April 22, 2022 – The traditional camellia exhibition has now evolved into the Opatija Camellia Festival, celebrating these colorful flowers in April every year.

Once again, these fragrant flowers of the first days of April have embellished the already fabulous Opatija. The Camellia Lovers Association organized the traditional 14th exhibition, which this year became the Camellia Festival.

The J. Šporer Art Pavilion in the heart of Opatija was the scene of this unique event that is talked about throughout the region. In addition to choosing the most beautiful camellia, a carousel of various activities dazzled the city. According to Mira Shalabi, president of the Association, they have thought about the festival for the past few years, but the atmosphere of coronavirus has prevented them from doing so.

“Many helped, from the city of Opatija to the Opatija Tourist Board to Kvarner and others. Angiolina Park is also beautiful and overall completed the tourist offer” , says Shalabi, pointing out that they currently have around 100 valuable members.

Katica Dražić, a camellia expert at the kindergarten in Opatija, presented a camellia bush and flower to the children. A workshop on camellia cultivation was held in the nursery in Angiolina Park and the topics were agrotechnical measures, transplanting from cuttings, layering, protection and care. Lectures were given by Jan Bernd-Urban, founder of the Association of Camellia Lovers and specialist in the history of camellias and Opatija, and Romana Lekić, adviser to the Dean of Tourism at Edward Bernays Zagreb in Villa Antonio, presented the symbol of love camellia and magic of Angiolina Park.

Musical performances for the opening featured Olga Šober, national opera champion and maestro Nada Matošević Orešković with the aria “E strano” from the opera La Traviata, guitarist Natko Štiglić, the RK elementary school choir Jeret and young accordionist Dorian Rubesha.

“On Saturday, a guided walk in Angiolina Park was organized, a visit to the exhibitions of the Sporer pavilion, a vote for the most beautiful camellia flower, and a presentation and tasting of “Camellia sinensis” green tea in the nearby town of Veprinac Ensemble Zora delighted the audience with their dances, and Vivien Galletta, Goranka and Marin Tuhtan from HNK Rijeka sang several popular tunes,” added Shalabi, thanking many members of FIJET, the Association of Tourism Journalists and Writers tourism upon arrival.

The most beautiful camellias were awarded to Boško Lukić, Nada Grizilo and Vesna Komadina.

All photos by Slobodan Kadic

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