28. PagArtFestival održava se od 1. do 17. kolovoza, evo programa

The 28th edition of the PagArtFestival will take place from August 1 to August 17, featuring a series of classical music performances and artistic exhibitions. The festival, known for its serious approach to art and music, continues with its established concept of presenting serious music in serious performances for a discerning audience. This year's lineup includes concerts by pianist Lovro Pogorelić, cellist Jeremias Fliedl from Austria, vocal ensemble Antiphonus, organist Tea Kulaš, violinist Eva Mach, harmonica player Martina Jembrišak, and guitarist Paula Ćurić. Additionally, there will be an exhibition of photographs titled Portraits at a Festival by Elvis Šmit, along with a dramatic monologue Žlica Steinberg performed by Ana Pogorelić. The festival opens with a concert by pianist Lovro Pogorelić, the founder of the event, who will perform in the beautiful assembly church of Mary’s Ascension in Pag on August 1. His repertoire includes sonatas by Mozart, Beethoven, and Liszt. On August 3, the ŽabaTeatar from Zagreb will present the dramatic monologue Žlica Steinberg, based on the work of British author Lee Hall, in the historic Old Town of Pag or, in case of rain, at Kneževi Dvor. Following this, on August 6, a unique duo performance will feature violinist Eva Mach and harmonica player Martina Jembrišak in the magazine Solana Pag. Their set will include works by Ravel, Kreisler, and Bobić. A notable open-air concert will take place aboard the tourist ship Festina, offering sea views alongside musical performances. Cellist Jeremias Fliedl will perform on August 9 or August 10 if weather conditions require a change of venue. His repertoire includes pieces by Henze, Bach, and Kodály. On August 12, guitarist Paula Ćurić will perform in the Church of Saint Mary in the Old Town of Pag. This year, she is highlighted as one of the selected young musicians by the festival. Her program features compositions by Bach, López-Chavarrija, Barrios, Šipuš, and Aguada. The final concert will return to the assembly church of Mary’s Ascension on August 17, where the audience will enjoy the singing of the Antiphonus ensemble accompanied by Tea Kulaš’s organ playing. The repertoire includes works by Bach, Allegri, Vidaković, Párta, Cage, and Vasks. The festival program also includes an exhibition of photographs by Elvis Šmit, a long-time chronicler of the PagArtFestival. Entitled Portraits at a Festival, the exhibition will open on August 6 in the Church of Saint George. Alongside Šmit’s portraits, the festival also features hand-drawn portraits of performers created by Paškinja Lucija Maržić, a graduate of the Rijeka Academy of Applied Arts. The festival promotes sustainability in the arts, evident in its focus on young and local performers in this year’s program. The festival is supported by financial backing from the City of Pag, the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia, the Tourist Boards of the City of Pag and Zadar County, as well as the Zadar County itself. Additional support comes from the Austrian Cultural Forum and the Jadran-Galen Laboratory in Rijeka, along with contributions from dedicated donors and hospitality from the Parish Office of Pag. The event also benefits from the invaluable assistance of numerous friends and supporters. Lovro Pogorelić, the artistic director of the PagArtFestival, cited Pablo Picasso during the festival announcement, saying, “Art shakes the dust of everyday life from the soul.”