Dear readers,

after a long thinking, deciding, changing thought and all the doubts and questions that came along the way I finally decided to stop writing this blog. Although I really liked the concept at first (and that was one of the main reasons why I ever started this blog) now I kind of got tired of it. And if it doesn't make me happy anymore I honestly don't see the point of doing it. Still, good news is that I plan on starting a new blog very soon. The subject will still be Zagreb but I plan to make a completely new concept which should present my own vision of Zagreb! All the things I love and also all the things I don't like so much about this city. At this very spot you will be able to find a new blog address and all the other necessary details soon!

I would also like to use this moment to thank all the subscribers and followers for reading and commenting! Thank you very much! Hope to see you all in a short while on a new blog!

Hugs,
Helena

A Women's World

This photo I took at The Centre for Women's Studies which is placed in the Memorial apartment of Marija Jurić Zagorka. I already made one post about Zagorka - a Croatian writer and journalist who was a fighter for human rights, especially women’s human rights. So I find this place a happy symbiosis - a true center where cultural heritage and education and research meet! It is a very warm place where one can always feel welcomed!

Mermaid graffiti

Miškec passage

Belfry

Church of St. Vinko Paulski, Frankopanska street

Sunny Saturday

Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts (HAZU) and Strossmayer Gallery, Strossmayer Square

Uspinjača - Zagreb Funicular

So, this is probably one of the most commonly photographed views in Zagreb. Here you can see the Zagreb Funicular built in 1890 that still operates and is connecting the Lower town and Ilica street with Upper town known as Gradec. Also here you can see the Tower Lotrščak I already told you about in one of my earlier posts. 

Have a nice weekend everybody!

Twilight over Zrinjevac

It was finally sunny in Zagreb! And sadly I missed it because of work. However, I took this photo of beautiful park Zrinjevac during twilight.

Window Virgin Mary

Tkalčićeva street

February theme day - Manduševac at night

This is Manduševac - one of the most popular Zagreb fountains and a true city symbol! It is located on the Zagreb main square at the place where a real well used to be and was commonly used by people of Zagreb in the old days.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Wishing for spring to come

I can't wait for spring and warmer weather! A the moment the temperature is still low and the weather is mostly gray. This photo I took few days ago - it was such a bliss! This is Mažuranac (Mažuranić Square) and park near the Croatian national theater.

History?

I would really like to know how often do people use these nowadays? And is it becoming history?

Museum

Arts and Crafts Museum - detail

Toilet paper art

Marija Jurić Zagorka City Library, Krvavi most

Balconies...

Marko Marulić Square

Winter resting?!

Today was a sunny and a quite warm day! So, I had a master plan to use the situation (after doing some field work) and take a walk through the Botanical garden to relax and take some sunny winter photos. But sadly, the garden was closed due to the so called ''winter resting'' (from 1st of November till the 1st of April). I could not believe! and it made me so sad! I mean, I know that everything is ''dead'' but still the nature can be also very beautiful during winter! And I really don't understand why people could not take a walk through the garden while plants have it's ''winter resting''? Only if it is supposed to be resting from the visitors?! (OK, I'm being a bit sarcastic here!).

After work #2

Čazmanska street, Vrbik

After work #1

Pothodnik, Importanne Center, Zagreb main train station

Keep universities public and make them free for all

I already had two posts considering students fight for free education - things didn't move far ahead but sadly it is even getting worse. At the moment government is trying to bring new laws about universities and higher education that will destroy universities as we know it and bring the principles of free market and private interest. Some university professors and institute scientists have started organizing actions against this new laws considering it the worst-case scenario for free public education and science.

Theater ITD

Theater ITD, SC, Savska street

Fair of Culture

The popular Student's center (SC) has organized 7. Fair of Culture from 20. till 23. of January. The schedule is rich with all sort of events - music, theater productions, art, performances, movies, and lots more. So, if you're in Zagreb drop by the SC and enjoy the shows!

Old factory Gorica

This is an old factory building Gorica located in Šubićeva street in the east part of Zagreb. It is one of many factories that are left to ruin and have no purpose (or at least an acceptable one!) in the city. Some time ago I had a post about one positive example of revitalization of industrial heritage - an old cigarette factory that's supposed to be a new building for Croatian history museum. I really hope that there will be more initiatives promoting revitalization of industrial heritage in Zagreb because this current situation is definitely the worst possible.

Christmas lights...

Well, Christmas is long gone but the lights still remain.

Fog

Eurotower building

Bad Blue Beuys

This is a graffiti that's been here for quite some time now - in Teslina street between BP Club and Gallery Nova. And I believe that this location is not a coincidence, as the nearby Gallery Nova is dealing with the contemporary art and BP Club is a legendary jazz club. But to fully understand this graffiti one must know something about Joseph Beuys, an extraordinary German artist and also, the fact that Bad Blue Boys is the name of the supporters group of Zagreb football (soccer) team Dinamo. So, I see this as a huge irony in a way - but still think that Beuys would like the idea, especially taking in consideration the fact that probably most of the members of BBB doesn't have a clue who Beuys is.

