A tradition that has lasted for almost a quarter of a century is reviving the ancient Frankopan castles once again, merging Grobnik and Omišalj into a unique open-air theatre stage. Theatre art lovers will get their share of delight this year as well, thanks to the 24th edition of the Čavle-Omišalj Theatre Festival, which takes place from June 20 to 26, 2025. This cultural event, the result of many years of successful cooperation between two local self-government units, the Municipality of Čavle and the Municipality of Omišalj, brings the audience six carefully selected plays from renowned theatre houses and excellent actors. What makes this festival exceptional and a true rarity on the Croatian cultural scene is the fact that admission to all performances is completely free, thus bringing theatre closer to the widest possible audience.

The performances will, as before, be held alternately in two beautiful, history-rich locations – in the magnificent space of the Grobnik Castle and on the picturesque Prikešte Square in Omišalj. In case of unfavorable weather conditions, alternative locations have been secured: the Čavle House of Culture and the Community Hall in Omišalj, thus guaranteeing that the audience will not be deprived of the planned program. If you are planning a visit, you might also be interested in the offer for accommodation in Omišalj or accommodation in Grobnik.

A Unique Collaboration of the Frankopan Castles

The Mayor of the Municipality of Čavle, Ivana Cvitan Polić, highlighted the uniqueness of this festival, which symbolizes the successful cooperation between two municipalities, former Frankopan castles, that share a rich cultural heritage and tradition. The Mayor of the Municipality of Omišalj, Mirela Ahmetović, agreed with her, emphasizing that a continuity of 24 years of a free program is truly a rarity and an indicator of how much both municipalities value culture and want to make it accessible to everyone. The festival is financed by the Municipalities of Čavle and Omišalj, with the key support of their tourist boards, and the program selection is once again the responsibility of Denis Redić, the festival's program director. The grand opening of the 24th edition of the festival will be held on Friday, June 20, on Prikešte Square in Omišalj, while the closing and awards ceremony will take place a week later, on June 26, in the impressive ambiance of the Grobnik City Castle.

The festival also has a competitive character, giving a voice to the audience who choose the best play of their choice via ballots. In addition, an expert jury, which this year consists of Višnja Višnjić Karković, Bogdana Čiča, and Robert Zaharija, will decide on the best leading male and female roles, the best directorial achievement, and the best play as a whole, which further valorizes the artistic reach of the presented works.

An Overture for the Youngest: Theatrical Joy for Children

As a nice introduction to the festival itself, and at the initiative of the organizers, two plays intended for the youngest audience will also be held. The aim is to bring theatre art closer to children and to sensitize them to the tradition of holding the festival in their region. On Thursday, June 12, the Mala scena theatre from Zagreb will visit the Community Hall in Omišalj with the play "A So-So Story". A day later, on Friday, June 13, the same production company will perform the well-known classic "The Princess and the Pea" at the Čavle House of Culture, a play that has become a cult classic and which actors Vitomira and Ivica have performed thousands of times around the world.

A Rich and Varied Program for All Tastes

The official festival program begins on Friday, June 20, at 9 p.m. on Prikešte Square in Omišalj. The honor of opening the festival has been given to the multi-award-winning PlayDrama theatre from Split with the play "Dalmatian Cuisine". The text and direction are by Hrvoje Korbar, and the cast includes Vanda Boban Jurišić and Zdravko Vukelić. The play uses the kitchen table as the first stage of life, where a carefully prepared meal becomes a metaphor for identity, relationships, and life choices. "Dalmatian Cuisine" is an emotional story about unspoken truths and how we are willing to play life with the cards we are dealt.

The very next day, on Saturday, June 21, the program moves to the Grobnik City Castle where at 9 p.m. Teatar Rugantino will be a guest with the play "An Accidental Encounter in a Sex Shop". This is an adaptation of the famous dramatic text by the Austrian writer Peter Turrini, which has had numerous European performances and a film adaptation. Directed by Saša Broz, Ivana Boban and Davor Svedružić present the confessions of two alienated individuals, their frustrations, fantasies, and hidden desires, raising the question of the possibility of sincere relationships in today's world. The play promises laughter, but also moments that will encourage the audience to think deeply.

Monday, June 23, is reserved for a visit to Omišalj and the play "The State Looter", a legendary production by Studio teatra from Zenica. The text by Fadil Hadžić, written way back in 1977, is still incredibly relevant today. This hilarious comedy about two prisoners, one a petty fraudster and the other, a "state looter" with a privileged status, and their simple-minded guard, has been performed more than 400 times and has made over 150,000 viewers laugh throughout the region. The play stars Nusmir Muharemović, Irfan Kasumović, and Mirza Mušija.

On Tuesday, June 24, the great actor Zijah A. Sokolović arrives at the Grobnik City Castle with his celebrated monodrama "Left-Right Actor". In this play, which is also a kind of philosophical lecture and cabaret, Sokolović wittily and perceptively draws parallels between theatre and real life. Starting from Aristotle's thesis that theatre consists of time, space, and action, he shows how these are also the elements of our lives, in which we all play our roles. Sokolović teaches the audience how to become conscious "actors" in their own theatre and artists in their own life, and with this play, he also marks 50 years of his artistic work.

Wednesday, June 25, brings a new treat to Prikešte Square in Omišalj. It is the play "Iva and Gloria", an original project by the popular TikTokers Glorija Dubelj and Iva Šimić Šakoronja, directed by Jan Kerekeš. Iva and Gloria are friends, mothers, and cleaners with an unfulfilled dream of becoming actresses. Working in a theatre, even if it's with a broom in hand, gives them the opportunity to feel the stage lights and, through a humorous approach, to face their own problems and harsh reality. The play has already won the hearts of audiences throughout Croatia, and twenty performances were sold out even before the premiere.

The festival will be ceremoniously closed on Thursday, June 26, at the Grobnik City Castle with a performance of the comedy "Free is the Most Expensive" by B-Glad produkcija. Faris Pinjo and Konstantin Haag, who wrote and directed the text based on the motifs of the farce "The Craftsman" by Vanča Kljaković, play the main roles. The play deals with the theme of exploitation and blackmail through services that seem to be "free". A young writer in a creative and life block meets a jack-of-all-trades who offers him help, but this help, of course, has its price. The audience can expect a tense and dynamic comedy full of laughter and unexpected twists. All performances begin at 9 p.m., and the organizers note that ticket reservations are not possible and advise the audience to arrive early to take their seats and enjoy another unforgettable summer of theatre under the stars. Consider accommodation in Grobnik to fully experience the festival.