENDeM Quartet, beginning at 11 am in Đardin. At the same time, on the Riva, Klapa Sv. Mihovil and Brass music Žrnovnica will take the stage. The youngest are invited to Perivoj, where a children's workshop with magical animators awaits them at 11 am. 

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November 30, 2019 - We’ve already made you well aware that Advent in Split opens on Saturday, and while the city has announced a packed program for everyone to enjoy, so has the prized Perivoj. 

After a busy Black Friday, which saw Split shoppers kick into gear, starting today, the citizens of the city get to imbibe in the festive Christmas atmosphere a bit earlier than usual. 

Apart from the events on the Riva and Dardin, you can find a winter wonderland at Perivoj restaurant, which will open their Advent program tonight with DJ Sola. The biggest hit of last year’s Advent, Perivoj this year will offer visitors six Christmas houses plus one bar run by the famous Sanctuary, which will, among other things, create winter concoctions.

Even if you missed out on Perivoj last year, you might remember the images of this winter wonderland posted on the pages of your social networks. However, this year, Perivoj promises to be even more attractive. 

New this year is the Imotski cottage, Koktel Bar cottage, and the cottage of the cult Modesty Cafe. Visitors will be able to order specialties of the Imotski area - from food and drink to Imotski wine, various brandies, homemade sausages and Imotski prosciutto to ensure the smells of Zagora permeate through the center of Split. The Velvet Christmas House, Jingle bell house, Toxic house, and Ho ho ho house also return to Perivoj this winter. 

The doors to Advent at Perivoj open tonight at 6 pm! 

You can find the full program for Advent at Perivoj below. 

Recall, Split Advent will open on the famous Riva waterfront at 11 am with the performances of the Split Majorettes and Corsa Adriatica. In the evening, the festive opening will be held at 5 pm in Đardin with the traditional lighting of the Advent candle, followed by a music program and a spectacle on ice, which will be led by members of the Zagreb Snowflake Skating Club. 

The vibrant program in Đardin continues with the performance of children's choirs and choirs of the international festival Cro Patria. A playful school program will spread cheer on Marmontova Street, and Gustafi will take the Riva stage at 8:30 pm to kick the festivities into gear.

Source: Dalmacija Danas

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November 29, 2019 - ’Tis the most wonderful time of the year - Split Advent is finally here!

On Saturday, November 30, 2019, Split Advent will open on the famous Riva waterfront at 11 am with the performances of the Split Majorettes and Corsa Adriatica. In the evening, the festive opening will be held at 5 pm in Đardin with the traditional lighting of the Advent candle, followed by a music program and a spectacle on ice, which will be led by members of the Zagreb Snowflake Skating Club. 

The vibrant program in Đardin continues with the performance of children's choirs and choirs of the international festival Cro Patria. A playful school program will spread cheer on Marmontova Street, and Gustafi will take the Riva stage at 8:30 pm to kick the festivities into gear. From 8 pm at Perivoj, you can enjoy music by DJ Sole.

You can find the full Advent program on the Split Tourist Board website, but we are bringing you some highlights of this weekend's program.

The Croatian National Theater Split is the center of cultural and humanitarian events this winter. Opera lovers will enjoy the performance of Rigoletto at 6 pm, while costumed guided tours of the Meštrović Gallery are organized for elementary school students, where the youngest will be able to explore the entire art space. Advent would not be complete without The Nutcracker, while the vintage images of Split’s most famous photographer Feđa Klarić will light up Gaje Bulata Square.

The concert of the Cro Patria Men's Choir, AMZ Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing ZG and Brodosplit twill be held on Saturday at 7 pm in the Great Hall of the Faculty of Medicine in Split, which will be complemented by the Canticum Novum competition evening. Caroling through city streets and squares is an indispensable part of the tradition of Split and Dalmatia, so KUD Jedinstvo will tour the city center to serenade the citizens with traditional tunes. Brass music will be heard from Đardin to the Riva, and all city streets and squares will dance in different musical rhythms and styles.

Đardin will have an Ice Park this Advent, transforming the famous Split meeting spot into a true winter wonderland. A vibrant program and food and drink offer will only complete the experience.

Although humanitarian events are organized in Split throughout the year, around the holidays, they’re a bit more special. Thus, a humanitarian concert by Tomislav Mrduljas will be held at HNK Split. All proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to KBC Split to purchase vital function monitoring devices for the Intensive Care Units Clinics for Anesthesiology, Reanimatology and Intensive Care, co-organized and initiated by Assistant Professor Dr. Sc. Sanda Stojanovic Stipic.

