March 15, 2022 - The latest flight news to Croatia as Austrian Airlines Croatia flights will operate 23 times per week from the beginning of the summer flight schedule. 

Austrian national airline and Lufthansa Group member Austrian Airlines will renew seasonal routes from Vienna to Split and Dubrovnik from the end of March, and to Zadar in early April. There will also be an increase in the number of weekly operations at Zagreb International Airport, reports Croatian Aviation.

Namely, Austrian Airlines is reintroducing seasonal routes from its main hub in Vienna to Split and Dubrovnik at the beginning of the summer flight schedule, which begins on March 27 this year. In the first days of April, traffic will resume between Vienna and Zadar Airport.

The first flight between Vienna and Split has been announced for Sunday, March 27. At the beginning of the summer flight schedule, Austrian will operate between the two cities 6 times a week, every day except Tuesdays. Already in the second half of April, there will be an increase in the number of flights on a daily basis.

In the first seven rotations to Split, Embraer 195 aircraft will operate, as well as the largest aircraft from the A320 family, the A321. Currently, there are 2,000 seats in that period.

There will be a similar flight schedule at the beginning of the season to Dubrovnik Airport. Five flights a week have been announced, starting on March 27, every day except Tuesdays and Thursdays, but there will also be an increase in the number of rotations by the Easter holiday.

1,872 seats are available on the first 7 flights between Dubrovnik and Vienna, and A320 and E195 aircraft will operate on the route.

Austrian will introduce a line to Zadar a little later than Split and Dubrovnik. The first flight has been announced for Saturday, April 9, and three flights a week have been announced at the start of the season, every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.

Prior to the pandemic, the Austrian airline operated twice a day to Zagreb, but this route has not yet returned to its 2019 capacity. Apparently, this will not happen at the beginning of this summer season either, although there will be an increase in weekly rotations.

Namely, from Sunday, March 27, Austrian will operate between Vienna and Zagreb eight times a week, every day except Wednesday, with two flights a day announced on Fridays and Sundays.

From Sunday, March 27, to Sunday, March 3, Austrian will offer 2,160 seats to and from Zagreb. Namely, as the airline retired all DashQ400 aircraft in June last year, Embraer 195 aircraft with a capacity of 120 seats will fly to Zagreb, so the previously mentioned smaller number of flights was compensated by increasing capacity or changing the type of aircraft on the route.

For more on flights to Croatia and other travel announcements, make sure to check out our dedicated travel section.

March 15, 2022 - A March treat for the people of Zagreb, as the 4th edition of Festival of Lights kicks off tomorrow, with quite a programme. 

Some things change, and some things stay the same. 

I have been writing about tourism in Croatia for over a decade now, and each year there is little new to write about some destinations. Many on the coast offer the sun and the sea, as they have for the last 50 years, and the tourists arrive like clockwork. 

(Photo J. Duval)

But there are other destinations which are working hard and investing in new ideas to create successful tourism products from nothing. There is no better example of this than Zagreb, which a decade ago was not really rated as a major destination. How times change!

It is not only the new generation of visitors flocking to the Croatian capital - Zagreb was recently named the 5th most liked city in the world for digital nomads - but also the success the city has had in creating tourism at times of the year when none existed previously. 

(Photo S. Kastelan)

Ten years ago, the concept of Advent in Croatia as a tourism spectacle hardly existed, and yet Advent in Zagreb grew into a global phenomenon, voted best European Christmas Market three years in a row. But for the pandemic, Advent would have become even more established. 

And a second - and very innovative - Zagreb early Spring festival kicks off this week, adding plenty of life and colour to the city, a welcome breath of fresh air and hint of Spring and Summer, as the 4th edition of the Festival of Lights will take place from March 16 - 20, transforming some 30 locations all over the Upper and Lower Town into a myriad of colour and light. 

(Photo D. Miloslavic)

Organised by the Zagreb Tourist Board and partners, the city will become a canvas of art by lighting, celebrating art, architecture, design, and outdoor entertainment. The festival will be evenly split between Upper (16 locations) and Lower Town (15 locations), with a total of 32 light attractions in all. Since its inception, the festival has been a part of the Festival of Lights International, along with the likes of New York and Berlin, and that international flavour will be represented by two visiting collaborations from Berlin and Sarajevo, a first for the festival.

