HNK Zagreb and Spain's Festival Perelada Forge New Mediterranean Theater Partnership

The Croatian National Theatre (HNK) in Zagreb and the prestigious Festival Perelada in Spain are embarking on a significant new artistic collaboration. This partnership is set to create a cultural bridge between Zagreb and Catalonia, facilitating a rich exchange of programs and performances.

During the 40th Festival Perelada, a working meeting took place between Dr. Iva Hraste Sočo, Director of HNK Zagreb, and Oriol Aguilà, Artistic Director of Festival Perelada. They, along with their teams, defined the initial framework for this multi-year cooperation. A central element of their future exchange will be the international Zagreb Opera Festival, alongside a reciprocal guest appearance by HNK Zagreb at the Festival Perelada.

Plans for this collaboration were unveiled to media representatives at Peralada during the closing ceremony of the festival's 40th edition. HNK Zagreb and the Zagreb Opera Festival were introduced to journalists and editors from prominent Spanish cultural, opera, and classical music publications, as well as the international opera outlet Pro Ópera México. Director Hraste-Sočo emphasized the development of the Zagreb Opera Festival as an international platform connecting Zagreb with leading European opera houses, festivals, and artists.

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The Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb has been strongly developing its international cooperation since 2022, building long-term partnerships with leading European theaters and festivals. The partnership with Festival Perelada, precisely in its 40th anniversary year, holds special significance for us as it connects two strong cultural environments and opens space for long-term exchange of artists, productions, and theatrical ideas. Croatia belongs to the Mediterranean cultural space, and I believe that HNK in Zagreb can be one of the leaders in its stronger artistic connection. Our ambition is simultaneously to bring the best of European art to the Zagreb audience and to position Croatian artists and our productions on international stages.

"The Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb has been strongly developing its international cooperation since 2022, building long-term partnerships with leading European theaters and festivals," said Hraste-Sočo. "The partnership with Festival Perelada, precisely in its 40th anniversary year, holds special significance for us as it connects two strong cultural environments and opens space for long-term exchange of artists, productions, and theatrical ideas. Croatia belongs to the Mediterranean cultural space, and I believe that HNK in Zagreb can be one of the leaders in its stronger artistic connection. Our ambition is simultaneously to bring the best of European art to the Zagreb audience and to position Croatian artists and our productions on international stages."

Festival Perelada Director Oriol Aguilà highlighted the importance of connecting institutions that share a similar vision for international cultural cooperation. "The 40th edition of Festival Perelada is not just an opportunity to reflect on the festival's rich history, but above all to think about its future," Aguilà stated. "Cooperation with the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb and the Zagreb Opera Festival opens a new chapter in connecting our artistic environments. We share a Mediterranean identity, but above all, a conviction that the future of performing arts is built through international cooperation, exchange, and joint creation. We look forward to coming to Zagreb and the opportunity to then host artists from HNK Zagreb in Peralada."

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The 40th edition of Festival Perelada is not just an opportunity to reflect on the festival's rich history, but above all to think about its future. Cooperation with the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb and the Zagreb Opera Festival opens a new chapter in connecting our artistic environments. We share a Mediterranean identity, but above all, a conviction that the future of performing arts is built through international cooperation, exchange, and joint creation. We look forward to coming to Zagreb and the opportunity to then host artists from HNK Zagreb in Peralada.