Time Out Croatia news

The sprawling Zagreb Fair complex sits south of the Sava river in Novi (New) Zagreb. It was once the site of many world and trade fairs, where countries from all over the world (including both the USA and the USSR) showcased their exhibitions in its 40 pavilions. This architectural marvel is, today, underutilised and smaller, though its rich history and immense potential are worth attention and appreciation. Borna Filić/PIXSELLStatue of former mayor Većeslav Holjevac With this goal in mind, the Association for Interdisciplinary and Intercultural Research is organising a walking tour of the immense grounds this Saturday, October 28. Visitors will be offered an architectural, historical and cultural insight of the venue, its importance to the later construction of the unique and green New Zagreb extension of the Croatian capital, and will visit a series of pop-up exhibitions throughout. The tour will conclude at an exhibition dedicated to former mayor Većeslav Holjevac, to whom New Zagreb’s birth is largely credited. The tour begins at the main southern entrance of the fair at 10am. In the event of bad weather, it will be held the following day (October 29) at the same time. The tour in English lasts for two hours and participation is free. For more information, check the event’s page here.

Zagreb Film Festival (ZFF) is set to make a triumphant return to the capital for its 21st edition. Running from November 6 to 12, this much-anticipated event promises to captivate audiences with a diverse selection of films spanning multiple genres and showcasing emerging talent from Croatia and around the world. The festival unfolds across five locations in the Croatian capital, offering moviegoers a chance to explore the city's vibrant cultural scene. These venues include Kino SC (the Student Centre), CineStar Branimir, the Museum of Contemporary Art, Kino Kinoteka and Dokukino KIC. ZFF's 21st edition comprises a rich and diverse line-up. This involves five competitive programmes, showcasing a wide array of talent. In addition to main features and short films, ZFF also offers audiences the Checkers programme, shining a spotlight on the short films of young and aspiring filmmakers yet to make their long-form debut. This platform serves as a launchpad for burgeoning talent. The Together Again category reunites audiences with filmmakers previously featured at ZFF, offering an opportunity to witness their latest works. This highlights the enduring connections between the festival and its alumni. Marko Lukunić/PIXSELL Moreover, cinema enthusiasts can explore the Network of Festivals in the Adriatic Region selection, featuring films carefully selected by the organisers of prominent film festivals in Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. This collabo

Zagreb’s DEPO klub kicks off its rave season with an appearance by a young Hungarian DJ currently making waves around Europe, Marco Ginelli. From the gritty industrial town of Miskolc, Ginelli attracted the attention of Rijeka’s DJ Phyter, who invited him to make his first appearance in Zagreb this Friday. We caught up with Ginelli as he was preparing for his debut Croatian show: Time Out Croatia: When did you start DJing and what was your inspiration? Marco Ginelli: I fell into the world of electronic music at a ridiculously young age, in 2010, when I was 12 years old. That's when I got to know music genres and mixing techniques. My own first music of acceptable quality was released by a record label in the summer of 2013. From there I was able to bring the quality that can be sold on Beatport. As usual, I tried several genres (Tech House, Progressive House, Trance). I was inspired by my colleagues living in Miskolc, who had already been involved in the entertainment industry for years, and they gave me a lot of support and advice. Judit Lászka TOC: How much have your circumstances influenced your music? MG: I can call myself lucky, as I received all the support from my family, friends and my surroundings. It was thanks to the initial difficulties and negative reviews that I moved forward and learned to create a saleable intellectual product. TOC: How did you choose your DJ name? MG: This is one of my favourite questions, I get asked this often. Actually, in the beginning,

The self-styled smallest town in the world, the Istrian hilltop community of Hum (pop: 52) is also famous for its mistletoe-flavoured grappa, known as biska. Apparently concocted according to an ancient recipe originally from Hum and now available all over Istria, biska was originally used as a medicine.   It is one of many flavoured grappas being showcased at the Rakija Festival being held in Hum on October 28, rakija being the local term for this kind of spirit. Dozens of producers come from around the region to offer rakija varieties such as honey, walnut and sour-cherry. Accordion players add to the atmosphere as visitors negotiate the narrow streets of Hum, stopping off to sample a different rakija from one of the many stalls dotted around the walled medieval town.