(Photo M. Mihaljevic)

An interactive light sculpture called the Heart of Europe will be installed by guests from Sarajevo on European Square. Using 3D mapping, the Heart of Europe will monitor the rhythm of a heartbeat, allowing visitors to write or read their wishes for a better future using AI. Berlin authors will have two installations of Earth and Mars, both over 4m high, on Preradovic Square and Tkalciceva Street. 

And the German capital will also be highlighting Zagreb culture, as the famous Berlin Festival of Lights will light up the Croatian National Theatre, Museum of Arts and Crafts, and the Mimara Museum with 3D mapping, representing the city's historical and cultural heritage.  

(Photo M. Mihaljevic)

One of the approaches I like about Zagreb's approach to tourism is its sense of inclusiveness, bringing together different aspects of the city's cultural life. For the first time, a theatre will take part in the Festival of Lights Zagreb, with the City Drama Theatre Gavella performing at the Observatory. The UNICEF Museum of Reality at the Zagreb Dance Centre is also worth a visit. 

No winter event in Zagreb, it seems, can take place without a healthy aspect to it. The Advent Run, where participants run through the city's streets dressed in festive costume, has become one of the hit attractions at Advent in Zagreb, and the Festival of Lights has its own equivalent, in what might be the world's most translucent run. Prepare for a very colourful nighttime run with the themed Glow Run, which will take place at 22:00 on Saturday, March 19, starting on Marulic Square.  

Zagreb has a strong tradition of celebrating strong women who have left their mark in Croatian history, and these too will be celebrated. Head to the Zagreb City Museum to see and hear the light-music attractions dedicated to Croatian opera divas, or to the walls of Strossmayer School in Varsavska Street, and see how many women you can recognise who left their imprint on Croatian cultural history. 

(Photo S. Kastelan)

The amazing light shows will obviously mesmerise the little ones, but they can also enjoy their own light experiences, as three light playgrounds have been especially prepared for their entertainment - Dubravkin Put, Mazuranic Square, and to the east of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts (HAZU). 

Quite a programme. And the light celebrations start long before you reach the centre. Zagreb Tourist Board has organised a promotional deal with Croatia Airlines for those coming to the festival, and visitors to Zagreb Airport will be greeted by installations of flowers in two locations. 

(Photo S. Kastelan)

It all starts on Wednesday, March 16 at 18:00 by the Croatian National Theatre. As has become the tradition, light performances will be performed nightly for 5 days, from 18:00 to 23:00, a wonderful chance to wander the enchanting streets of Zagreb and see them really full of life. Special attention has been paid to the issue of light pollution, hence the very specific timing per day. 

And the best news is that entry to the festival is completely free of charge.  You can learn much more about the festival, including a map of all the installations on the official website of the Festival.

It promises to be a very colourful event, as well as a fitting way to say farewell to winter. For soon the clocks will go forward, another hour of natural light, as the days get longer and we head into another magical Zagreb Spring and Summer season. But that is another story. 

Winters can be long, but if you are in Zagreb, they can be very colourful and action-packed. To join the Facebook event, click here.

Not quite sure what to expect? Here is a little teaser from the official Festival of Lights Zagreb promo video, above. 

And if you are interested to learn a little more about this magical capital city, check out the Total Croatia Zagreb in a Page guide. 

March 14, 2022 -  The latest flight news to Croatia as KLM flights to Split and Dubrovnik resume from March 27, and two daily flights to Zagreb Airport continue. 

Dutch national airline KLM Dutch Airlines reintroduces regular seasonal lines to Split and Dubrovnik with the start of the summer flight schedule, which comes into force at the end of this month, reports Croatian Aviation.

While KLM will re-introduce regular flights from Amsterdam to Split and Dubrovnik from Sunday, March 27, the Dutch airline continues to operate twice a day to Zagreb Airport.

The first flight to Split Airport in this year's summer flight schedule has been announced for Sunday, March 27. Initially, two flights a week have been announced, every Saturday and Sunday. Before the Easter holiday, the airline is planning a number of operations, and from the end of April, KLM should operate daily between Split and Amsterdam. In the peak summer season, up to three daily flights between Amsterdam and Split of this airline are expected.

KLM will also resume traffic to Dubrovnik on the first day of the summer flight schedule, on the Amsterdam line that was reintroduced last season. Two flights a week have been announced, also on Saturdays and Sundays, and there should be an increase in weekly operations at the end of April. As was announced earlier, KLM should work up to twice a day between Dubrovnik and Amsterdam this summer.

