It wouldn’t be the holiday season without a bit of drama, right? And with that thought in mind, we have some fun Advent in Split drama to share with you.
If you recall, those interested in manning a booth (er, Christmas house) for this year’s Advent in Split needed to get their applications in last week. Because prices for the Christmas houses increased by 15% this year (Advent lasts 47 days this year and the longest ever), it is no surprise that on application deadline day, only a few caterers (out of 15 available places) turned in their expensive homework. This, of course, was the first roadblock in Split’s new Advent concept.
Because no 47-day event could go on with just a few objects on offer, this year's Advent in Split organizer put out another call for caterers with an extended deadline in hopes that maybe, just maybe, the Christmas spirit would force in some new applications.
Unfortunately, the second public call for Advent in Split still failed to fill the planned 23 locations on the Riva, reports Dalmatinski Portal on November 27, 2017.
On the bright side, Advent in Split will continue, and while it will be an awful lot smaller than the already downsized event this year, there will still be a good number of Christmas houses on offer. To be exact, a total of 14 Christmas houses will line the Riva, seven of whichwill be for caterers, three for pancakes, and four will boast festive shops. If you recall, 15 catering houses were set in the initial Advent plan.
Besides, not one offer has been received for Đardin and Ul. Ruđera Boškovića, and for Ul. kralja Tomislava, only one proposal has been sent in. In the second call, however, there were five offers, one of which was incomplete.
The Christmas catering houses will line the Riva as in previous year and after them the shops selling crafts and souvenirs. At the bottom of Prokurative on the platform in front of FINA, guests can expect one train for children.
“Despite the weak response or incomplete applications that we could not accept, the fair will be an open plan, and all planned programs will run according to the schedule,” said the director of Spalatum DMC Marina Rančić.
From this Friday, the citizens of Split will be able to have a drink at the decorated Christmas homes, but the official opening is the following day, Saturday, December 2, 2017, when the first Advent candle will be lit.
Here’s a look at last year’s Advent which we are sure will look a bit different from this year’s plan.
