Art & Culture

From well-preserved Roman remains in Pula and Split and the grandiose Hapsburg architecture of Zagreb and Rijeka to the traditional lace makers of Pag and the folklore societies of continental regions, Croatia is a country with culture that can often leave you breathless. You can catch a glimpse of some highlights in the latest video in a series from the Croatian National Tourist Board.The team at #Croatiafulloflife launched a new campaign in late April 2020 inviting you to welcome Croatia into your homes. The videos show some of the country's most-appealing aspects and are intended to inspire future visitors at a time when they themselves cannot currently receive Croatia's famous welcome. The first video in the #CroatiaLongDistanceLove campaign has already received 1.5 million views with the second, showcasing the country's nature and natural assets, released just last week. Take a look at this latest video, which focusses on the country's diverse, fascinating and visually exciting culture.  

When dancers from the professional Slovakian folk art ensemble Sl'uk hit the stage of the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb last September, not all of the comfortably-seated audience could have known what was in store for them. Renowned for their acrobatic and zealous performances, the Slovaks wheeled through the air, mirroring the celebratory movements practised by their forebears at joyous social gatherings in years gone by.    © LADO   Such a wild and physical show stood in sharp contrast to the pristine and subtly-executed ballet and bombastically-accentuated opera usually found on this grandest of Croatian stages. It also stood in contrast to their partners of the evening, LADO, the Croatian National Folk Dance Association, whose own introduction to the stage saw them slowly mimic the toil of agricultural workers accompanied by a heartfelt chant of multiple harmonies. Comparatively, this wasn't the most explosive or dramatic of entrances to have happened on this stage. But, that is not what LADO is about. When the members of LADO take the stage, they are not the supernatural figures of ballet nor the overwrought characters of opera. They are you. They are us. They are the people of Croatia and their ancestors, their performances offering an honest insight into the everyday lives, festivities and diverse, enduring traditions of past centuries.   © LADO   The style of dance on display that September evening was not the only aspect separating Croatia's LADO from their

The city of Karlovac has come alive with the installation of the latest in a string of colourful new murals. This latest mural, by artist Leonard Lesić, can be seen on the side of the city's Hrvatski dom building. It marks the start of a bold new redesign and repurposing of the formerly neglected building.   © Leonard Lesić   The artwork was commissioned via competition by KAoperativa Alliance, a network of NGOs from Karlovac who are collaborating to renovate the building. Originally built in 1926 and a centre for arts, recreation, culture and community. It now requires some work intended to return the building to its original purpose.   Architects design of how the completed Hrvatski dom Karlovac and its urban park will look once complete © Anamarija Popovački, Nikolina Delić, Luka Krmpotić, Luka Lipšinić, Iva Žaja   Around 20 artists submitted designs for the wall, with the jury choosing one by Leonard Lesić, who is from nearby Duga Resa, as the winner. His mural measures 28 metres by 4 metres. The mural sits above an open space which is about to undergo landscaping which will turn it into an urban park. In warmer months, the park will be used for exhibitions, workshops, performances and community activities.   Leonard Lesić mural in Duga Resa © Leonard Lesić   'I chose to make the mural using bright colours, so they would contrast with the surroundings,' artist Leonard Lesić told Time Out Croatia. 'There's quite a lot of greenery and nature near the building. Also be

Having now reached 13 years of age, Rovinj Photodays has established itself as one of Croatia's key annual happenings for photography. As it should be, for the festival is the largest and most comprehensive event of its kind in Southeast Europe. The festival is currently taking place. Both winners and runners-up in all categories have been announced. But, acting under advisement, the event has only made itself available to the public online. We present here some of the highlights.   Winner in Portrait category 2020© Patrick Bienert     Winner in Documentary category 2020© Alessio Paduano     Second place in Documentary category 2020© Nik Erik Neubauer     Winner in Fashion category 2020© Patrick Bienert   The festival was founded in 2008 and entries for its competition aspect are submitted from all over the world. This year, a total of 2600 photographs by authors from 18 countries were put forward for consideration. Among the finalists were two photographers each from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Italy, Russia and Serbia. Photographers from the Netherlands, Germany and Slovenia also reached the final.   Winner in Architecture category 2020© Fadil Šarki     Winner in Portrait category 2020© Patrick Bienert     Second place in Architecture category 2020© Ivana Jagušić     Winner in Portrait category 2020© Patrick Bienert   2020's competition categories were: Nudy/Body, Architecture, Fashion, Documentary, Landscape and Portrait. The work of successful finalis