Despite the increase in the number of operations to coastal airports last year and this year, KLM plans to continue with two daily flights to Zagreb but using mainly the Embraer fleet, which has a significantly lower capacity compared to Boeing. The Embraer and B737-700 fleets are planned on the lines to Croatia in March and April.

For more on flights to Croatia and other travel announcements, make sure to check out our dedicated travel section.

March 12, 2022 - The latest flight news to Croatia as a new Ryanair Zagreb-Brindisi line has been announced to replace the recently canceled Lviv-Zagreb line.

Irish low-cost airline Ryanair introduces a new route from Zagreb International Airport in just over two weeks! Namely, Ryanair will introduce a regular route between Zagreb and Brindisi on March 27, the airline's fourth route from Zagreb to Italy, reports Croatian Aviation.

The line will be in operation from the beginning of the summer flight schedule, March 27, twice a week, on Wednesdays and Sundays, until the end of October, i.e., October 26, 2022.

A total of 22,320 seats are on sale, and tickets start at 10 euros one way. This is a line that will be in traffic in the afternoon and evening, and an A320 aircraft with a capacity of 180 seats in the passenger cabin has been announced.

The new line will replace the previously announced Lviv-Zagreb line, which was canceled due to the war in Ukraine.

Ryanair announced the Lviv-Zagreb line in mid-January this year and had plans to operate on it from the very beginning of the summer flight schedule - on March 27. Fights were planned twice a week, every Wednesday and Sunday.

The Irish airline closed sales on all routes from Lviv, including the announced route to Zagreb. A total of 22,320 seats were on sale, and Lviv was to be the second city in Ukraine with which Zagreb was to have a direct connection. Ryanair has announced its return to Ukrainian airports as soon as security conditions allow.

In addition to Brindisi, Ryanair from Zagreb operates to Rome Fiumicino, Bergamo, and Naples. Ryanair is also introducing new lines from Zagreb to Bratislava and Corfu this summer. 

“There are some tourist destinations from Zagreb that can be served in the future and that are of interest to us too. We really believe that Zagreb can be attractive all-year-round, not just for families and the diaspora, but for tourists as well, so we want to use all these opportunities in the future," Tadej Notersberg, Director of Operations of Ryanair’s subsidiary Lauda Europe, told EX-YU Aviation last week. 

For more on flights to Croatia and other travel announcements, make sure to check out our dedicated travel section.

March 10, 2022 - This month, the frigid temperatures and strong winds of winter have already begun to turn into warm and colorful days, thus welcoming spring. Is it worth visiting during this time of year? Of course. And here are five places you cannot miss during spring in Croatia.

Winter in Croatia is a difficult concept to criticize. Despite low temperatures, strong winds, snow, or rain, Croatians have always found a way to positively view the arrival of the winter months. In central and eastern Croatia, the cold and snow are not strong enough to break the spirit of its inhabitants. Winter is synonymous with the holiday season, with cities and towns brightly and colorfully decorating their streets, and filling their parks and plazas with fairs and concerts.

In the same way, along the Croatian coast, the locals take back the cities from the tourists and the storms are intermittent since sunny days predominate. Thus, the people who live in front of the Adriatic find a great excuse to put on their best coats, their sunglasses, and get together with their friends and family to have a coffee in the rivas and old towns of their cities.

However, it is true that when the day darkens at five in the afternoon or the temperature of the sea is too cold to take a dip, summer days are missed throughout the country. For this reason, the arrival of spring is always welcome in Croatia and invites those who reside in the country to venture outside their homes without having to wear more than two pieces of clothing. The beginning of spring in Croatia is March 20, and so that you can plan your next adventure, we share five places that you cannot miss at this time of year.

Zagreb

Perhaps the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of spring in Croatia is some of its 8 national parks or 12 nature parks. However, the Croatian capital of Zagreb is literally a spectacle of colors and a great atmosphere during this time of year. Although the official date for the beginning of spring is still 10 days away, the inhabitants of Zagreb are already witnessing the first blooms in their avenues, streets, and parks. If you're coming to Zagreb during spring, you probably won't know where to start.

