PHOTOS: 77th Dubrovnik Summer Festival opens

(Photo: Grad Dubrovnik)

DUBROVNIK, 11 July 2025 – The 77th Dubrovnik Summer Festival officially opened on Thursday evening with the traditional raising of the Libertas flag in front of St Blaise’s Church, accompanied by verses from Ivan Gundulić’s Hymn to Freedom.

The festival, one of Croatia’s most important cultural events, will run from 10 July until 25 August, transforming Dubrovnik’s historic streets, squares and landmarks into open-air stages.

The opening ceremony was directed and choreographed by Leo Mujić, based on a script by Željka Udovičić Pleština, with musical direction by maestro Ivan Repušić and costumes designed by Leo Kulaš.

(Photo: Grad Dubrovnik)

The evening featured performances by the Munich Radio Orchestra, soprano Marija Kuhar Šoša, the Ivan Goran Kovačić Academic Choir, the Dubrovnik Chamber Choir, Libertas Choir, Blasius Choir, the Children’s Choir of the Luka Sorkočević Art School and the renowned Linđo Folklore Ensemble, alongside a large festival drama ensemble.

The official opening attracted senior Croatian government officials, including Speaker of Parliament Gordan Jandroković, Deputy Prime Minister Branko Bačić, Minister of Culture and Media Nina Obuljen Koržinek, Minister of Tourism and Sport Tonči Glavina, European Commissioner Dubravka Šuica, as well as regional and local leaders, diplomats, church representatives and numerous guests.

(Photo: Grad Dubrovnik)

Over the next 47 days, audiences can enjoy more than 70 theatre, music, dance, folklore and other cultural performances staged at a variety of atmospheric venues throughout Dubrovnik.

(Photo: Grad Dubrovnik)

The programme once again highlights the Dubrovnik Summer Festival’s reputation as one of Croatia’s premier cultural events and one of the leading festivals in this part of Europe, bringing together artists and audiences in the city’s unique UNESCO-listed setting.