Festival Opatija Director Marin Sušanj reveals why he's pleased with the season so far, announces major concerts and a humanitarian initiative, and shares plans for autumn and winter.
The summer stage in Opatija is delivering excellent results again this year, with a host of exciting events still ahead. In an interview for Nacionalni Portal, Festival Opatija Director Marin Sušanj highlights that the season so far has lived up to expectations, and he's particularly pleased that the program appeals to different generations.
"We're satisfied. Of course, there's always room for improvement and reflection on everything we do, but I can say that the season so far has met our expectations," Sušanj told Nacionalni Portal. He singled out the excellent turnout for concerts by Doris Dragović, Nina Unplugged, and Sergej Ćetković, as well as stand-up nights and the performance of Carmina Burana.
One of the season's highlights was Jakov Jozinović's concert, which saw overwhelming demand. "We're still buzzing from Jakov Jozinović's sold-out show, which saw a real scramble for tickets," Sušanj said.
But the summer's peak is yet to come. After a sold-out Arena Zagreb, Urban&4 will take the Summer Stage to celebrate 30 years of their musical journey together in Opatija. Sušanj emphasizes that the Summer Stage is the perfect backdrop for such a celebration. "The Summer Stage isn't a venue for grand spectacles in the classic sense; it's a place where performers and audiences forge a special connection, almost an intimate atmosphere, and I think that suits Urban and his music best," he explained.
"Anyone who's been to an Urban and the Four concert knows these are performers who always give their all to the audience."
August on the Summer Stage brings an exceptionally diverse program. Audiences can look forward to a performance by world jazz star Gregory Porter, the "In Oliver's Footsteps" concert, evenings of klapa music, and the Liburnia Film Festival. A special place in the program is held by the humanitarian initiative "Giving from the Heart for Kolibrići."
This program has provided developmental support to children with disabilities and their families for over twenty years. The humanitarian concert will feature Krešo i Kisele Kiše, Nola (acoustic), Speedclaw, and Cry Babies, with all performers and collaborators working pro bono. Partners in this effort include the Opatija Association "Naša djeca," the Koma association, and the City of Opatija. "We believe that programs like this show how culture can be a space for togetherness, solidarity, and concrete help for the local community," Sušanj stated.
Coming up soon is the international painting competition Mandrać, which for nearly four decades has turned Volosko into an open-air studio. Sušanj believes that authenticity is the key to its longevity. "I think it's precisely the authenticity that makes Mandracchio special," he said.
Although the summer season is slowly winding down, Festival Opatija isn't slowing down. Activities on the Summer Stage will continue until mid-October, with the Opatija Children's Week and the "Črna subota" concert organized by the Koma association in preparation. Work is also underway on the opening of the "Gervais" center, and plans include an Advent on the Summer Stage with an ice rink, as well as programs at the MOHO interpretation center in Volosko.