Flowers blossoming in the gardens of King Tomislav Square. (Photo: Patrik Macek/PIXSELL)

Stroll through the beautiful parks in Zagreb's upper town, from Zrinjevac to King Tomislav Square, where you could even sit in its gardens reading a book while enjoying the atmosphere and the colors of its flowers and trees. If you want to go for exercise and at the same time enjoy the blossoming in the spring, visit the parks of Jarun, Bundek or Maksimir, in which you could also organize a picnic with your friends. Or maybe organize a walk through the Zagreb Botanical Garden, in the upper town of Zagreb. You will see that when you get home and check your phone, you will have probably taken more than a hundred photos throughout the day. Zagreb is home to many of the best spots to be during spring in Croatia.

Cherry trees in the district of Prečko, Zagreb. (Photo: Igor Kralj/PIXSELL)

Bonus tip: visit Šulekova street in Zagreb in Spring, which has become famous for its spectacular colors thanks to the blossoming of its cherry trees. Don't forget to go with someone who can take amazing pictures of you for your Instagram!

Plitvice Lakes National Park

It really is impossible not to highlight the national and natural parks of Croatia when talking about a change of season. I do not mention a season in particular because each one offers something magical and different. For example, when we talk about Plitvice Lakes National Park, we cannot compare the four seasons, just enjoy them to the fullest. Autumn's intense red and orange colors beautifully contrast with turquoise lakes, resembling a frame straight out from a fairy tale. Winter covers the park with snow, and the result is a mixture of whites and turquoises that will make your jaw drop. And not to mention the summer, where the green forests also serve as a refuge from the high temperatures with their shade.

Plitvice Lakes National Park, stunning all year round. (Photo: Vedran Bozičević)

But we all know that, in a place as diverse in flora as the Plitvice Lakes National Park, it is essential to witness its colorful show during spring. It's arguably the perfect time, as it's neither too cold nor too hot to overwhelm you as you wander through the park, and it's one of its most photogenic times of the year!

Find HERE the prices and rates of the tickets to visit the Plitvice Lakes National Park.

Split

We also don't want to overwhelm you with a shower of colors, if that's not your thing. And it is not because Split does not have them, but the experience of spring in the Dalmatian city is lived in a different way. Spring in Croatia comes in different shapes and colors. Although the trees and parks of Split are also beginning to regain their leaves and greenery, the arrival of spring means that the return to the sea and the beaches is getting closer. You will feel that wearing a coat could be unnecessary, with temperatures that can rise up to 17 degrees. Even with the water still relatively cold, some brave souls are already starting to visit the city's beaches to take a dip, realizing that the frequent sunny days and rising temperatures will dry them out quickly once out of the water.

The Diocletian Palace in Split, not during summer, but in April. (Photo: Milan Sabic/PIXSELL)

But without a doubt, the most exciting thing about spring in Split is the progressive reopening of many restaurants, bars, and cafes throughout the season, which have already finished their respective maintenance and are beginning to prepare for the arrival of the busy summer. If you were in Split during the winter, and you will stay here until at least the beginning of summer, you will witness a city that is becoming active every day. Also, ferry lines are starting to increase and you can have the privilege of visiting more islands and destinations without the crowds. And beware, enjoying spring in Split is something that can be replicated throughout the Croatian coast, from Istria to Dubrovnik!

Krka National Park

If you change your mind and would indeed like to see the spring in Croatia blooming at its best, there will always be a national park or nature park near you. The Krka National Park has nothing to envy Plitvice Lakes since its sixteen plunging waterfalls, winding hiking trails, and vast expanse of lush, green forests place it as one of the most visited destinations in the entire country. Krka, apart from being recognized for its spectacular sceneries, is also a very popular destination for adventure lovers. Whether on foot or by bicycle, it is never enough to discover all the wonders that the national park hides. And if you had to pick an ideal time of year to visit, the spring months should be at the top of your list.

Very close to Šibenik, and less than an hour from Split - Krka National Park. (Credit: Krka National Park)

Although the new measures taken by the National Park, which prohibit visitors from bathing in the falls, have reduced the saturation of people in the main circuit of Krka, summer is still the time of year with the highest volume of tourists. If you are looking to connect better with the nature of Krka, you will surely find it in spring with almost as pleasant weather, colors everywhere, fewer people, and... cheaper prices!

Find HERE the prices and rates of the tickets to visit the Krka National Park.

