Croatia is host to the first World Art Games

Have you ever heard of the World Art Games? Of course not, because this “Art Olympics” is yet to have its premiere, and since the idea was conceived in Croatia, our homeland will have the honour of hosting the premiere edition of this great art event. The games will take place between June 29th and July 10th in four Croatian cities. Participants from approximately 50 countries will compete in 17 art disciplines.

If you are an aficionado of art, make sure to be in Croatia between June 29th and July 10th, because Croatia will then be host to the premiere edition of the World Art Games!

The “Art Olympics” will be hosted by four Croatian cities – Zagreb, Vukovar, Ludbreg and Umag. Some 1000 artists from approximately 50 countries worldwide are expected to participate.

Since this will be the Art Games’ premiere edition, this year’s event in Croatia will not be competitive as the participating authors exhibit their works in 17 different disciplines. The large cultural event will bring together all forms of art - painting, sculpting, ceramics, photography, film, theatre, music, fashion, design and even culinary art, and numerous famous names from all over the world will present their oeuvre in those disciplines.

Programmes will take place in various relevant spaces – galleries where artists will exhibit their work and participate in informal meet-and-greet events. Theatre troupes, stage performers and music bands will show off their talents in theatres and concert halls, while admission to all programmes will be completely free of charge.

Some acts will take place in only one of the aforementioned host cities, while other acts will travel so that more people can see them.

Many plans are in the pipeline for concurrent events. However, according to what has been finalized so far, the programme of the 1st World Art Games will be enjoyed by participants and visitors alike.

The brain behind the World Art Games is the great Croatian-Israeli painter Petar Weisz who came up with the idea in Osijek in 2008. He patented it and founded the WAG (World Art Games), which now has national committees in 60 countries around the globe.

Since the games originate from Croatia, it has been decided that the premiere edition will be held on Croatian soil, but in the future the games will take place every two years in other countries as well. Candidacies have already been put up by South Korea and Mexico for the 2nd games in 2015, and Turkey for the 3rd games in 2017.

A detailed programme and information about the events of the 1st World Art Games will be available before the games start on the official website at www.wagcroatia.org.