When we said hello from Opatija yesterday morning, a thick cloudy layer was hovering over town. Luckily, the weather gods came to their senses and we're enjoying full-blown summer again, just in time for the final day of the RetrOpatija festival!
Celebrating vintage fashion, music, dance, cars and all other types of retro culture, the festival attracts large crowds to the Kvarner beauty every summer. This year, RetrOpatija officially kicked off on June 29 with a rich programme of music shows and dance performances all over town. The first couple of days have been a proper warm-up for the grand finale - two weekend days packed with incredible fabulous parties and concerts.
Judging by the photos and videos popping up throughout the day, festival visitors seem to have been affected by a dancing virus that has them whirling and twirling all over Opatija – on the street, at the beach, on hotel terraces... the air is filled with irresistible rockabilly tunes and salsa rhythms, making it impossible to remain sitting down, indifferently sipping on a cocktail. Here's what happens when the crowd gets together to dance:
Prefer some passionate salsa instead? Take a look at these guests of Bevanda Lido Beach bar:
Saturday was crowned with a spectacular disco party. Look at this light show!
If you have the opportunity to drop by today, make sure to spend some time in Opatija, as numerous attractive events still await. Bars and restaurants all over town have prepared special themed menus for the festival week, and are serving dishes and drinks that used to be locally popular in various decades of the 20th century. The Hemingway bar offers cocktails from the 80s and the 90s and is serving them out of a T2VW van dating back to 1960, the renowned restaurant Rougemarin is having a 20s night, and cafe Morčić is ready for the fans of the 50s and the 60s with a rockabilly exhibition and an accompanying drink list.
Just in time for sundown, in front of the Juraj Šporer Art Pavilion, the Beatles Revival Band will entertain the crowd from 7 to 9 PM, along with Klapa Volosko performing evergreen hits.
Villa Angolina will host a concert of Marko Tolja, renowned Croatian singer known for his smooth, velvety voice and his renditions of jazz and soul classics that make him the perfect performer for a retro-themed festival. The event starts at 9 PM.
You can find a detailed list of events and participating venues here, but there's no need to feel any pressure. If you manage to make it to Opatija, it will probably suffice to roam around town, as something is sure to be happening at every bar and hotel patio - take a relaxing walk and enjoy the vintage spirit overtaking the town.
Image and video source: Opatija Tourist Board Facebook