Osijek

Of course, spring comes everywhere, and not only on the coast and in central Croatia. Moreover, it could be said that spring in eastern Croatia arrives with incomparable intensity. The vast forests, fields, and crops in Slavonia and Baranja are a visual delight both for those viewing it from above with their drones, as well as for those on foot. This part of Croatia is often mistakenly considered a cold, nothing-happening region, but few have the privilege of enjoying its energy and warmth all year round, even in the harshest of winters. And all the more reason, you'll want to check it out for yourself in a season with better weather and full of greenery.

Cherry trees in King Krešimir IV park in Osijek. (Photo: Davor Javorovic/PIXSELL)

There are so many places to visit in this region during spring, but what better place to start than in the largest city in eastern Croatia, and the fourth largest in the country. Osijek is famously known as the greenest city in Croatia, with more parks and public green areas than any other town in Croatia. Wherever you go in Osijek during the spring, you will come across an immeasurable number of trees and gardens full of vibrant colors. Some of the parks that you cannot miss are King Tomislav Park, Sakuntala Park, or King Krešimir IV Park, protected as the first monument of park architecture in Croatia.

Cherry trees in King Krešimir IV park in Osijek. (Photo: Dubravka Petric/PIXSELL)

These are just five examples of places that you cannot miss during spring in Croatia, but believe us when we tell you that the whole country, throughout its territory, has some magic waiting for you during the most colorful season of the year.

For more on travel in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

March 10, 2022 - Future Scope Festival is around the corner, when Zagreb's most famous club night celebrates its 20th birthday!

A massive celebration is being prepared from May 13 to 15 on the Jarun Island of Croatian Youth with the best international and Croatian musicians of various genres on four stages - from electronic and rock to rap.

Impressive names have already been announced, including Sven Väth, Sister Bliss (Faithless DJ set), Stacey Pullen, Mauro Picotto, Sam Paganini, Paul Van Dyk, Terry Francis, Nathan Coles, Nicole Moudaber, Petar Dundov, Rundek and Ekipa, TBF, Elemental, ABOP, Detour, and Boris Štok.

Two other fantastic Croatian headliners will take the stage - Urban & 4, who marked the past year with their new album "June, July, August" and the uncompromising hip-hop group that radio stations avoid and the masses adore, Krankšvester. But the big news is that with a touch of nostalgia comes the cult and favorite synth-pop band Denis & Denis.

Techno veteran Sam Paganini will perform at Jarun immediately after the release of the techno album "Light + Shadow," while trance legend Paul Van Dyk comes to Zagreb after the North American tour "Off The Record," named after his latest album.

"After a two-year break, I'm on tour again, and I'm extremely excited that we can all connect again through music and create new memories. I adore Croatia; all previous performances there have a special place in my heart. I have always received a warm welcome and enthusiasm for my music," says Van Dyk, who played his first DJ set ever back in 1991 at the cult Tresor in Berlin.

Detroit legend Stacey Pullen is also coming to Jarun in May, whose sound is said to take "the best of Carl Craig's futurism and Jeff Mills' minimalism."

"I've been editing in my studio for the last few days, so my workflow is easier than ever. I am also preparing new releases, but I also plan to remaster some of my older music soon," says Pullen, adding that he often plays at American festivals, but that his trip to Croatia will be one of the first outside the US recently.

"I remember Croatia as one of the places where I had the best fun! People, audiences, and clubs have always welcomed me with open arms. I have wonderful memories from Split, and I always gladly remember the great gatherings in Zagreb. I always try to learn about the people and culture of the places I play," he adds.

As the Future Scope Festival is conceived as a melting pot of various genres, a festival in which electronic merges with concert performances, Pullen gave a few musical recommendations for those who may not have listened to electronic music so far.

"It's a great task! Especially since electronic music has changed significantly over the years. There are a lot of artists who are not so much in music anymore, but many have appeared. I would personally recommend anything from a Flying Lotus or Moodymann production," Pullen suggests.

The festival is eagerly awaited by Kranksvester, who say they are passing the time until May by playing Playstation. “Future Scope Festival is a blend of electronic, rap, and rock, and that’s what Kranksvester is at its core! That is why we are preparing the biggest show so far. We will bring 300 dancers, have confetti and fireworks," the rap group reveals. 

