Varaždin Baroque Evenings

In 1971, the first three-day festival was held, at that time one of the few specializing in this type of music in Europe.

For five decades now, baroque music has survived in the Croatian baroque capital and the former capital, Varaždin.

Varaždin Baroque Evenings are held mainly in churches and palaces, but not only in Varaždin. Today, Baroque Evenings is a two-week festival with ten thousand members of the audience from all over the world.

The Varaždin Baroque Evening Festival is the most important music and stage event in central Croatia, and today, as a specialized festival of early music, it is one of the most eminent festivals of its kind in the world. The Varaždin Baroque Evening Festival is of great importance for Croatian musical baroque heritage, as it encourages research, performance and preservation of Croatian Baroque works, both by domestic and foreign performers who often perform together as part of the festival. An important part of the festival is also a scientific conference with topics in the field of culture and music, which is attended by the greatest cultural and musical experts from Croatia and Europe, emphasizing the importance of heritage preservation. For several years now, the festival has had a partner country every year (Germany, Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Israel, Austria, the Russian Federation, Italy, France, Spain, Hungary, Japan, Sweden) and this year partner country is the Kingdom of Belgium which stands out for its long tradition and excellence in authentic performance of early music on original instruments.

During the 11 festival days, as many as 28 concerts are scheduled, which, in addition to Varaždin itself, are also held at locations throughout the region (such as the Trakošćan and Opeka castles).

Besides official concerts, the festival also brings a rich accompanying content imbued with a Belgian flair. Citizens and visitors to the Theater Square can enjoy live broadcasts of concerts, flower exhibitions, and a selection of authentic Belgian beers, waffles, and famous chocolate pralines.