First Advent candle to be lit & thousands of lights to go on in Zagreb on Saturday
- by croatiaweek
- in Entertainment
Advent in Zagreb to open on Saturday with first candle being lit (Photo credit: Marija Gašparović/Zagreb Toursit Board)
ZAGREB, 27 November 2019 – The lighting of the first Advent candle at Mandusevac fountain on Ban Jelacic square will take place on Saturday, 30 November, signalling the start of Advent in Zagreb.
The first Advent candle will be lit at 5 pm on Saturday at Mandusevac fountain before thousands of lights go on around the city at 8 pm, starting on Zrinjevac, to bring to life what is a magical atmosphere around the city of Zagreb.
Advent in Zagreb will feature numerous events until 7 January 2020 at a number of locations in the city, inspired this year by The Nutcracker ballet, ecology and culture.
“This year’s Advent will be the most beautiful so far, with three main themes being, The Nutcracker and heritage, ecology and sustainability, and accessibility for persons with disabilities,” said Zagreb City Tourism Board director Martina Bienenfeld, adding that smaller and bigger sculptures of The Nutcracker, made by Petar Banda, would be displayed at locations across the city, most restaurants and bars would be using paper cups and plates, and special ramps would be installed to facilitate the movement of persons with disabilities.
This year again, Advent in Zagreb will feature an ice rink in King Tomislav Square. Bienenfeld also said the event had a rich music and concert programme, with emphasis on classical music. A live Nativity scene will be staged outside the Zagreb Cathedral, she said, adding that the event’s programme also included museum exhibitions and a humanitarian run.
(Photo credit: Julien Duval/Zagreb TZ)
This year, there will be no free public transport on the weekends during Advent on buses and trams, but there will be discounts on trains. There will be a 50% discount for all passengers on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays on trains arriving to Zagreb Advent, as well as free transport to the suburbs on Mondays-Thursdays, from 4 pm – 12 pm, from Dugo Selo to Zagreb or from Savski Marof to the Main Station.
