From the 10th of July to the 25th of August, Dubrovnik once again becomes a world-class stage as the 76th Dubrovnik Summer Festival brings 47 days of top-tier cultural programming to the city’s most beautiful historical and atmospheric venues. Since 1950, this most important and longest-running Croatian festival of high art has gathered elite names from the music, theatre, dance, and visual arts scenes. It remains an unmissable cultural event on the Mediterranean, and an invaluable asset for organisers of business events in Dubrovnik.
Dubrovnik as a Living Stage – Where Culture, History, and Modernity Meet
The Dubrovnik Summer Festival is more than a festival; it is a symbol of the city’s cultural identity, infused with rich history and contemporary artistic expression. With more than 70 events at 15 locations, the Festival brings together over 2,000 artists from Croatia and abroad. This year’s programme is especially inspired by women: strong female characters, authors, and performers form the guiding thread of the entire festival.
What makes the Festival particularly attractive for business event participants is its unique location dramaturgy. From the Lovrjenac Fortress and the island of Lokrum to the Rector’s Palace and the Revelin Fortress, every performance unfolds in an authentic historic space, creating an experience that transcends a conventional theatre or concert hall. These venues are the perfect backdrop for evening social programmes within business events.
Dramatic Spectacles Under the Stars
The 76th Festival presents nine different theatre titles, featuring well-known actors beloved by the Festival audience. Three premières form the backbone of the drama programme:
- “Fishermen’s Quarrels” by Carlo Goldoni, directed by Krešimir Dolenčić, translated into Dubrovnik dialect and staged in cooperation with the Croatian National Theatre Zagreb and the Marin Držić Theatre, première in the park of the Luka Sorkočević Art School.
- “Medea” by Steven Stone and Herta Müller, a contemporary take on the ancient myth, directed by Martin Kušej at the impressive Lovrjenac Fortress, starring Helena Minić Matanić and Uliks Fehmiu.
- “The Seagull” by A. P. Chekhov, directed by Janusz Kica on the enchanting island of Lokrum with Nina Violić, Filip Šovagović, and Bernarda Tomić, a theatrical homage to theatre itself and women’s stories.
Revivals such as “Equinox,” “The Tempest,” and the popular “Mare and Kate” offer additional cultural outings during any congress schedule.
Musical Highlights – From Viennese Classics to World-Class A Cappella
The music programme opens in grand style with “Ode to Joy,” marking the 100th anniversary of the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra, and closes with a Gala Opera Concert featuring soprano Nina Machaidze, tenor Vittorio Grigolo, and bass-baritone Marko Mimica.
Do not miss:
- The first Croatian recital by opera star Sonya Yoncheva with pianist Malcolm Martineau.
- A recital by famed pianist Khatia Buniatishvili.
- Philharmonix, members of the Vienna and Berlin Philharmonics, blending classical, jazz, and pop in one unforgettable concert.
There will also be performances by The King’s Singers, L’Arpeggiata, World Jazz Orchestra, Marcos da Silva Trio, and many others.
Ballet, Folklore, Visual Arts – Women at the Centre
The ballet ensemble of the Croatian National Theatre Zagreb presents “Giselle,” a romantic-ballet classic on the Revelin Terrace, while the Linđo Folklore Ensemble marks 60 years of artistry, an ideal folkloric addition to any social programme for domestic or international guests.
The visual arts section focuses on female identity and freedom. Exhibitions such as “Toutes les Femmes” (Dimitrije Popović), “Greetings to the City” (Antonija Rusković), and “Women of Dubrovnik” (in cooperation with Dubrovnik Museums) enrich the overall cultural experience through modern interpretations of traditional motifs.
Adding one or more festival evenings to the schedule of a business event allows guests to experience Dubrovnik in its most magnificent cultural form alongside the professional part of the program. At a time when business guests increasingly seek experiences that blend the professional with the personal, the educational with the inspirational, and the formal with the emotional, the Dubrovnik Summer Festival offers exactly that: a world-class cultural experience in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Tickets for the festival are available at www.dubrovnik-festival.hr and www.ulaznice.hr.
