The island of Cres this week becomes the epicenter of cultural, traditional, and entertainment events, offering visitors and residents a rich and diverse program that celebrates heritage, music, and the indigenous way of life. The highlight of the week will undoubtedly be marked by two major events that merge the seemingly unmergeable: world-renowned classical music in ancient Lubenice and an authentic folk festival dedicated to sheep farming in Orlec. These two events, scheduled for Friday and Saturday, represent the crown of a week filled with smaller, but equally interesting, events that will bring every corner of this beautiful island to life.

A blend of tradition, music, and local flavors

Starting from Tuesday, July 8, the streets of the town of Cres exude a particularly lively atmosphere. Lovers of local products have the opportunity every Tuesday and Friday to visit "The Cres Shop", a charming exhibition and sales fair of local products on the main town square, Trg Frane Petrića. Here you can find excellent cheeses, olive oil, sage honey, traditional cakes, and unique souvenirs, allowing visitors to take home the authentic tastes and scents of the island. On the same day, for all those eager to learn about the city's rich history, a free costumed guided tour in English, "Cres City Tours for Everyone", is organized, starting at the City Loggia. The evening in Cres will be beautified by young talents, students of the El Musicante music school from Zagreb, with their concert on Trg Frane Petrića.

Wednesday is reserved for creativity and the preservation of old crafts. In the premises of the Ruta association in Cres, the cycle of wool felting workshops continues under the charming name "Sheep's Antics". This commendable initiative revives the almost forgotten skill of processing wool from the Cres sheep, turning it into unique artistic and functional items. The workshops are intended for both children and adults, giving them the opportunity to try their hand at this traditional technique. At the same time, the romantic atmosphere of the small fishing village of Valun will be the backdrop for a concert by Romana Orešnik as part of the Valun Summer Nights series, promising an evening filled with pleasant melodies accompanied by the sound of the sea.

Music travels the island: A premiere under the starry sky

This year's novelty in the island's cultural offer is the concert series "Music Under the Stars", designed to bring music to smaller, idyllic places throughout the island, creating a unique experience under the open sky. The premiere concert of this series will take place on Thursday, July 10, in picturesque Beli, at the Pricrikvah location. Starting at 9 PM, visitors will be able to enjoy a performance by the band Versi, whose music, merged with the ambiance of the ancient settlement and the starry sky, will surely create unforgettable memories. This project aims to revive the hidden gems of the island and provide cultural content outside the main tourist centers.

The highlight of the week: A fusion of classical avant-garde and an authentic festival

The upcoming weekend brings two diametrically opposed, yet equally attractive events that perfectly reflect the duality of the soul of the island of Cres – its deep cultural sophistication and its unbreakable bond with nature and tradition.

On Friday, July 11, starting at 9 PM, the 36th edition of the Lubenice Music Evenings will be officially opened. In the incredible ambiance of the ancient town of Lubenice, situated atop a cliff with a breathtaking view, the raising of the festival flag will mark the beginning of another season of this prestigious classical music festival. The honor of opening the 36th edition has been given to the Sudar Percussion ensemble, known as a percussion sensation that pushes the boundaries of musical expression. Their innovative program, titled "Kola and Piazzola", promises a unique musical journey, blending the fiery rhythms of the traditional Balkan kolo with the melancholic passion of Astor Piazzolla's Argentine tango. This fusion of tradition and avant-garde in the millennial setting of Lubenice will surely be an experience to remember.

A day later, on Saturday, July 12, the focus moves to the heart of the island, to the village of Orlec, where the 17th edition of the popular "Cres Sheep" festival is held. This event celebrates the foundation of the island's identity and economy – sheep farming. The program begins at 7 PM with an attractive sheep shearing competition, where shepherds will compete in speed and skill, demonstrating a technique passed down through generations. In addition, there will be a competition for the most beautiful collection of sheep and the best ram, a sort of exhibition of the pride of local breeders. The entire event will be imbued with the aromas of top-quality gastro delicacies, primarily lamb prepared in various traditional ways. The rich musical program will be provided by the Orlec Folklore Society, which preserves indigenous dances and songs, and the band Macaklini, with the legendary group Crvena jabuka as the stars of the evening, guaranteeing dancing and fun late into the night.

Activities and cultural discoveries across the island

The week concludes with dance rhythms and klapa singing. On Sunday, July 13, at the Kovačine camp, the series of free dance workshops Summer Dance School by Elio Bašan continues, intended for all ages and levels of dance knowledge. As early as Monday, July 14, a concert as part of the Klapa Evenings of the Island of Cres will be held in front of the Cres Museum, featuring a performance by the klapa Burin, bringing the sounds of traditional Dalmatian song, protected as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

For those eager for a deeper dive into the rich history and natural beauty, the island of Cres also offers a range of fascinating exhibitions and museum displays. In the very heart of the town of Cres, the newly opened Interpretation Center "Creski kaić" is a must-see, telling the story of maritime heritage and the tradition of wooden shipbuilding in an interactive way. The Cres Museum, in the Gothic-Renaissance Arsan Palace, offers insight into the past through the exhibitions "Heraldic Cres", "Three Stories of the Arsan Palace", and "Cres Cuisine". In the magnificent Moise Palace, a science and education center, you can see the exhibition "One Perfectly Ordinary, Cres, Summer Day" by photographer Josip Pope. In Martinšćica, it is worth visiting the Andrija Linardić Museum with its display on the pioneers of distilling essential oil from immortelle. In Beli, the Visitor Center offers a multimedia display about the impressive griffon vultures, the trademark of the island. Finally, the story of sheep farming is completed by the Museum of Sheep Farming in Lubenice, which details the history and importance of this activity for life on the island.