Dear friends and business partners

The scent of roasting chestnuts, the vivid colours of the farmers’ market tell us unequivocally that autumn has arrived, a real Zagreb autumn. A good part of the city’s events move indoors but the offering is equally rich. Before us is a range of events of great tradition and significance, worthwhile events which over years have won a large and loyal following and without which this time of year would be hard to imagine.

The 15^th Zagreb Film Festival awaits film lovers, bringing us more than 100 screenings and films over some 15 programmes at a range of city locations. Zagreb will be the centre of great film and will be a great host to cinephiles from all over Croatia and around the world. The best films will win awards, and although it may be an unenviable task to select any one thing from everything on offer it is worth saying that this year too the “Bibijada” and “PLUS” programmes will present film for children and young people, while the supporting programme “With Us Again” will show new films by directors who are greats today but were once novices at the Zagreb Film Festival, such as Andrey Zvyagintsev, Joachim Trier, Sofia Coppola and Jan Cvitkovič.

For the ninth year running we will be able to enjoy the event “Theatre Night”. Zagreb will, of course, be part of the project which is held in 11 European countries with the aim of popularising the dramatic arts. The theatre will once again be the place of encounters, dialogue and socialising for theatre workers, actors and audiences. The rich programme offers excellent plays, for both adults and children. Theatre Night is an event which creates a new audience for theatre in a city with a rich dramatic heritage.

Neither will this autumn be short of attractive musical events. Bryan Adams is performing at Zagreb Arena. The popular Canadian singer has in his career spanning almost 40 years sold more than 100 million albums. In the Arena he will be promoting his new album as part of a tour which, apart from Croatia, stops in Great Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Belgium, Italy and Switzerland, among others.

All of this is a fantastic overture to Advent in Zagreb, a festive celebration which every year attracts more and more visitors and guests from Croatia and abroad. And until then, there is no reason not to enjoy the autumn, rich and varied, whether you simply stroll through Dolac market or choose a cultural performance.

Welcome!
Martina Bienenfeld
CEO, Zagreb Tourist Board