Zagreb's Upper Town Comes Alive with 'Čvenk' Summer Festival

Zagreb's historic Upper Town is buzzing with the "Čvenk" summer festival, an event designed to bring life to its charming gardens, atriums, and promenades. Running until July 26, the festival transforms the area into a vibrant hub of creativity and music, offering a relaxed summer gathering for locals and visitors alike.

The festival's core idea, according to organizer Slavica Olujić Klapčić, is to reveal the hidden corners of Gornji Grad while providing a space for spontaneous social interaction. "Čvenk brings a very rich program," she explained. "The idea is that visitors don't have to plan anything special. It's enough to walk through Gornji Grad, which is beautiful in itself, and discover art, music, and various festival events at every step."

Events are spread across eight locations. The Atrium of the Učenički dom Marije Jambrišak hosts game nights and pub quizzes, with popular choices like Catan and Monopoly. Nearby, the garden of the Croatian Institute of History offers a more relaxed atmosphere with acoustic music and DJ sets, while Vrazovo šetalište provides romantic views. The Jelačić Palace in Demetrova Street combines music and gastronomy, featuring street food from Kužina and Shank, run by chefs Filip and Luka Putak. Popular dishes include potato balls with chicken strips and Asian Gyoza, complemented by a selection of beers and cocktails.

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Imamo tri vrste Gyoza, s piletinom, svinjetinom i, naravno, vegetarijansku verziju za one koji ne jedu meso. Najbolje ih je kombinirati s nekim od naših koktela, a preporučila bi