PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL OF THE EU
SHINING A LIGHT
Photo: Borko Vukosav / Rijeka 2020
By happy coincidence, one of the country’s most historically significant cities is also set to enjoy a resplendent 2020 – with such focus on Croatia, this could turn out to be the dawn of a new age for the country.
THE CITY THAT NEVER GIVES IN
Some 160 km away from the capital, Rijeka is a Croatian port city located in the corner of the Adriatic Sea, commonly regarded as a gateway to the Croatian islands. As one of this year’s two European Capitals of Culture (rijeka2020.eu), Rijeka will offer an extensive year-round cultural program from February 2020 to January 2021.
THROUGH SPACE AND TIME
Expect festivals, exhibitions, conferences, performance shows including opera, concerts by both international and Croatian artists, grass roots projects, the installation of sculptures,
artist Jan Lauwers and Greek choreographer Andonis Fondianakis.
The city’s spaces will be re-imagined. The former Rikard Benčić factory, for example, will be transformed into The City Museum of Rijeka, the Rijeka City Library and the Children’s House.
‘Kitchen of Diversity’ addresses issues of migration and minorities within gastronomy and art. For example, Romani people and individuals with disabilities have been invited to participate in plays at the national theatre, while the phenomenon of Afrofuturism will be discussed as a political and cultural movement.
And a cultural tourism route is also being prepared, which will include 17 castles and religious sites, focusing on the journey of the Frankopans, one of the country’s most distinguished noble families.
Find out more at rijeka2020.eu.
ECLECTIC AND ELECTRIC
The cultural program consists of seven intertwined thematic segments, which have each been designed in co-operation with domestic and foreign partners. In order to highlight the connectivity within Europe, one of the flagships, ‘27 Neighbourhoods’, matches 27 member states of the EU with 27 villages or towns in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, where Rijeka is located.
Photo: Borko Vukosav / Rijeka 2020
The Rijeka 2020 cultural and artistic program consists of three themes – water, work and migration – that couldn’t be more apt. First off, ‘rijeka’ means ‘river’, and if its waters weren’t enough, it is one of the rainiest cities in the region. Furthermore, due to its location Rijeka has been part of seven different countries in the past century alone!
book promotions, and meet-and-greets with the citizens of Rijeka.
‘Times of Power’ is an exhibition program that showcases the dynamic history of Rijeka. The city has survived countless occupations and changes of leadership, and ‘power’ is a key theme in the exhibitions, dance, music and performances, featuring the likes of Belgian CROATIA SUPPLEMENT
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