Source: Dalmacija Danas

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November 28, 2019 - HNK Split announced a vibrant Advent program on Wednesday, including, among other things, a concert "Za Điđija", in memory of the late maestro Vjekoslav Šutej, the premiere of the drama "Laponija", six performances of the ballet "Nutcracker", two Christmas and three New Year's concerts and four performances of the play “Miracle at Viper’s Glen”.

Namely, Splitski Dnevnik reports that at Scene 55, the premiere of “Laponija” by Cristina Clemente and Marc Angelet will be on December 12, and the drama will be performed seven more times during December.

Fans of the drama program will be able to see Ante Tomić's play “Miracle at Viper’s Glen” four times in December. This play, by director Marija Kovač, has been performed 25 times thus far and seen by some 13,000 viewers.

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's most performed ballet "The Nutcracker" is traditionally in the HNK Advent program six times this winter. Maestro Hari Zlodre will direct the orchestra of the Split National Theater, and more than one hundred dancers will perform in this festive Christmas ballet.

HNK Split will remember Vjekoslav Šutej on December 22 in the Advent program with the concert “Za Điđija". Ivan Repušić will conduct the show of opera arias and choirs in memory of maestro Šutej.

“Two days before and two days after Christmas, we will hold a Christmas concert by the choir of HNK Split. The concerts will take place from December 23-27 and feature works by G. F. Händel, M. Lauridsen, J. S. Bach, E. Whitacre, Ivan pl. Zajc, M. Lešćan, A. Adam, W. Gomez, S. Rachmaninoff and A. Vidaković,” announced the intendant of the Split National Theater, Srećko Šestan.

According to tradition, the HNK Split Orchestra will hold a New Year's Concert on December 28, 29, and 30, conducted by maestro Jure Bučević. They will perform works by Rossini, Mozart, Tijardović, Tchaikovsky, Lehar, and Johann Strauss Jr.

You can find more information and purchase tickets for the Advent program at HNK Split here. 

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November 27, 2019 -  The Croatia basketball team, led by coach Veljko Mrsic, will face Tunisia and Brazil in the Split qualifying tournament for the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. The groups were decided in a draw held at the FIBA headquarters in Geneva on Wednesday. 

The second group, which is also played in Split, includes the national teams of Germany, Russia, and Mexico. Croatia will likely crossover with Germany or Russia. The first two teams from each group will go to the semifinals, with only the overall winner of the tournament going to the Olympics.

The qualifiers will be played in four different tournaments, each with six participants. The Olympic qualifying basketball tournaments will be played from June 23 to 28 next year, with host cities of Split, Belgrade, Kaunas, and Victoria in Canada.

Although he led the national team last summer on three continents (in Croatia, the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas and the Borislav Stankovic Tournament in China), coach Veljko Mrsic will sit on the bench for the first time for an official FIBA match next February in the new qualifying round for the European Championships in 2021. However, the biggest national team exam will be next June. Coach Veljko Mrsic shares his take on the draw. 

"First of all, we have to understand the tournament in Split as a great prize and a great opportunity to promote basketball in our country, and then as an opportunity to qualify for the Olympic Games," said coach Mrsic.

“The group is tough… after all, all groups are tough and there are great teams in each. The possibility of Germany is a bit aggravating, but there it is. It is difficult and too early to talk about the chances at this point because we do not know how the other teams will arrive, and we cannot be sure about our own team. What is important is that we are a team. A team that our fans can be proud of and that we can be proud of. That is the basic goal that we must work on, and all that will be one big reward."

What does Mrsic expect in Split and from Split?

“This is a solid tournament, the strongest played on Croatian ground since EuroBasket 1989 in Zagreb and I am sure that our audience will recognize this and that the Split stands will be full and that we will really have a lot of support and wind at our backs from our audience."

Eight national teams have already qualified for the Tokyo Olympics next year. They are Spain, Argentina, France, Australia, the USA, Iran, Nigeria, and the host Japan.

Source: HKS

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November 27, 2019 - The assembly of the ice raking rink at Dardin park in Split is nearing its end, the ice is slowly forming, and everything will be ready to go for Saturday's opening ceremony at 5 pm.

The 400,000 kuna ice skating rink in Dardin is an additional offer of this year’s Advent, which should lure many Split citizens to this part of the city. The rink will be open daily from 10 am to 9:30 pm. Skating for 45 minutes will cost 30 kuna including the skate rental, and the rink can fit up to 250 skaters at once, reports Splitski Dnevnik. 

