On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Zagreb’s hotel icon, the Zagreb Festival of Light was officially opened last night with a glamorous light installation on the facade of the Esplanade Hotel called Circle of Light.
Sensational 3D renderings created in collaboration between top Croatian and German artists under the leadership of the Zagreb Tourist Board on the historic architecture of the Esplanade have revived the elegance and glamour of times gone by and evoked the fascinating history of the hotel, which was built for passengers of the legendary Orient Express, which opened on April 22, 1925.
“The Festival of Lights has grown into one of Zagreb’s most attractive events and tourist attractions, so I am immensely proud and indescribably grateful to the Zagreb Tourist Board and the City of Zagreb, who have recognized the importance of the Esplanade Hotel as one of the symbols of the city and a significant center of the city’s social life. I am pleased that this year, on the occasion of the anniversary, they have included the hotel in the Festival program in the most beautiful way possible – by illuminating the Esplanade’s iconic facade. I hereby invite the people of Zagreb and all visitors to walk past the hotel over the next few days and embark on a magical journey through time, from the golden age of the Orient Express and the Belle Époque to glamorous parties, and experience a stunning light projection that combines history and innovation into one,” said Ivica Max Krizmanić, General Manager of the Esplanade Hotel.
The Zagreb Light Festival, which Forbes magazine has listed among the 10 must-see festivals in Europe in 2025, was officially opened last night on Ante Starčević Square in front of numerous visitors by the Minister of Tourism and Sports Tonči Glavina, the Mayor of Zagreb Tomislav Tomašević and the Director of the Zagreb Tourist Board Martina Bienenfeld.
The Zagreb Light Festival, which traditionally symbolically welcomes the arrival of spring, will be held until Sunday, March 23, 2025, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. During the five-day festival, the city will shine in full glory, and visitors will be able to enjoy a variety of light installations, art projections and 3D mapping at as many as 25 locations.
