A City of Street Festivals

More than 400 performers from four continents will partake in various street happenings, numerous parties and unusual sporting events that will be organized as part of this year’s international street festival Cest is d’Best.

Every June, Zagreb’s squares and streets traditionally become a large stage for street entertainers, performers, members of alternative theater groups and various other artists who come from all over the world to participate in the international street festival Cest is d’Best. In its 12th edition, this year’s festival will be organized from June 2nd until June 8th, with participation by more than 400 performers from four continents. There will be song and dance galore, an abundance of entertainment and whacky programs and even crazier sporting events; for example the street sweepers’ garbage cart race. Parents with small children will also have a chance to partake as a baby race is also being organized in which the participants can crawl to the finish line. The parents take this race very seriously which is always evident by their loud cheers of support as well as an unhidden desire for their toddler to be the first to reach the finish line.

Concurrent with the exciting events that will take place in the city streets and squares, another street festival, Summers on Stross, will ensue in a slightly quieter tone in one of Zagreb’s most beautiful promenades in the Upper Town. Throughout June, this festival will offer many cultural and entertainment events, including film projections, stage shows and musical performances, while the works of painters and artists will create a particularly intriguing atmosphere. However, this festival will not lack street parties or unusual competitions as a large exhibition of charming mongrel dogs will be held for the first time this year. Another interesting event will be the celebration of the Half-New Year, when a big fireworks display will be organized just as it always is on New Year’s Eve.

The driving force behind both festivals is Zagreb’s favorite street performers, The Street Kings. In association with the Tourist Board of the City of Zagreb, they have also organized Marko’s Fair in mid May. It is a fair which nurtures the tradition of old crafts and the production of indigenous items. Some eighty exhibitors presented their products. However, it must be said, the interest for participation far exceeded the space that was allocated to the fair. Some twenty old crafts were demonstrated and, throughout the four days of the festival, knights, ladies and their entourage from the Middle Ages were a common sight on Zagreb’s main square.