Festivalgoers can expect after parties at the Boogaloo Club on May 14 and 15. On the first day of the festival, the audience will be entertained by Mary, E-Base, Senno and Son, and the second by Lemon, Mark Ash, Krekman, F.O.R.M. live, Gumja, and Adio F.

Tickets are sold on Entrio, and the current early-bird price is valid until April 1 for 299 kuna. From April 2 to 15, tickets go up to 349 kuna; from April 15 to May 1, they will be 399 kuna, and finally 449 kuna until the very beginning of the festival. Tickets for after-parties will be sold separately at the entrance to the club - those with a festival bracelet will pay 50 kuna, and the others 70 kuna. The organizer also announced that in the first week of April, pre-sale tickets will be released in advance, and the schedule of performers by day!

For more, check out our lifestyle section.

March 6th, 2022 - The comedian will perform at the Vatroslav Lisinski Hall in Zagreb

The ‘terribly funny’ stand-up comedian Jimmy Carr is returning to Croatia after five years. Carr will perform at the Vatroslav Lisinski Hall in Zagreb on November 15 this year.

Since he last sold out the Lisinski Hall in 2016, Carr has only solidified his worldwide fame with three Netflix specials. Carr was the first British comedian to get a contract with the streaming giant owing to his unique brand of humour and a reputation built on many other projects and public appearances: he’s a regular guest on the most popular British and American television shows such as The Tonight Show, The Late, Late Show and Late Night with Conan O'Brien.

The Guardian described Carr as a 'comedic hero of our time', a sentiment apparently echoed by audiences around the world - more than 480,000 tickets were sold for his previous tour, with Carr reportedly planning to surpass the number this time around.

The comedian is known for brilliant, often brash jokes teetering on the edge of good taste. Fans of stand-up comedy also know him as a master of improvisation - his interactions with the audience and witty comebacks perfectly complement his base material.

Carr is returning to Zagreb with his latest show, entitled 'Terribly Funny 2.0' and featuring 100% new material and ‘jokes about all kinds of terrible things’.

The show is intended for people over 16 years of age and will be held in accordance with all epidemiological measures and guidelines of the Civil Protection Headquarters. A EU digital Covid certificate is required to attend.

Tickets are on sale on Entrio.hr.

March 6th, 2022 - A Hajduk flag featured at an art exhibition in Zagreb was forcibly removed from the gallery window by a group of Bad Blue Boys

An exhibition by Croatian artist Josipa Škrapić, entitled ‘Lambs are light, they are easy to carry’, opened earlier this week at the Karas Gallery in Zagreb. Designed in the form of an ethnographic diary, the exhibition is dedicated to her father, known as Škrapa.

The artist documented her father’s everyday life, filming him and writing down their conversations. Along with a documentary film and other visual exhibits, a number of artefacts belonging to Škrapa are displayed in the gallery space. Among the displayed objects are three different Hajduk flags, one of which was originally hung in the gallery window.

Not for long, though, as a group of Dinamo fans didn’t seem to like an emblem of Hajduk making such a public appearance in Zagreb and took matters into their own hands. They entered the gallery as the exhibition was about to open and stole the flag, writes Jutarnji list.

Following the incident, the Croatian Association of Visual Artists (HDLU) stated: ‘The act of displaying Škrapa's Hajduk flag in Zvonimirova Street in Zagreb provoked an excessive and rather aggressive reaction, to say the least, of young members of the Bad Blue Boys, who burst into the gallery and stole the flag from the gallery window before the exhibition opening and quickly left, only to call for reinforcements ten minutes later, who eventually entered the gallery in a very decisive manner and gave a vocal warning that the Hajduk flag should no longer be hung in the gallery window in Zvonimirova, or we’d get it.

We’re not exactly sure what we’re supposed to get, but we condemn this act of theft and violence devoid of any openness to communication. It’s interesting to note that other flags which were displayed in cases inside the gallery were ‘allowed’. The artist herself agrees with the position of the HDLU, but she also believes that in this context the event is becoming a reactive extension of the artwork.’

Now a flag short, the exhibition will remain open until March 13th.

March 5, 2022 - A gathering was held in Zagreb today as a show of solidarity and support of Ukraine, nine days after the Russian invasion started. A large number of people were present in Ban Jelačić Square, waving Ukrainian and Croatian flags. The Ambassador of Ukraine spoke at the gathering with an emotional message.

