On Friday, July 9th 2021, we marked four years since the inscription of ‘Venetian fortification system’ to UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
In Zadar many things were done during those four years and most important is that the city walls have experienced a huge renovation project called ZADAR BAŠTINI (‘From Zadar to Its Heritage’). The project transformed an existing road into a promenade for walks and encounters of the locals and their guests. Since this important renovation is finished, finally it was possible to organize the celebration of the anniversary on the walls themselves!
City of Zadar organized an evening programme for citizens, free of charge and with respect to all the epidemiological measures prescribed. The evening celebration also marks the start of the ‘Embrace Zadar’ campaign. The celebration took place on the part of the ramparts called ‘The ramparts of Zadar insurgents’ which are surrounding and embracing the old town on its north side. Four stages were organized on this part of the walls and variety of cultural manifestations was prepared.
Croatian and local artists were invited to contribute to the joy of the occasion. On the four stages: Drioli, St. Marcella, St. Roch and Kaštel (Castello), the City of Zadar prepared programs that communicate with the Renaissance history of the ramparts.
On the east side of the walls, on the stage Drioli, two performances of a comedia dell arte ‘Punch & Judy’ of the Zadar Puppet Theatre were held. Stage St. Roch, in the midterm of the rampart, is where manouche jazz by Gipsy Swing Sindikat was played. Nearby an exhibition called ‘Intra muros’ by Zadar’s famous photographer – Ante Brkan is showed. While on the west part of the ramparts at the stage Kaštel (Castello) the ensemble for the Marco Polo renaissance music and the Zadar Dance Ensemble had their performances. Finally, St. Marcella stage was reserved for the so called ‘Rock the Walls’ programm by the Croatian pop-rock music band Psihomodo Pop.
The full scale programme drew a lot of citizens who enjoyed their evening celebrating and embracing their cultural heritage in the same way the city walls embrace Zadar.
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