Contemplating...

Zdenac života - The Well of Life

Rising moon and falling sun

Part of the Oktogon building taken from the Flower square

Street lights

Medvedgradska street

Inside the tram

 

I bring you today one photo from the Zagreb tram. It is my everyday reality -  a common transportation from home to work and around the city. Sadly, it is not too efficient but there are not many alternatives. And the number of cars has increased to the point that it is becoming unbearable. We need a new public transport policy immediately!

Green...

Croatian national theater

An artist and a poet

I've been visiting several exhibitions lately and I must say it is one of the things I really enjoy doing! Few days ago I went to see the exhibition called ''Vlado Martek: Poetry in Action'' which was held at the Miroslav Kraljević Gallery.

In this post I want to introduce to you Vlado Martek (born in 1951.) - one of the most important Croatian contemporary artists. He is not formally educated to be an artist, but he graduated literature and philosophy on the Zagreb Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and that's what, in my opinion, helped him become such an influential and productive artist. Along with his art works he also writes poetry and often combines this two activities. As he once wrote: ''Taking pen in hand is always an act of honesty.''

Love for Zagreb

Povrh starog Griča brda
kao junak lijep i mlad,
smjele glave, čela tvrda,
slavni stoji Zagreb-grad.
Živ ponosit
Jak prkosit,
Kad slobode plane boj.
Tko tu klik'o nebi:
'Slava, slava tebi,
Zagreb-grade divni moj'

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August Šenoa is one of the most important Croatian writers who lived in 19. century. He was a true Zagrepčan, born in 1838., lived in Zagreb whole his life and at the end died here after some health problems after the Zagreb Great Earthquake in 1881. He was born in Vlaška street - a famous old street where I took this photo. I must say I really love it!

Renaissance time...

Andrija Medulić also known as Andrea Schiavone was a famous Croatian Renaissance painter and etcher who lived in the first half of the 16. century. He was born in Zadar (Croatia) but mainly worked in Venice (Italy). He was one of the representatives of the Mannerism style and he influenced young Titian and Tintoretto. This sculpture is placed on the Zrinjevac as an honour to this great man.

Flaming sky!

For some especially beautiful moments in life one just has to get up early!

View of the mountain Medvednica

Is it love?

Oktogon passage

Rhythm...

Croatian national theater

It makes you think...

Yesterdays photo was from the exhibition that I went to see the other day. It is, apparently, about one great Croatian artist - Josip Vaništa - and his work in the Gorgon group and post-Gorgon time from the 1961. till today. Josip Vaništa is 86 years old man and still very lucid and full of life! I recommend visiting this exhibition in Zagreb Gliptoteka (Glyptotheque) in Medvedgradska street, not far away from Zagreb main square. The exhibition is open till the 31st of January. Definitely a must see!

Josip Vaništa / Gorgona

''The Gorgon had a distinctive dimension, it wanted to be free from time, from places and things. In its time the reality progressed to the absence. My part was to work on the void. The Gorgon was for me the important thing in life that comes from outside.'' Josip Vaništa*, 1988.

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* Josip Vaništa is one of the most important Croatian artists of the 20th century. He was part of the Gorgon - group of artist who all had one aim, to shift the boundary between art and ordinary life.

Skating!

This winter city government decided to install an open skating rink which is not a bad idea but... as always on a wrong location. It is on a Zagreb main square with several other objects and constructions so that the square looks too crowded and unpleasant. Much better decision would be to place it on a different square or any meadow in one of many parks. I will never understand the governments need to put everything on the main square!

Snow at Dolac

It was snowing today again and the temperature was low! But what else should we expect in winter, no?! I took this photo at Dolac - main city open market just few meters from Zagreb main square. Dolac was designed by Croatian architect Vjekoslav Bastl between 1926. and 1930. It is consisted of two parts, an open part at the top and the closed, sort of underground, part at the bottom. I must show you once how the market looks colorful and lively during the day!

January 2011 theme day: Photo of the year 2010

So, I decided to follow the CDP tradition and chose one of my photos for the Theme Day as the best photo of the year 2010. I must say it wasn't easy pick and I was torn between putting visually and aesthetically interesting photo or one with the best story behind it or importance for Zagreb. And this one is a sort of a compromise - visually attractive but with a big controversy behind the whole project of the building. Also, I'm going to brake up one CDP rule and give you a bonus photo to help you see a little bit more of what I was photographing here.

And just one more note, it was one of my first posts back in April. ;)

Also, click here to view the thumbnails of all the participants in this Theme Day.