As an expression of solidarity and support of Ukraine and Ukrainian people due to Russia's aggression against that country, a rally organized by the Croatian Helsinki Committee (HHO) and the Union of Ukrainians of the City of Zagreb began in Zagreb's main square in the presence of several hundred citizens, reports Telegram.hr. Ukrainian Ambassador Vasily Kirilich spoke at the gathering, who spoke through tears about Russia's aggression against his homeland, especially emphasizing the attack on the largest European nuclear power plant, Zaporozhye.

"It's not a war anymore, it's genocide. I ask NATO to stop this devil. If we do not stop today without being late tomorrow, I am asking Europe, the world, and NATO to close the skies in Ukraine and save thousands of lives. No time to think and make statements. It is time to act.", Kirilic said. The Ambassador thanked the Republic of Croatia, the Government, and the Prime Minister. Gathered citizens greeted his speech chanting: "Ukraine, Ukraine."

Several banners were seen at the gathering. On the fence in front of the stage on Ban Jelačić Square on the Ukrainian national flag is the message "I stand with Ukraine", "#stoprussianagression", and songs by Ukrainian bands are played on the loudspeaker. More citizens who came to express their support for the attacked country came to the Square in robes or carrying Ukrainian and Croatian national flags.

Some of them carry banners written in Croatian, Ukrainian, and English, which read, among others, "Glory to the Heroes of Ukraine" and "Glory to Ukraine", "Let's Help Ukraine", "Help Ukraine to save Europe, establish no-fly zone!", “Stop the war in Ukraine!”, “Pray for Ukraine”, “Stop Putin, stop the war”, “Stop the war, save Europe”, “Ukraine is the heart of Europe”.

A leaflet printed in Croatian and English was distributed to those gathered, which reads - We want freedom! Help us realize the dream of our freedom. Russia is just brutally bombing our cities. Putin denies and denies the existence of the Ukrainian nation, we just want freedom and live as free people. Please support Ukraine and our people.

Announcing the rally in Zagreb, Croatian Helsinki Committee (HHO) President Ivan Zvonimir Cicak on Wednesday called on leaders of other cities and counties to join in supporting Ukraine with their rallies, which will take place in several cities - Split, Vukovar, Rijeka, and Pula.

For more on the Ukraine crisis and Croatia, as well as breaking news, follow our news section.

March 5, 2022 - AI, robots, and TikTok in tourism are all in one place at the 2022 3T Tourism, Travel, Tech Conference in Zagreb on March 22!

The 3T (Tourism, Travel & Tech) conference will bring together speakers to talk about a wide variety of topics, both in-person and online.

3T is a professional conference that unites tourism and IT as the leading and most important branches of the Croatian economy. The fifth edition is scheduled for March 22, 2022.

The keynote lecture will be given by Sonja Prvan, Designer of Responsible Tourism Experience. Her talk "Sustainability and experiences as a booster of the tourist offer" will discuss socially and environmentally responsible travel. They bring greater visibility and sales, but the question arises - how to achieve this and to whom to sell it? For the last three years, the lecturer has been responsible for designing and upgrading new tourist offers to focus on sustainability and responsibility at the Intrepid Travel agency.

Aco Momčilović, a graduate psychologist, HR expert, and doctoral student in Digital Economics, will talk about the application of artificial intelligence, which is slowly finding its way from finance, health, or military applications to tourism. His lecture will discuss how suitable tourism is for AI solutions and whether we already have some good practices.

On the examples of Valamar and Arena Hospitality Group, a solution for robotizing business processes using Robotiq.ai technology will be presented, and the lecturer will be Marko Gudelj, Ph.D. and co-founder of Robotiq.ai.

To move away from "serious" technologies, a more relaxed but very current topic has been announced. The most famous domestic TikToker and one of the ten most popular in the Balkans, 26-year-old Dario Marčac, will discuss applying the mega-popular social network TikTok in the tourism sector. Linking TikTok to Instagram, Dario has over 650,000 followers; TikTok is his source of income, and his business is expanding daily. “With the help of short videos with concise information, the TikTok community allows brands to present themselves in an honest and fun way and make an emotional connection with customers,” Dario says, announcing his presentation.

Free streaming
Tickets are on sale if you'd like to participate. If you want to watch the program via live streaming, you can completely free of charge, but with prior registration. The date of the event is March 22, 2022, and the location is HUB385 or online. You can check out the prominent lecturers and the program here.

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