The KravataArt Event

The Zagreb Tourist Board has teamed up with the Academia Cravatica Institute to organize a special art event, KravataArt, which will take place until the end of the year. This event features art installations of monumental ties that will be on display in Zagreb's squares as well as at the airport.

During the months of May and June, painted art installations of monumental ties will be mounted in four prominent squares throughout Zagreb as well as at Pleso Airport. These installations are part of the art event KravataArt, which has been jointly organized by the Zagreb Tourist Board and the Academia Cravatica Institute. The mounting of these installations in public spaces, as part of the more general project entitled “Zagreb – the Capital of the Cravat”, is a way to symbolically convey the message of the Croatian origins of the tie or cravat. During the 17th century, Croatian soldiers were first spotted wearing this modern fashion accessory. While serving in the then-French Army, they were famous not only for their bravery but also for the way they tied scarves around their necks. They even gave the name the “Royal Cravates” to a special regiment that was established in 1667.

The cravat, or tie, installations have been designed by sculptor Petar Ujević; they vary in size from four to five metres and the first one has already been installed at Zagreb's Airport. Painter Matko Vekić was commissioned to illustrate the installation once it was mounted at its designated place. The remaining four installations of monumental ties – which will promote Zagreb as a city synonymous with culture, hospitality and charm – will be mounted over the next two months. Zagreb's citizens and guests will be able to enjoy them until the end of the year.