Parks, green oases woven into the very heart of urban areas, represent much more than mere aesthetic backdrops; they are the lifeblood of city life, places for meeting, recreation, and deep connection with nature. The city of Karlovac, widely known for its unique four-river symphony and rich park heritage, proudly nurtures this crucial part of its identity. It is in this spirit, and as part of the broader event "Spring in Karlovac" and in anticipation of the upcoming European Day of Parks, that the Karlovac Tourist Board, with its valuable partners, is organizing an event that will bring the city's parks to life in a special way.

Next Saturday, May 10, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the central city promenade Promenada, the historic Šanac, and the very entrance to the picturesque Radićeva Street will transform into a dynamic stage filled with laughter, creativity, and activities for all generations. This "Day in the Park" is designed to provide the citizens of Karlovac and all its visitors with an unforgettable morning, celebrating the beauty and importance of the green spaces that define this city on four rivers. Karlovac's parks, originally conceived as spaces for socializing, relaxation, and enjoying nature, still represent a unique aesthetic experience that captivates attention and enriches everyday life.

Sports and Recreational Joys in Šanac

One of the central points of Saturday's events will be Karlovac's Šanac, a historic rampart that today serves as a popular gathering place and recreational zone. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., everyone eager for active fun will be able to try their hand at a series of entertaining recreational games. Visitors can look forward to knocking down pins, a game of badminton in a relaxed atmosphere, as well as a specially arranged hammock and camping park for the youngest, where children can experience the charms of being in nature in a safe and fun way. For those with a competitive spirit, there will be archery, basketball for team play, the traditional tug-of-war which always guarantees laughter and good fun, and volleyball. There will also be a ring toss game, which tests precision, as well as the exciting "minefield" game that requires cooperation and attention. In addition, visitors will be able to enjoy numerous other social games, designed to encourage interaction and togetherness in the beautiful ambiance of Karlovac's park.

Musical Backdrop for a Perfect Day

To make the atmosphere complete, the Music Pavilion on Promenada will become a source of pleasant melodies. The program begins at 10 a.m. with a performance by the band "Glazba spaja", who will surely get the audience dancing and cheering with their repertoire. A real musical surprise will follow at 11:30 a.m., when Sudar & Brass will play for the first time in Karlovac. This unique musical ensemble, known for its energetic fusion of the rhythmic power of percussion with the mighty sound of brass instruments, promises a spectacular performance. The project brings together members of the renowned Sudar Percussion ensemble and excellent academic brass players from Croatia, and their half-hour program will be filled with covers of the most famous world pop, rock, R&B, and rap hits, as well as popular domestic songs, providing the audience with an unforgettable musical experience.

Discovering the Past Through Riječka vrata

For history lovers and those who want to get to know the city of Karlovac better, a special free themed tourist tour called "Through Riječka vrata to the Rich Past of Karlovac" is organized at 11 a.m. The starting point of this interesting walk will be at the famous Katzler Pavilion. The tour will focus on the interpretation of the recently renovated pavement of Radićeva Street, revealing the layers of history woven into this important city artery. Recent archaeological research during the renovation of Radićeva Street has brought to light the remains of former city gates and a bridge, dating back to the 19th century, with the possibility of even older structures, providing a fascinating insight into the urban evolution of Karlovac.

Educational and Creative Corners for All Ages

This year's "Day in the Park" will also be enriched by the participation of numerous Karlovac institutions, offering diverse educational and creative content.

Aquatika and the Magic of the Four Rivers

The public institution Aquatika – Freshwater Aquarium Karlovac, located not far from the event itself, will join the program with a workshop "Four Rivers, One Heart". The workshop will be held in Radićeva Street, next to the Katzler Pavilion, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This interactive program is designed to encourage children's creativity, develop ecological awareness, and deepen the understanding of the unbreakable bond between Karlovac's rivers – Korana, Kupa, Mrežnica, and Dobra – and the city itself. The workshop begins with an introductory story where facilitators will introduce children to interesting facts about the specifics of each river. This will be followed by reading picture books thematically related to the rivers, after which children will have the opportunity to discuss their knowledge and experiences related to water, its importance, and the ways the city uses its river resources. The second, creative part of the workshop called "Rivers Tell Stories", will allow young participants to depict each river and its unique story – flora and fauna, people living by it, and the bridges that span it – through a collective drawing. Each child will be encouraged to imagine what it is like to be a river and to express their vision through a drawing or a short story. Special emphasis will be placed on developing ideas for river protection, such as reducing waste and promoting ecological actions. As the culmination of the workshop, children will create "Ecological Messages from the Rivers" – imaginative posters or drawings with messages intended for citizens about the importance of preserving water purity. The goal is for children, through play and artistic expression, to become little ambassadors for the protection of nature and the cultural heritage of their city of Karlovac.

Reading Picnic for the Youngest

The "Ivan Goran Kovačić" Karlovac City Library, in cooperation with the Karlovac Health Center's Patronage Service, is organizing a charming "Reading Picnic". This event will take place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the natural surroundings of Šanac, in the area below Promenada, behind the Katzler Pavilion. The target group is babies and young children, from birth to five years of age, with mandatory parental presence. In anticipation of the International Day of Families, which is celebrated on May 15, this picnic aims to promote the importance of family togetherness and reading from an early age. Parents are invited to bring their picnic blankets and settle comfortably on the lawn, enjoying the stories read to them by librarians. To better convey the content and moral of the stories to the youngest, glove puppets will also be used. This "Reading Picnic" is not only an opportunity to enjoy the spring sun and fill up on "vitamin D", but also to feed the mind with "vitamin R" – reading. Organizers want to encourage parents and other adults to start reading aloud to a child from birth, as such practice creates a special emotional bond, enriches the child's vocabulary, stimulates imagination, and develops concentration and critical thinking. Patronage nurses will be present to provide useful information and advice on various challenges of child development through informal conversations with parents.

Museum Magic in Radićeva

The Karlovac City Museums have also prepared an attractive program called "Museum in Radićeva", which will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Radićeva Street, next to the Katzler Pavilion. This program offers a unique experience for all visitors. Particularly interesting will be an insect preparation workshop, where participants will have the opportunity to peek into the fascinating world of entomology and learn basic preparation techniques. This activity is directly related to the exhibition "In the Eye of the Beholder", which is set up at the Old Town of Dubovac and for the first time presents items from the rich Entomological Collection of the Karlovac City Museums, established in 2018. For all photography lovers, a suitable promotional photo corner will be set up, inspired by the aforementioned exhibition, inviting visitors to discover the beauty and details of nature from an unexpected perspective. In addition, the Karlovac City Museums are preparing numerous other surprises that will enrich the experience and arouse the curiosity of visitors of all ages.

Art in the Open and Flea Market

On the same day, Saturday in Karlovac will be filled with other interesting events. In front of the historic Edison Cinema building, the popular Flea Market will be held, an ideal opportunity for anyone looking for unique items, antiques, or simply wanting to enjoy the atmosphere of a lively open-air market.

Fine art lovers will be delighted thanks to the Association of Fine Artists of Karlovac (ULAK), which is organizing a one-day open-air art colony. This event, which lasts from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., also includes a workshop for the youngest and all interested citizens. The gathering of artists and registration for participation in the colony are scheduled until 9 a.m. in front of the ULAK gallery, at Domobranska 1a. After distributing materials and preparing the workspace (9:00 – 9:30 a.m.), artists will create their works from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., inspired by the beauty of Karlovac's parks or other locations in the old part of the city of Karlovac, according to their own choice. This is an exceptional opportunity for citizens to socialize with artists, observe the creative process, and perhaps even try their hand at painting with their support. The highlight of the art colony will be an exhibition of the created works, which will be held from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in front of the ULAK gallery, along with socializing between artists and citizens. The closing of the colony is planned for 4:00 p.m. It is important to note that in case of bad weather, the art colony will be postponed.

This rich and diverse program of "Day in the Park" once again confirms Karlovac's status as a city that lives with its parks and rivers, offering its residents and guests plenty of opportunities for quality time, learning, and fun. The European Day of Parks, celebrated on May 24, reminds us of the importance of preserving the natural and cultural values of protected areas across Europe, and Karlovac actively contributes to this awareness through its activities, celebrating its green jewels.