“Every year, we create a novelty, and this year, as part of our winter program, it is an ice park. There is no better location than the fairytale of Darin. We have started the preparations, and apart from the ice rink, there will also be a vibrant food & drink offer and cultural program for both children and adults,” said Split Tourist Board Director Alijana Vukšić.

Groups can hit the ice every hour, as it takes 15 minutes to ready the rink for new skaters. Ante Jukić, manager of the ice park on behalf of the Rijeka-based ARCTIC, said the weather would not affect the quality of the ice much.

"The ice rink is 812 square meters, and the track was quite challenging. We respected the configuration of the terrain and the horticulture in agreement with the Tourist Board of Split, Parks and Plantations and Conservators and made one very demanding trail. We have experience because the company ARCTIC has been doing this business for 16 years, and this year we organized 55 skating rinks in Croatia as well as in BiH, Slovenia, Romania, and Portugal. We do nine ice skating rinks in Zagreb, and we brought the best experts to Split, because our wish is that this will be a great success and a reference for the future,” said Jukic, who is confident the ice won’t melt in Split, based on the example of a skating rink he set up on the island of Krk in August some 10 years ago. 

"It was 15 meters from the sea; people would bathe and then dry themselves, skate and watch others swim. This is pure technique and physics. The ice-making machines are good, and we have some reservations, since the weather is not very common this time of year. The only problem may be the rain, and not because of the ice, but because people will not be able to skate, because this is an open space. The rain melts the ice a little, but the machines are strong and regenerate and create new ice,” Jukic adds.

The trail is demanding - at the narrowest part, it is two and a half meters. Since the people of Split are not very adept at skating, holding onto the fence will be a smart option. At the same time, free skating schools will be organized for schools and kindergartens, which will be reflected on weekdays from 10 am to 1 pm. All interested can visit the Split Tourist Board website for more information.

"As far as the additional program is concerned, there will be only three houses in Dardin, instead of the announced 4, because although there was interest, a different schedule was made, so there was no more space," Ante Šunjić from DMC said. On the Riva, there will be a total of ten catering houses, three of which will be for sweets and two commercial spaces.

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November 25, 2019 - Sixteen months ago, at a Government session in Split, a decision was made to implement the Split Suburban Railway Project, connecting the Split ferry port with the Split Airport with an intermodal terminal at the new central station in Kopilica.

Splitski Dnevnik reports that the project is worth around 150 million euro and is estimated to be completed in 2027. For its realization, it is necessary to reconstruct 18 kilometers of the existing railway line from the Split ferry port to Kastel Stari and to construct about 10 kilometers of the new railway line from Kastel Stari to the airport. It is precisely on these ten kilometers of the new railway that the project seriously begins.

The people of Kastela have been offered three options. All three envisage using part of the existing railway line, and then a new railway line to the airport would be built either from Kastel Kambelovac or Kastel Stari. The City of Kastela, however, was not in favor of the first, cheapest option, costing 300 million euro.

This project envisaged that the new line would depart from Radun, via Crkva Gospe od Stomorije, to the airport. Mayor Denis Ivanovic explains Kastela’s refusal of the route by the fact that buildings would be damaged and it would pass through the fields, as well as through the protected sanctuary of Crkva Gospe od Stomorije. Kastela demanded that part of the railway line be buried underground, below the highway, but this would significantly increase the cost of the project.

However, a new proposal for Croatian Railways has now been crystallized, according to which trains should run on an overhead line that runs parallel to the high-speed Split-Trogir road, mostly on pillars.

This was confirmed by the Vice President of the Croatian Chamber of Economy in charge of construction, Mirjana Cagalj.

"We are currently in the process of determining that railway route. So far, a dozen variants have been released, accepted by all but Kastela. Some made objections and some didn't respond. However, the last option by the HZ Infrastruktura designers is excellent, and we all have a feeling that this will be the variant that will be accepted.

For now, it has been sent to the Ministry of Transport and forwarded to the designers of Ernst & Young who should return this as a conclusion to all other variants, whether it is good or not,” said Cagalj, adding that this variant is not the cheapest option, but it is not as expensive as building a tunnel.

"This variant is a little more expensive than the ground railway, but it also has the advantage that for its construction, we do not have to resolve property and legal relations, expropriation, or the consent of neighbors, so we avoid the potential of delaying the project indefinitely," said Cagalj, who added that the new section would go through the body of the expressway.

"So, in that part, there is room for foundations and pillars above the road. Visually, if done well it can be great, there are many such examples in the world, and with several descending platforms, so that all the people of Kastela can use the rail to get to work, school, or the doctor."

