Among the many people witnessing this grand event were also the president of Croatia Ivo Josipović, chairman of the parliament Luka Bebić and president of Montenegro Filip Vujanović.
By way of tradition the Festival has been pronounced open by the town mayor Andro Vlahušić who has, amongst other things, reminded of Dubrovnik’s rich cultural history. He also emphasized the fat that because of that background, Dubrovnik is the right place for the creation and perfection of many works of art and that the great men who have grown within its walls have greatly appreciated the place they lived in that allowed them to develop their talents freely. The mayor also stressed that yet again we are at a turning point where it is imperative that any barriers that impede our development must be put aside.
The screenplay and direction of this year’s opening ceremony, which unwound under the catchphrase “All of us came from under Gogol’s raincoat“ was directed by Dora Ruždjak, with Frano Đurović as head author for music and costumes in the care of Danica Dedijer. Maestro Ivan Repušić has excelled at directing both the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra and the Zagreb Philharmonic along with three Croatian choirs. Students of the Academy of Drama Arts have also participated with the Festival’s drama ensemble.
The Dubrovnik Summer Festival lasts until the 25th of August by way of tradition, and will gather more than 2000 artists from all around the world, and in the 47 festival days at almost a dozen locations will over 80 drama, dance, musical, art and opera events be shown.
The finale of the opening ceremony ended literally with a bang, as the traditional fireworks brightened up the sky with a rainbow of colors, and as the bangs resounded against the mighty walls of Dubrovnik, started “Dubrovnik’s night”, which attracted many residents and their guests and gave them the opportunity to relax and enjoy.