Following a scorching summer, Zagreb has finally succumbed to the autumn and it’s time to start thinking about ways to explore the city while keeping warm. From literary sanctuaries to cat cafés and jazz-infused bars, Zagreb offers a range of inviting venues to cosy up and unwind. BooksaThis literary club/cafe is an ideal spot for those looking to slow down the pace of a visit to the centre. Alongside its scenic outdoor terrace and homely atmosphere inside, Booksa also hosts lectures, discussions, readings and more from heavy hitters in the local literary world and beyond. Get more information here. Martićeva ulica 14D. Open Tue-Fri noon-5.30pm, Sat 10am-3pm. Igor Kralj/PIXSELL Cat CaffeWith an extensive drinks menu - from teas and coffee to cocktails - this inviting café is an obvious choice for cat lovers. Over 15 feline friends call it home, all of whom you can get to know on their website. Come with friends and play a board game from the café’s huge collection, or bring some headphones and a good book – either way, the living-room atmosphere and cast of curious kittens make this a perfect spot to escape the cold. Dragojla Kušlana 6. Open Mon-Thur 9am-10pm, Fri-Sat 9am-11pm, Sun 1pm-10pm K&K MilčecFounded by famous Zagreb journalist Zvonimir Milčec, this café is just a minute’s walk from Trg Bana Jelačića, Zagreb’s main square. Given its central location, it’s surprising just how relaxed and intimate this two-floored café feels. Perfect for those wanting to take a quick

Initiated by Zagreb's UpArt project and the city-wide platform Artupunktur currently taking place across the capital, the Pupoljci art installation is promoting the planet-friendly concept of upcycling by transforming the Grič tunnel into a riot of colour and imagination. The perfect showcase for UpArt, a creative collaboration that explores an ecological approach to art, Pupoljci has been fashioned from discarded plastic bags and tarpaulin, broken umbrellas and scraps of metal. The material was collated by leaving the minimal ecological footprint. Several art collectives and organisations are coming together this autumn to position Zagreb as a creative centre and key player in the contemporary cultural scene in Central Europe. Artworks are being displayed in unusual urban spaces – the Grič tunnel beneath the Upper Town was used as a bomb shelter during World War II and a venue for raves in the early days of techno. For more information, see here.

Restaurants across Croatia are offering slashed prices on their lunch and dinner menus until October 22. The 27th biannual Restaurant Week in Croatia will see 52 top restaurants offering remarkable discounts. In cities such as Zagreb, Rijeka, Split, Osijek and Pula, diners can find lunch menus priced at €18 or €20, as well as full three-course dinners for €18, €20, or €22. This year, the event welcomes an impressive nine new restaurants to its lineup. Notable newcomers include Riva in Pula, known for its terrace seating along a scenic promenade leading to the sea, and Dolce Vita, a bustling bistro on Zagreb's lively ulica Ivana Tkalčića. Visitors to Croatia can seize the opportunity to indulge their gastronomic desires, while discovering a few new venues along the way. For more information (including all participating cities and restaurants), check the website here.

The central Croatian city of Karlovac, located between Zagreb and Rijeka, is known for its castle, its Karlovačko beer and its aquarium. Now it seems it may have another claim to fame: as home to the Croatian Banksy. One recent morning, Karlovac citizens were surprised to find an amusing mural of a mouse about gain revenge on a cat as she turns the corner of the street – actually, a major urban intersection where the main avenue of Korzo and ulica Stjepana Radića meet. While the location for the illustration is a prominent one, nobody has signed the artwork nor claimed ownership. Whoever it was also drew a less sinister likeness, in which the cat is seeing attempting to catch a bird. Will the anonymous artist now create another mural somewhere else in Karlovac?

Croatia’s nationwide supermarket chain Studenac is collaborating with family-run farms across the agricultural region of Slavonia to stock more local produce in its 1,000-plus stores. Operating under the motto ‘Small and Essential’, the Omiš-based company has put in place agreements with two associations of small-batch producers, Jabuka and Osatina, to give their fruit and vegetables more direct access to a wider market. Competing against major multinationals, Studenac has positioned itself as the retailer closest to home, both in terms of store sizes and locations, but also where the stock is concerned. The Dalmatian firm is looking to intensify its broaden its working relationship with more local producers across Croatia.  

The third edition of Artupunktura has just been launched in Zagreb. Marked by a live musical performance, the opening event took place in the heart of the city within a passageway on Ilica 1, steps from the central square of Trg Bana Jelačića. The thoroughfare was symbolically renamed Prolaz Tomislava Gotovca in tribute to the renowned late performance artist, Tomislav Gotovac. His legendary work, Zagreb, I Love You!, unfolded on the very street leading to this passageway back in 1981. Artupunktura’s mission is to blend art into the fabric of public institutions and urban spaces, creating a platform that champions local artists and fosters collaboration within the city’s local communities. Artupunktura believes in the transformative power of art and artists, emphasising their pivotal role in bringing about meaningful social and ecological changes in urban environments. Jan Bantić In this year's edition, art enthusiasts can look forward to more than 30 events spread across numerous locations in the Croatian capital. The programme is a dynamic mix of activities, with highlights such as the 9th Gallery Rally, a captivating pub-crawl style gallery tour through the city centre, as well as the Music Atrium celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Zagreb Youth Theatre, one of the capital's most influential and progressive cultural institutions. This event, running until November 10, offers visitors the chance to engage with the often under-appreciated yet thriving contemporary arti