Come summer, Poreč turns into a massive open-air stage for what is known as Croatia's longest festival. From June 23rd to September 18th, the streets of Poreč will be the stage for more than a hundred various events ranging from live music shows to outdoor film screenings, all of them free of charge and promising to keep your spirits up for three liveliest months of the year.
Last year has seen the first Poreč Open Air festival, and judging by the number of 50.000 visitors and 251 events – oh, and the prestigious Capra d'Oro Award given by the Istria Tourist Board – it's safe to declare it a success. Let's see what awaits at the 2017 edition:
Mondays will be reserved for street performances by circus artists such as jugglers and stilt walkers strolling around at various locations, ending with a live show at the Seafront summer stage at 7.30 PM. If you want to kick it up a notch, a weekly event for children called the Princess Ball will be taking place each Thursday at 8.15 PM in the Valamar Isabella Castle on Sveti Nikola Island. Kids can get their photo taken with the princess and the prince, try balloon modeling, participate in a dance workshop or in the little school of fencing. A boat line is organised to take visitors from Poreč to the island and back.
Live music performances will take place on Wednesdays at 9 PM at multiple open-air stages, and you can also catch a film screening every day at 9 PM in the Villa Polesini or at the Lungomare garden. If you're interested in mythology and local customs, you'll probably want to see Istria Inspirit, the show that will take place on Sveti Nikola Island each Sunday at 8.30 PM. The costumed actors will tell you stories about various events from Istria's history, dating back to the Roman times – but also the local legends about the giants of Istria, fairies and elves. Perfect for children, but adults are sure to enjoy it as well. You can also learn how to prepare some local gourmet specialties!
Two popular Croatian bands Vatra and Pavel will perform at the opening that's set for Friday, June 23rd, kicking off a long summer of entertainment, art and fun. Music performances and theatre plays will be staged at numerous little bars, shops, courtyards, parks and gardens, and you're sure to find something going on at every corner you turn. If you'd rather plan in advance, you can find the programme here, along with a handy little interactive map to make sure you know where you're headed. Have fun!
Image source: Poreč Open Air Festival Facebook
