Ireland as partner country of the 52nd annual Varaždin Baroque Evenings
News
10 October 2022Ireland was the partner country for this year’s 52nd annual Varaždin Baroque Evenings Festival from 21 September to 9 October, with the Embassy working closely with the organisers on the Irish involvement and Culture Ireland supporting the involvement of a number of Irish ensembles. The event was opened with a concert from the Irish Baroque Orchestra, which was shown live on Croatian television, as well as being attended by an audience of 420, including the Croatian Minister of Culture, Nina Obuljen Koržinek, Ambassador Dowling and various figures from Croatian cultural and political life. A group from Comhaltas later serenaded the guests before a fireworks display and reception were held.
Over the course of the festival there were further well attended Irish concerts by the Ensemble Dagda, Irish Youth Orchestra and Camerata Kilkenny, the latter two receiving awards for their performance from the festival organisers. The organisers also organised a large ‘Irish corner’ outdoor stage, where most evenings there were Irish traditional (Comhaltas) and rock performances as well as Irish food, prepared by Irish chefs. Ireland’s involvement was highlighted in dozens of media articles, social media posts, TV reports, and radio.