A visit to Garešnica – home of the first Croatian star on U.S. music charts
- by croatiaweek
- in Entertainment
(Photo: Private album)
The town of Garešnica, located in the heart of Croatia in the Bjelovar-Bilogora County, beckons visitors with its natural beauty, but also a legacy steeped in cultural significance.
What is evident, is that the town is very proud of being the birthplace of singer and songwriter Ivo Robić, who was the first Croatian musician to conquer the American music charts.
Born on January 28, 1923, in Garešnica, Robić recorded over 100 singles throughout his illustrious career, but it was the success of the song ‘Morgen’ in 1959 that propelled him to international stardom.
Ivo Robić (Photo: Private album)
His rendition of the song became a hit in both Europe and America, and made him the first Croatian to break into the Top 20 on the American music charts.
The song, his first collaboration with Bert Kaempfert, reached No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States and sold over one million copies, earning Robić a gold disc.
He also performed the Croatian and German versions of Kaempfert’s 1966 international hit ‘Strangers in the Night’ (‘Stranci u Noći’), later asserting his authorship of the song famously recorded by Frank Sinatra.
(Photo: Stipe Boščić)
Robić stood as the sole Croatian artist whose music graced the shelves of record stores across Europe and beyond. He had a number of chart-toppers like “Vraćam se Zagrebe tebi,” “Ta tvoja ruka mala,” and “Tiho plove moje čežnje”.
Ivo Robić Gallery
Located at the Garešnica Visitor Centre ‘Natura 2000,’ there is now a Ivo Robić Gallery opened for visitors.
Director of the Tourist Board of North Moslavina, Daniela Belak inside the gallery (Photo: Stipe Boščić)
On display are Robić’s musical sheets, letters, photographs, instruments, microphones, and other personal belongings of the popular singer.
(Photo: Stipe Boščić)
(Photo: Private album)
The memorabilia was obtained from private archives and from collectors and friends of Robić, and an impressive collection has been assembled.
(Photo: Private album)
(Photo: Private album)
The gallery is open to visitors every day except Sunday and Monday from 8 am to 4 pm.
(Photo: Private album)
Mural
Additionally, a mural dedicated to Robić adorns the rear facade of the nearby Croatian House, formerly the Cultural Centre where he performed, marking it the first mural in Croatia dedicated to him.
(Photo: Stipe Boščić)
The idea for the mural was proposed by the SFERIA association, supported by the Tourist Board of North Moslavina and the town of Garešnica.
The mural was created by artists Matija Vnučec and Alen Miler.
(Photo: Stipe Boščić)
If you visit Garešnica, make sure to delve into the rich musical heritage of Ivo Robić, and depart with a deeper appreciation for the town’s cultural significance and the enduring legacy of its beloved son.
