If ever there was a city made for the graceful charms of a summer festival, Dubrovnik is that place. The atmosphere that fills Dubrovnik streets is practically begging for the intricate emotions of theatre, the powerful hope of opera, and the tender strains of classical music.
Founded in 1950, the Dubrovnik Summer Festival fills the summer calendar and does great justice to its vaunted location, providing the perfect cultural backdrop to the gorgeous streets of the city. The 2024 edition runs from July 10 to August 25, and the program is as impressive as we’ve come to expect from this beloved institution.
The original aim of the festival was to marry the Renaissance and Baroque history and aura of Dubrovnik with the city’s cultural traditions, maintaining a streak of creativity in and around buildings seemingly designed for magic. Theatre has always been the dominant form, with iconic names like Shakespeare giving new life in gorgeous surroundings. However, as much as Shakespeare is loved, the Dubrovnik Summer Festival takes great pride in its national artists, and you’re just as likely to see something by Marin Drźić or Ivan Gundulić as you are the Bard of Avon. Only the best actors are given this particular stage, from the brightest young talents to iconic figures and even an Oscar winner or two (Daniel Day-Lewis performed “Hamlet” here in 1989). If theatre is your thing, get ready for your new favourite festival.
Music has always been an integral part of classical culture, and the Dubrovnik Summer Festival understands this keenly. The finest solo artists and ensembles provide the perfect backdrop to the occasion, expertly using the incredible acoustics of the town’s streets and buildings. There are few musical experiences as harmonious as hearing the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra in the Rector’s Palace or the JM Jazz World Orchestra at Lovrjenac Fort. Elsewhere, ballet and foklore are essential strings on this cultural bow, with plenty for aficionados to get excited about.
The highlights of the 2024 program are too many to mention, to the point where you could choose a random day and a random performance, and you are almost guaranteed to experience something extraordinary. Moreover, the festival is accompanied by an exciting selection of exhibitions, workshops, discussions and awards (the Orlando Award, given by Croatian National Radio and Television for best achievements in the music and theatre program, is awarded here), creating a real all you can eat cultural buffet that will satisfy even the most voracious of visitors. It all begins on July 10 with the opening ceremony in front of St Blaise’s Church before the spectacular closing ceremony 46 days later.
You can check the detailed programme here and get your tickets here.
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