Violinist

Photo by Violinist

The world already knows that Zagreb loves coffee, it has the most colourful central open air market, lovely architecture... it might all be a lovable part of this city's personality, but is it truly a look inside its soul?

I'm just trying to identify myself with a quest brought up to all the Zagrebers by Aning Film production team. To find the wondering spirit of Zagreb in the form of Violinist.

I may not have found him (or it) yet, but I've already been a fan of the project for some months now. Which is why I'm thrilled to have had a chance to meet Bojan, Matija and Mladen, members of the Violinist team, as part of the coworking session this Wednesday. Mladen is the actor whose expressiveness drags you deep into the idea of finding Violinist, making you long for the encounter with his alter ego. Matija and Bojan started the search for Violinist by working on their short film and cross-media project. They shared their unique plans and vision with the audience on that particular occasion.  They're now wrapping up the movie and designing a search-exchange-platform. But it doesn't really feel right to write about the details just now. After all, it's your quest, too, to capture Violinist.

Little Boy Attending Gricevanje

I started to write  this post two weeks ago, but I never seem to find the time to finish it up. However, since it was already half written, I've decided to get back to it.

It so happens that it's another sculpted post in a row, or how else should we call this set of articles about statues and their makers?  Not that I'm obsessed with any sculptures, but they do serve as tangible links to untold stories of Zagreb. 

And it also happened that Gricevanje festival organized a horror-story-contest. I applied with my interpretation of the boy sculpture from the photo and the spooky location he's forced to call home. I thought it was a good idea, since the Park Grič, where the sculpture is placed, bears the very name that inspired the festival. It's actually the name of the hill of the upper town Zagreb. Unfortunately, Gričevanje was unexpectedly displaced from Grič to Tuškanac. If I knew that before the competition ended, I'd have sent them another related story about local witches, who had literally been on fire only meters away from that spot in the past. 

It was initially planned for Gricevanje to be held, just like the year before, near the Gallery Klovicevi dvori, where currently there's a Picasso exhibition. Reason enough for the authorities to make a last minute decision that festival could in some way endanger the Picassos. I wonder what would the avantgarde mind of the famous painter think about that call...

Clash of the Titans Hosted by Atelier Mestrovic

Atelier Mestrovic

Two immortals meet again! 

Acquaintances in life, cultural ambassadors in eternity: the greatest Croatian sculptor Ivan Mestrovic welcomes his contemporary       master carver - Swedish sculptor Carl Milles and his exquisite art - to his home in Zagreb. And don't think I overdid it with all the praises, they  both deserve each and every compliment 'common people' can possibly think off:) 

Wonderful exhibition of Carl Milles's sculptures opened earlier today at the Atelier Mestrovic and it'll be on display for 2 months. Tomorrow at 4.30 PM there is even a unique opportunity to attend the lecture (in English) held by Millesgården expert Onita Wass. 

It is announced that Mestrovic art will  also travel all the way to the Swedish sculptor's home later this year in a return exhibition. From one sculptor's home to another one's, could there be a more genuine place for both shows, than the very places these artists used to live and create in? 

So, when you're standing in line to see the brilliant Picasso display everyone's buzzing about, know that only a couple of minutes walk separates you from what's probably an even more important cultural exchange event. Hopefully, it'll get the well deserved attendance and media coverage. Sculpted heritage left behind by Mestrovic is possibly this country's greatest modern treasure, and Carl Milles is of similar importance to his homeland. Personally, I can't wait to see the exhibition.

   

Boy With His Teddybear

I've been getting quite a few inquiries about the boy-with-teddybear statue. From why I decided to use it as my blog's header and Twitter avatar, to where exactly is it in Zagreb and what does it stand for. Well, before I finally try to give a decent answer to those questions, I have some news: I decided to ditch the boy:( 

He's going to stay here on the top of this blog for a while, but it's time for him to leave the twittersphere. Before you judge me for being so cruel to poor fellow, know that he was meant to be only a temporary solution in the first place. Still, it feels kind of hard to replace the little guy. 

I'm replacing it with the witchy Black Queen you're probably already familiar with from Secret Zagreb FB page , Google+ and other social networks. Reason? I think the boy statue is misleading. I wouldn't mind being considered genderless on Twitter, but with this boy everyone seems to assume that I'm a male, and that wasn't my intention. A man who likes little boys, to be precise:) Well, Black Queen is about to change that for starters. I'm also starting guided walking tours this season, exploring the mystical side of Zagreb, and is there  anything that could symbolize it better than the dark queen witch that resides in the woods above Zagreb:)

Sing Along with Philip

Photo: Crna kuća

If you’re having problem coping with stress at work, just do what I do: imagine that you’re in one hell of a musical comedy, and your boss didn’t raise his voice at you, he only performed a solo song, and boy, what a baritone he has! He did some tap dancing and a few spins to make his point, and all of your colleagues jumped simultaneously on their desks backing him up with some pretty daring hip twists.

I’m just trying to depict the amount of fun that musical comedies can bring into one’s life. But if you don’t find this intro amusing, then you probably won’t have much interest in what my guest has to sing (and say) either. From being addicted to Phantom of the Opera tape to learning how to sing Croatian evergreens, meet Philip Evan Cowlishaw, American on stage in Zagreb. He’s soon to be known as Zvonko, the hairdresser, for that’s his role in the upcoming spectacle Crna kuca (Black House).

Before you read what Philip has to sing... and say, make sure to check our previous interview with Igor Weidlich and Seth Weinstein, members of the Crna kuća creative team. And after you read this, you’ll have no other choice but to whistle your favourite tune from a musical. Few days from now, that tune might just come from Crna kuća comedy.

Black House - Musical in Color

Official poster of Crna kuca

Singing witches and dancing priests are bringing the forgotten days of the old Zagreb back to life through good laughs and catchy tunes. If that’s not reason enough to book your tickets and enjoy the original Croatian musical comedy Crna kuća – mjuzikl u boji (Black House – Musical in Color), I’m sure my guests today will convince you to do it anyway. 

We’re bringing you the interview with Seth Weinstein and Igor Weidlich, who have given us many clues of what to expect from the show, and unveiled some mysteries, including the meaning of the title. I was personally drawn to the very title, hoping it has something to do with the horrific building that had once stood near the Zagreb cathedral, its dark sight and howling owls keeping the passers-by on a safe distance. But fear not, this show is not meant to be scary. It’s meant to be… well, let’s leave it to the dramaturge Igor Weidlich: