The royal city of Nin, the cradle of Croatian statehood, has welcomed the arrival of summer in a unique and now traditional way. The seventeenth edition of the Festival of the Sun and Light, organized by the Nin Tourist Board, once again gathered numerous visitors and lovers of history, astronomy, and art, confirming Nin's status as a place where ancient knowledge and modern tourist offerings are intertwined in a special way. The event was held on the summer solstice, June 21st, the day when the Sun reaches its highest point in the sky, and the day is the longest of the year.

The ceremony began truly magically, in the early morning hours. Exactly at 4 hours, 42 minutes, and 17 seconds, the summer solstice occurred, the moment that marks the astronomical beginning of summer. Shortly thereafter, at 5 hours, 39 minutes, and 44 seconds, the first ray of the summer Sun appeared from behind the mighty Velebit mountain and illuminated the sleeping Nin with its golden cloak. It was a sight to remember, which visitors greeted with the soothing sounds of the "Unforgettable Dawn in Nin" concert. The superb soprano Nela Šarić, accompanied by Željko Marinković, filled the silence with her voice and created an unrepeatable atmosphere of respect for nature and the new cycle that is beginning.

Church of the Holy Cross: An Ancient Clock and Calendar in the Heart of the Festival

The central point and spiritual heart of the entire festival is inevitably the Church of the Holy Cross, an architectural gem from the 9th century. This building, which the English architect Thomas Graham Jackson admiringly called "the smallest cathedral in the world," is much more than a sacred object. It is a testament to the genius and deep astronomical knowledge of our ancestors. Its seemingly simple exterior hides a precise mechanism – the function of a solar calendar and clock. The position of its windows and the slight deviation from the regular axes of construction are not a coincidence, but a carefully calculated design that allows tracking the play of light and shadow during key astronomical dates such as solstices and equinoxes.

It is precisely this interaction of the Sun and architecture that gives the Festival a deeper meaning. During the "Solar Noon," visitors had the opportunity to observe how the sun's rays penetrate the interior of the church at a special angle, creating light effects that can only be seen at this time of year. It is an experience that connects the modern era with the time of Croatian dukes and kings, when this church, it is assumed, served as the court chapel of the nearby ducal court. Its durability, given that it is the only sacred object in Nin that has remained almost untouched since its foundation, makes it a living monument and an inexhaustible source of inspiration.

A Rich Program in Honor of the Sun, Music, and History

Since the summer solstice coincides with World Music Day, the Nin festival also celebrates music as a universal language that, like light, enriches and fulfills human lives. After the morning concert, the program continued with a creative art workshop. This year, the theme was closely related to glorious Croatian history, and the youngest participants had the task of making the crown of King Tomislav. Their skilled hands, with the help of volunteers and mentors, created replicas of the symbol of the Croatian kingdom, thus learning in a fun way about an important part of the national past, and for many, a stay in Nin is an opportunity to find ideal family accommodation.

To bring the rich history of Nin closer to visitors in the most attractive way possible, a costumed city tour was also organized. The role of the guide was taken over by the character of the poet Petar Zoranić of Nin, a great of Croatian Renaissance literature who, in his work "Planine," was the first to record the legend of the founding of Nin. A walk through the ancient streets, with stories about Dukes Višeslav and Branimir, the kings and bishops who resided here, was a perfect introduction to the evening part of the program. This experience of revived history is one of the reasons why guests gladly explore Nin and look for accommodation in the very heart of the historic city.

Scientific Contribution to the Celebration of the 1100th Anniversary of the Kingdom

The culmination of the educational part of the festival was the lecture by professor emeritus Dr. sc. Damir Magaš titled "The Nin Area in the Age of King Tomislav." Held in Višeslav Square, the lecture attracted great attention and represented a significant contribution to the celebration of the great 1100th anniversary of the Croatian Kingdom. Professor Magaš, an excellent connoisseur of historical geography, brought the importance and role of Nin in the turbulent 10th century closer to the audience, at a time when Croatia, under the rule of King Tomislav, rose as a respectable power on the map of Europe at that time. This lecture once again confirmed the unbreakable bond of Nin with the foundations of the Croatian state and culture.

The entire event was organized with the support of the Ministry of Tourism and Sport, Zadar County, and the Zadar County Tourist Board. Many collaborators also contributed to its successful realization, including the Archaeological Museum Zadar with its associated Museum of Nin Antiquities, the "Petar Zoranić" Elementary School from Nin, and the "Morska vila" Kindergarten. Special thanks were extended to the Master of Science and curator of the Nin museum, Mrs. Majda Dadić, whose expertise and enthusiasm have enriched the concept of the Festival of the Sun and Light from the very beginning. Her dedication to the preservation and presentation of Nin's heritage is key to the success of such events that position Nin as a top cultural destination. This reputation attracts visitors from all over the world, who come here not only for the beaches and nature, but also for the unique experience of history, which is why it is important to secure accommodation in Nin and its surroundings in time.

Through a combination of science, art, and deep respect for heritage, Nin has once again shown how life, nature, and history can be celebrated in the best possible way. The organizers' message, "Let there be light! And let there be joy!", echoed through the ancient city, heralding a long, warm, and eventful summer in one of the most beautiful corners of the Adriatic.