The tenth edition of the Midsummer Scene Festival is ready to begin. Actors from around the world have arrived in Dubrovnik, filling the city with song. This summer, the mystical Dubrovnik Elsinore, Lovrjenac Fortress, will host a spectacular musical adaptation of Jules Verne’s classic “Around the World in 80 Days” as part of the festival’s milestone anniversary. The first performance is scheduled for Saturday, June 21, at 9:30 PM.
“Congratulations on ten years of success; it’s no small feat. Establishing a presence in a city renowned for its cultural scene is even more challenging. I dare say no other city in Croatia boasts such a rich cultural scene and program. Projects like this showcase a synergy between private initiative and public support, which Midsummer Scene exemplifies!” stated the Mayor of Dubrovnik, Mato Franković. “I’m pleased that this program is held in English. It’s something our foreign visitors need. The City of Dubrovnik and the Tourist Board have been small cogs in this endeavor, but without your persistence and belief in the project, none of this would have been possible. Your tenacity has proven the skeptics wrong.”
The festival was presented by Darija Mikulandra Žanetić, executive producer of Midsummer Scene, Mato Franković, Miro Drašković, director of the Dubrovnik Tourist Board, Sean Aita, director and dramaturge of the musical, Filip Krenus, creative producer of Midsummer Scene, and Nikša Matić, director of the Marin Držić House.
The musical will be performed fifteen times throughout the festival. Additionally, attendees can enjoy the play “Marlene Dietrich” performed by drama star Ksenija Prohaska, the concert “The Stringbreaker” by renowned composer and pianist Matej Meštrović dedicated to the UNESCO World Heritage Year, and a wealth of cultural content that will delight visitors from around the world. There are also two special events: tomorrow at the Marin Držić Theatre, Wax Factory from New York, featuring Ivan Talijančić and Erika Latta, will perform “Lulu XX”. On June 29, Sponza Palace will host the presentation of the comic book “Novela od Stanca”, translated into English by Filip Krenus.
The Midsummer Scene Festival will run from June 22 to July 7, offering a multi-sensory journey that enriches Dubrovnik’s cultural life and its visitors each year.
“It has been eleven years, but this is our tenth season since the first festival at Lovrjenac. A beautiful story has unfolded. They said Jelena Maržić, Filip Krenus, and I were brave back then, and now I can say we are even braver. Our great love and belief in what we do brought us here. We knew it would be difficult, but we persevered!” emphasized Darija Mikulandra Žanetić, executive producer of the festival.
This year we present fifteen performances of “Around the World in 80 Days,” which we premiered globally last year in an adaptation by Sean Aita with music by Leo Elso. We also have two excellent concerts: a musical monodrama by Ksenija Prohaska about Marlene Dietrich’s life, and the premiere of “Dunesco” by Matej Meštrović, dedicated to the UNESCO Year, featuring narrator Mark Thomas.
The festival also includes two special events. Tomorrow, in collaboration with the Marin Držić Theatre, Wax Factory from New York will perform “Lulu XX”. The other highlight is the presentation of the comic book “Novela od Stanca” in Sponza Palace, translated by Filip Krenus.
“The fact that the festival is in English is significant for the Tourist Board because we cater to all visitors. You innovate every year, adding something new to the program, like last year’s musical. We look forward to future projects from this important festival. The musical program this year is fantastic, and I encourage everyone to attend. This is our festival, for the entire city, and it would be wonderful for all citizens to enjoy the performances,” emphasized director Drašković, highlighting the importance of the collaboration between private initiatives and the Tourist Board.
“What I truly love, besides the beauty of the city, is feeling like an integral part of its cultural life. I firmly believe in intercultural artistic exchange, and Dubrovnik’s historical connection as a trading port, combined with its open-mindedness to ideas and influences from around the world, makes it the perfect place for our performances. My gratitude goes to Brilliant Events and Honey-Tongued Theatre Productions for believing in our vision. See you at the performances!” concluded director Sean Aita.
Founded in 2014, the Midsummer Scene Festival aims to provide unforgettable experiences of historical and cultural heritage through theatrical magic, offering top-notch performances of world classics, musicals, and musical-theatrical events. The program is enriched with exhibitions, book promotions, workshops, and guest performances from renowned theaters and festivals from other countries.
