Dubrovnik Summer Festival - the city as a big cultural stage
Summer in Dubrovnik is marked by one of the most prominent European cultural festivals and the most important cultural events in Croatia - the Dubrovnik Summer Festival - when the history of local and world culture, as well as the latest theatre and music-scenic projects, comes to life among the magnificent walls, in full splendour. Every year, during July and August, Dubrovnik becomes a living stage for numerous music, drama and dance performances, exhibitions and accompanying programs.
The Dubrovnik Summer Festival was founded in the early 1950’s, conceived as a place of creation, a meeting place and a melting pot for new ideas. At a time when numerous theatrical and musical events began to be organized throughout Europe, the Dubrovnik Summer Festival stood out thanks to Dubrovnik's rich heritage, combining the Renaissance and Baroque atmosphere of the city with the spirit of dramatic and musical culture. And it is from Dubrovnik that some of the most important Croatian dramaturgical names and works originated, so the works of Marin Držić, Nikola Nalješković, Ivan Gundulić and Ivo Vojnović became the backbone of the Dubrovnik Summer Festival's drama program. Thanks to its unique ambient atmosphere and the possibility of permeating dramatic works with the squares, palaces, fortresses and parks of Dubrovnik, the program has expanded to include classic European dramatic works. Thus, the works of Shakespeare, Goldoni, Greek tragedians, Molière, Corneille and Goethe became the traditional repertoire of the festival. The musical part of the program of the Dubrovnik Summer Festival includes the presentation of the best domestic composers, soloists and orchestras, as well as distinguished soloists and ensembles from all over the world.
The 73rd Dubrovnik Summer Festival brings a rich drama and musical program
This year, the 73rd in a row, the Dubrovnik Summer Festival is held from July 10 to August 25 at sixteen scenic locations in the city. Among them, the Rector's Palace stands out for its acoustics, but the Lovrjenac, Minčeta and Revelin fortresses, the island of Lokrum, the Gundulić Square, the Art School Park and numerous other city locations are also transformed into monumental stages. During the festival, forty different programs are held on them, in which most of the Croatian theatre and music artists perform, as well as many distinguished foreign artists and famous groups.
As every year, the festival begins with the ceremonial raising of the Libertas flag in front of the Church of St. Blaise. After two pandemic years, this year's edition is being held again without epidemiological restrictions, so the opening with the verses of the Hymn to Freedom performed by the Pro Musica Academic Choir, the Libertas Choir, the Dubrovnik Chamber Choir and the Blasius Choir, with the recitation of two Ukrainian actresses, was particularly emotional. The event traditionally begins with a solemn ceremony in which the Rector hands over the keys to the city to the artists, and this year's opening marked the 750th anniversary of the adoption of the Dubrovnik Statute, as the foundation of the legal order and a symbol of Dubrovnik's identity and statehood.
The first premiere drama production this year was the Dubrovnik comedy from the 17th century "Lovers", with the theme of courtship, which mocks levity, avarice, false learning and superstition. The highlight of the festival drama program will be the performance of the cult drama "Bloody Wedding", by F. G. Lorca from 1933, for the first time at the festival. Among the programs that have been held before, Magelli's "Hamlet on Lovrjenac", last year's successful "Lion's Head" and "Mara and Kata" were awarded.
The cooperation with the Croatian National Theatre from Zagreb continues, which is performing in the Gradac Park with the play "Genius Friend", and on the same stage it will present to the festival audience a superb ballet based on a literary model, "Pride and Prejudice".
As an indispensable part of the dance program of the Dubrovnik Summer Festival, the Linđo Folklore Ensemble presents the rich Croatian folklore, dance and musical heritage with its traditional performances.
In addition, the Dubrovnik Summer Festival also includes a rich musical program. Thus, in the atrium of the Rector’s Palace this summer, world-class and domestic pianists, violinists, guitarists, as well as the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra, the Zagreb Quartet with guests will perform, and the fourth edition of the concert program "Dubrovnik on the Musical Rock" will be held, with Dubrovnik and guest musicians.
Already traditionally, the 73rd Dubrovnik Summer Festival will be closed by the Symphony Orchestra of the Croatian Radio and Television in front of the Cathedral, this year with a performance of the world-famous young American soprano Nadine Sierra.