PHOTOS: Croatian cities welcome New Year with midday traditional celebrations
- by croatiaweek
- in News
(Photo: Grad Zagreb)
Croatian cities and towns marked New Year’s Eve today with a series of traditional midday celebrations, bringing together families, locals and visitors in a festive atmosphere across the country.
Zagreb: Children’s New Year at Cvjetni Trg
In Zagreb, the focus was on the youngest residents, who welcomed the New Year at the popular Cvjetni Trg (Petar Preradović Square).
Children were joined by parents, grandparents and friends in a cheerful celebration filled with music, dancing and laughter.
(Photo: Grad Zagreb)
Singer Bojan Jambrošić entertained the crowd alongside special guests from the children’s choir Zagrepčanke i dečki, creating a lively atmosphere in the city centre.
(Photo: Grad Zagreb)
A symbolic countdown to noon was held, with Zagreb Mayor Tomislav Tomašević joining children on stage.
(Photo: Grad Zagreb)
Addressing those gathered, Mayor Tomašević said the New Year should be celebrated the way children know best, with smiles, song and joy, wishing them new friendships, exciting experiences and success in play and learning in the year ahead.
(Photo: Grad Zagreb)
(Photo: Grad Zagreb)
The City of Zagreb have also prepared a major evening concert programme for all generations at Ban Jelačić Square, where the New Year was set to be welcomed with performances by Idem, Luzeri, Elemental and Dubioza Kolektiv.
Fužine: A Well-Known Midday Countdown
In the Rijeka hinterland, the town of Fužine once again attracted attention with its well-known New Year’s Eve midday countdown.
The event has become a recognisable tradition, drawing visitors keen to celebrate the arrival of the New Year earlier in the day.
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Osijek: Over 30 Years of New Year’s Eve River Swimming
Despite low air and water temperatures, Osijek continued its long-standing tradition of winter swimming in the River Drava on New Year’s Eve.
(Photo: Grad Osijek)
The event, which has been held for more than three decades, saw several brave participants jump into the icy river to symbolically farewell the old year.
Osijek Deputy Mayor Dragan Vulin praised the swimmers for their courage, highlighting the strong symbolic and social value of the tradition.
He also reminded the public that the event is held in memory of Duško Rudeš, who initiated and sustained the custom for many years.
(Photo: Grad Osijek)
Among this year’s participants was 21-year-old Viktorija Sekereš, who said she was pleased to see younger generations continuing the tradition.
(Photo: Grad Osijek)
Long-time participant Bojan Marušić recalled years when swimmers had to break ice to enter the river, while Danijel Novoselac emphasised the health benefits of winter swimming, which he practices regularly as a way to strengthen immunity.
(Photo: Grad Osijek)
