The unforgettable atmosphere of the crowded streets of Varaždin is the right way to celebrate the end of summer!

So much has been written and said about Špancirfest, that autochthonous Varaždin event, that it is difficult to be original and add something that has not already been said.

Therefore, my review of the 26th in a row of “španciranje” in the streets and squares of Varaždin will be personal, in the way I experienced it because that is the only way this text and associated photos can be unique.

In any case, as an introduction to hours of walking on the city’s asphalt, I remind you that Špancirfest lasts ten days and is held at the end of August and that it is one of the largest and most famous events in Croatia.

Špancirfest 2024, Varaždin, Photo: Adria fun

Arriving in Varaždin in the early afternoon, I was first surprised that it was relatively easy to find a parking space in the very center of the city, it took me less than five minutes and one circle around the center. However, the streets were not empty, but the heat in the afternoon was still too high to create a crowd. I quickly decided to sit down in a bar and cool my thoughts with a drink.

“Don’t believe me tonight, I’ll offer you more at any moment, don’t believe me when the guitar is playing, and it’s raining from golden heights, it’s all from bad wine”... was heard somewhere nearby. I recognize Zoran Predin’s melodious voice and instantly think that a rehearsal is underway before his performance tonight. I quickly grab my camera, cross the nearby park in two or three minutes, and climb the fence of Villa Bedeković to take a good photo.

Špancirfest 2024, Varaždin, Zoran Predin, Photo: Adria fun

Predin had a performance there in the evening and it was indeed a rehearsal, I am contentedly meditating to myself as I go to the nearby park called Creative Park where I am greeted by a multitude of children participating in creative and imaginative workshops. Squeals and shouts everywhere, parents keep a watchful eye on what their children are doing while they have organized fun in the fresh air. I almost joined myself. 🙂 

I continue through the streets in the city center and I come to the art street, in fact, an open-air gallery of paintings and artists. It’s nice to see hundreds of paintings and their artists hanging their works on wooden easels and walls. I walk by and curiously observe the works, wondering if there is anything like it anywhere else on the planet.

Špancirfest 2024, Varaždin, Photo: Adria fun

In a side street, right next to this art gallery, I am greeted by music – a young band playing Nirvana hits. The program is called Hero Street, and it is about young and talented musicians and performers who are still waiting for the lights of the big stage. They sound really solid, and several young people next to me listen to the performance and nod their heads with satisfaction. I stayed for ten minutes and I can say that I felt really good. It also brought me back to my youth and DJ experiences.

Špancirfest 2024, Varaždin, Photo: Adria fun

On the streets of Varaždin, there are many stands with various goods that were offered for sale, from autochthonous products, such as woven baskets, to gramophone records and all the way to scented candles and cooling fans.  

Špancirfest 2024, Varaždin, Photo: Adria fun

The oldtimer club also exhibited its unique prop, next to which many wanted to take pictures, so I couldn’t get a photo in which this tin old man could be seen alone in the frame.

Špancirfest 2024, Varaždin, Photo: Adria fun

Right next to them, I come across another street musicians playing acoustic hits from the past.

Špancirfest 2024, Varaždin, Photo: Adria fun

As the night fell, Špancirfest began to take on a completely different dimension. The number of people walking the streets increased significantly, and the buildings got their new facades, the ones with light. Indeed, it looks great in person and these photos will hardly convey all its beauty.

In one of the squares, there was dancing under the open sky to the rhythm of Latin music, so it was great to see people having a great time, and the culmination came a little later when a great couple appeared on the small stage and ignited the audience with their fiery and passionate dance. So beautiful!

Špancirfest 2024, Varaždin, Photo: Adria fun

There was a fire in the performance of these performers who walked the streets with lighted torches and thus attracted the attention of walkers. They readily posed for my camera!

Špancirfest 2024, Varaždin, Photo: Adria fun

Near the Old Town, you could roller skate or drink cold wine in the Wine Town, which was filled almost to the last chair. The beautiful decor of the castle caught my eye, so I couldn’t resist taking another photo that will remain in my memory forever.

Špancirfest 2024, Varaždin, Photo: Adria fun

I was already a bit tired, so I checked on the mobile app how many steps I had taken until then. “Congratulations, you have fulfilled your today’s quota”, is written on my screen as I look at the figure of 14,500 steps with satisfaction and continue to my last stop – the Psihomodo pop concert, which also symbolically closed this year’s Špancirfest.

Špancirfest 2024, Varaždin, Psihomodo pop, Photo: Adria fun

Full of impressions, I then headed home, and I want you to walk around Varaždin next year at the end of August! You won’t regret it!

Špancirfest 2024, Varaždin, Photo: Adria fun

This publication was co-financed by the Fund for the Promotion of Pluralism and Diversity of Electronic Media.