Come experience Advent in a city older than Christmas itself. Zadar, Croatia’s oldest city, hosts a spectacular 40 days of advent with something for absolutely everyone. So can there be a better central location to gather Croatian returnees and hold a Christmas party?
I’ve got a few ideas and I’ll give a few options.
OPTION 1 – join Zadar I.G. Dijaspora group event on 20.12
The safe and easy option. Ive joined a Zadar returnee group on Whatsapp that has about 20 members. They apparently meetup the last Friday of each month. Since this month it falls on a public holiday they will probably meetup on the 20th. Ive been told they will probably go bowling.
With this short notice I’d think I would get about 10-15 people maybe more if people knew other people interested. I think its best not to reinvent the wheel, and at least for now, join an existing group and get at least 20-30 people together this way.
OPTION 2 – Zadar Advent 13-14.12
Turn this into a big annual returnee Božićni Domjenak/Christmas party that goes over at least a day and half. Call returnees from all over Croatia to come.
Make it flexible so people can do what they want within their budgets.
Friday arrive and have group dinner somewhere on Poluotok then drinks somewhere. After that who wants to, can stick around, for the advent concert with this years Rakijafest singer Mate Grgat.
If people come with family etc they can just join the parts of the program that suits their budget and circumstance (i.e. have children with them). If someone wants to go to McDonalds with the kids for dinner, or whatever, and later come for drinks its all OK. Nothing is fixed you have come to Advent and choose what part of socializing with returnees suits you.
If someone doesn’t want to pay for accomodation they can come just for Saturday’s program. Saturday morning will be free time for everyone as many might not get to bed until late. Again a non compulsory group lunch.
Afternoon could be bowling, billiards and darts at the above bowling place.
People who are not interested can go Christmas shopping instead. If you have young children you can leave them at twister fun Park in Super Nova Shopping centre. It’s free for the first hour, 4,90 per hour after that or 9,99 for three hours with a free gift. Its open from 9-21h.
After that its the same as Friday night, group dinner somewhere on Poluotok then drinks somewhere. After that, who wants to, can stick around for the Advent concert for Saturday night, Jole.
OPTION 3 – Zadar Advent 20-21.12
Same program as Option 2 except Friday night is Setre Husar
Saturday night’s concert is Maja Šuput.
I’d prefer the singers for next week (Option 2) but its too short notice for people from far away to commit. Even Option 3 would most likely be too short a notice. I think noone in the group will be interested. Its just an idea that I actually will attempt seriously next year. From what I hear the returnees in Split will have a Christmas party next year.
I’ll give it until the end of the weekend. Then I will post in Expats in Zadar group the decision to try to get more people involved. It most likely will be option 1 unless at least 5-10 people show interest in the other options.
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