Bustling Spancirfest Marred by Petty Mindsets
In the vibrant cultural landscape of continental Croatia, the rise of festivals is creating a competitive environment, with one of the most significant developments being the growth of Terezijana in Bjelovar. Originating in 1996, Terezijana has been expanding, extending from a three-day event to a five-day celebration in 2024, coinciding with the opening of a new motorway to Bjelovar and the anticipated thermal spa in the region.
Meanwhile, Spancirfest, a renowned street festival in Varazdin, has been in operation since 1999. Faced with this growing competition, Spancirfest is approaching the expansion of Terezijana with a somewhat protective stance, potentially fearing the dilution of its unique identity and a possible decline in visitor numbers or cultural significance.
This year, Terezijana combined the Burger, Pizza, and Pancake Festivals for the first time in Croatia, attracting a significant number of visitors. Interestingly, Terezijana's growth and the format of its events have been criticised by Spancirfest, with accusations of copying Varazdin's street festival style, specifically the burger festival.
However, the criticism extends beyond style, with Spancirfest's recent social media post being criticised for being disingenuous, classless, and petty. The post, which is still live and was published three days ago, appears to compare Terezijana's programme to its own, but only represents 8 things out of hundreds of events happening over 5 days. Critics argue that the post is misleading and that most of the 8 events in the photo are considered ridiculous.
The controversy has led to calls for Spancirfest to issue a public apology and to start supporting its colleagues instead of trying to undermine them. Some believe that embracing the growth of festivals across continental Croatia is the key to maintaining cultural vibrancy and attracting more tourists.
As Terezijana prepares to celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2025, it continues to thrive and attract visitors, demonstrating that there is indeed room for multiple successful festivals in the region. The competition between Spancirfest and Terezijana serves as a testament to the growing cultural scene in continental Croatia, offering something for everyone and providing a rich tapestry of experiences for tourists and locals alike.
In the realm of home-and-garden, one might envision the growth and expansion of Terezijana as akin to a flourishing garden, blooming from a humble seed in 1996 to a vibrant six-day celebration in 2025. On the other hand, Spancirfest, similar to an antique vintage piece, guards its unique identity and cultural significance with caution, much like maintaining the aesthetic appeal of a carefully curated home.
