The three-day festival in Karlovac from the 21st to the 23rd brings 15 performers, a children's program, workshops, and a rich selection of original rock music. Admission is free.
The RocKA Festival, already established as one of the most recognizable music gatherings in Karlovac, is making a significant leap this year. For the first time, it welcomes performers from outside Croatia, transforming the festival into a regional platform for promoting original rock music.
Organizers highlight that interest from performers continues to grow. This year's edition received more than 30 applications from all over Croatia, and among them were bands from Bosnia and Herzegovina. "So, we're kind of expanding internationally, which is a very good sign for us. We see that people are hearing about us," said Lucija Kasunić, a member of the band Novi Retro and one of the festival's organizers.
The festival will take place from the 21st to the 23rd at the grounds of the Karlovac Kennel and Sports Club. Admission for all visitors is free. The program starts on Friday at 6 PM, while Saturday and Sunday are packed with activities for all generations. Besides music, visitors can also expect various exhibitors of crafts and souvenirs, as well as official RocKA Festival merchandise.
Saturday will kick off with a children's program running from noon to 5 PM. In collaboration with the Buka Music Center from Karlovac, creative workshops and performances by students from the MIX Elementary and High School have been prepared for the youngest attendees. The evening music program on Saturday and Sunday starts at 5 PM.
A total of 15 performers are expected on the festival stage, plus Karlovac band Lore Laj for the finale. "On Sunday, from 5 PM until late into the night, however long people stay, we'll close it out with a party," added Kasunić.
Although rock music is the focus, the organizers don't restrict performers to a single genre. This year, the audience will again be able to hear a wide range of the alternative scene, from metal and heavier rock to punk and indie rock.
The festival continues its tradition of handing out awards. The organizing team will present symbolic awards to the three best performers, and a special "Golden Baton" will be given to a band that stands out in some way. "It's not like a Golden Raspberry, meaning a bad award, quite the opposite. In the organizing team, we always pick one band that really stood out to us for some reason," explained Kasunić.
The audience award will be decided by followers on social media. Through their likes on Facebook and Instagram, they can choose their favorite performer, and the one with the most votes will take home the title.