“The cost of land is lower and the construction is more expensive, so a price will be conceived after that, and the construction deadlines are shorter in this project. We all have hopes that this will be the option that will suit Kastela as well.”

Ernst & Young consultants should evaluate the cost-effectiveness of this solution within 15 days and include it in a study that has already been completed, followed by a revised spatial plan.

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November 25, 2019 - The 16th round of the Croatian First League was held from Friday, November 22 to Sunday, November 24. This round featured the never disappointing ‘Eternal Derby’ between Dinamo and Hajduk. 

Dinamo v. Hajduk (1:1)

Dinamo and Hajduk opened the 16th round at Maksimir stadium on Friday, November 22, 2019, in front of 15,757 fans. 

Dinamo was quick to score thanks to an own goal by Hajduk defender Ismajli in the 12th minute for 1:0. However, a penalty awarded to Hajduk just before the half saw Mijo Caktas score for 1:1. 

Neither team was able to score in the second half, and Hajduk resisted Dinamo’s intense pressure throughout the game, even though they were without several of their key players on Friday. 

Dinamo is currently in first place with 35 points, while Hajduk is in 2nd with 31. 

Gorica v. Varazdin (1:0)

Gorica and Varazdin met in Velika Gorica on Saturday, November 23, 2019, in front of 1,272 fans. 

The first half went without goals, and Gorica’s Ndiaye scored only in the 57th minute for 1:0, which was the final score of the game. 

Gorica is currently in 6th place with 25 points, while Varazdin is in 10th place with 11. 

Slaven Belupo v. Lokomotiva (1:0)

Belupo and Lokomotiv met on Saturday, November 23, 2019, in Koprivnica in front of 754 fans. 

It was another low scoring game of the 16th round, which saw Belupo’s Krstanovic score in the 17th minute for 1:0, which was the final score of the game.

Belupo is currently in 7th place with 15 points, while Lokomotiva is in 5th place with 25. 

Osijek v. Istra 1961 (1:0)

Osijek and Istra met on Sunday, November 24, 2019, at City Garden Stadium in front of 2,455 fans. 

While the game saw Istra’s Pavic receive a double yellow in the 52nd minute, forcing Istra to play with a man down from the 52nd minute, the first and only goal of the game came in the 5th minute of added time (95') thanks to Osijek’s Maric for 1:0. 

Osijek is currently in 3rd place with 26 points, while Istra is in 8th with 12. 

Inter Zapresic v. Rijeka (1:4)

Inter and Rijeka met in Zagreb to close out the 16th round on Sunday, November 25, 2019, in front of 820 fans. 

Rijeka scored all four goals in the first half, thanks to Andrijasevic (6’), Colak (23’, 28’), and Gorgon (32’). Inter’s Soldo was able to get one for the home team in the first minute of added time for 1:4. 

Inter is currently in 9th place with 11 points, while Rijeka is in 4th with 25. 

You can see the full HNL table here. 

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November 24, 2019 - The Mladost Zagreb men's and women's water polo teams won the Croatian Cup in Split on Sunday. 

The first trophy of this water polo season goes to Zagreb! After a long eight years, the Croatian Cup Cup will shine again for the men's team at Mladost, which is their ninth total. At the Poljud pool in Split on Sunday, Mladost stopped the four-year-reign of Jug. 

HRT reports that the Mladost Zagreb men's team won the Croatian Cup on Sunday night after defeating Jug Dubrovnik 16-12 (3-3, 3-3, 7-4, 3-2) in the final in Split.

In a match with an unusually high number of goals, Mladost reached the Cup victory, mostly thanks to a great third quarter where they were up 7-4. Jug thus remains at 14 Cup trophies and have won the four previous seasons in a row.

Luka Bukić (4 goals), Cosmin Radu (3 goals), and Josip Vrlić and Franko Lazić, who scored two goals each, were the most effective for Mladost. Paulo Obradović scored five goals to be the best for Jug, while Loren Fatović scored three goals. 

The Mladost women's water polo team was also successful on Sunday and raised the Cup after a convincing victory over Split's Jadran. Namely, Mladost won the Croatian Cup after defeating Jadran in the final 20-5 to win their eighth Cup ever, and the third consecutive.

The Zagreb side was dominant in the victory, even though they were without their best possible lineup, as Petra Bukić, who was selected as the best Croatian water polo player in 2017 and 2018, was out due to injury.

However, the 2019 best player Emma Miljkovic was brilliant with six goals in the final. In the last minute of the second quarter, it was 11-0 for Mladost. Jadran's first goal came from a five-meter penalty. 

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