Advent in Osijek opens – check out how it looks
- by croatiaweek
- in Entertainment
(Photo: Osijek.hr)
Advent in Osijek, last year’s winner of the competition for the best Advent in Croatia, opened last night in the most magical and fairytale part of Slavonia, the Osijek Baroque Fortress.
Advent in Osijek will last until 30 December and brings a rich cultural, entertainment and gastronomic program for all ages with an emphasis on children and young people.
Advent was opened on Friday, on Osijek City Day, by Mayor Ivan Radić, Prefect of Osijek-Baranja County Ivan Anušić, and Minister of Regional Development and EU Funds Nataša Tramišak, who congratulated Osijek locals on their City Day.
(Photo: Osijek.hr)
– Tonight we end our birthday with the opening of Advent. We have provided citizens with free entry to the ZOO, City swimming pools and free public transport. We also have a Christmas tram. We turned on the lights, this year a record number of 15 kilometres of lights will surround Osijek. I am glad that there are people, there is a good catering, craft and music offer. This year too, we have the largest Ferris wheel in Croatia, from which you can see both the Baranja and Osijek sides. We returned Advent after four years to the Fortress, which has already been largely renovated, mostly with EU funds and an investment of HRK 127 million. There is no more beautiful location than the magical, fairytale and baroque Fortress – said Mayor Radić.
(Photo: Osijek.hr)
He added that on New Year’s Eve, a party will be organised for young and old, and in the evening, Crvena Jabuka will perform on Osijek’s main square.
Advent was the best and most beautiful in Croatia last year, I’m sure it will defend its title this year. There is no reason not to, because this Advent is really beautiful, in the centre of the baroque, beautiful and fairytale-like Fortress, which gives a special atmosphere – said Prefect Ivan Anušić.
(Photo: Osijek.hr)
(Photo: Osijek.hr)
(Photo: Osijek.hr)
In addition to tastings of Slavonian delicacies at the advent houses, the largest Ferris wheel in Croatia, and other entertainment and decorations, the people of Osijek and visitors enjoyed a concert from Osijek Big Band.
(Photo: Osijek.hr)
On the other days of Advent, among the many musical treats, the performances of the A side, Neno Belan, Klapa Rišpet and Soulfingers stand out, and musicians and entertainers from Osijek will also be well represented.
The children’s program will include evening fairy tales, street shows, a cinema and Santa’s large post office. This year, the Osijek Christmas tram, decorated with thousands of lights and painted with Christmas motifs, will provide an unforgettable experience.
(Photo: Osijek.hr)
Also new are the Saturday matinee programs with which, under the leadership of the famous Croatian gastronomad Rene Bakalović, the thematic cycle of discovering new Slavonian gastronomy will begin.
All this will be completed by 15 kilometres of holiday lighting, a large amusement park near “Školjka”, the central city pine next to the Osijek co-cathedral, as well as organised catering points in the centre of the city.
(Photo: Osijek.hr)
(Photo: Osijek.hr)
During December, Advent houses will be open every working day from 4 to 10 p.m., except for Fridays and Saturdays, when they will be open until midnight. It will also work on Sundays from 16:00 to 22:00, and on Christmas Eve from 10:00 to 17:00.
(Photo: Osijek.hr)
(Photo: Osijek.hr)
More details about the Advent in Osijek programme can be found here.
(Photo: Osijek.hr)
The organisers are the Cultural Centre and the Tourist Board of the City of Osijek with the patronage of the City of Osijek and a partnership with the Osijek-Baranja County.
