This Friday, in front of numerous visitors, the Pula Arena shone in its full festive glory for the first time! The beginning of Advent in the Arena was marked by an attractive program featuring 50 performers and the lighting of Christmas decorations.
A unique visual experience and spectacular scenes delighted many visitors, and the distinctive decorative elements adorning the amphitheater quickly became a favorite backdrop for photographs on the very first day! Upon entering the Arena, visitors pass through 8-meter-long arches adorned with lights, opening up to a view of true Christmas magic. The stands are completely snow-covered and decorated with 111 illuminated Christmas trees, while among the Advent stalls sits a Roman chariot with two stylized horses. There are also fairy builders who remind passersby of the ancient mythical story, and a walk behind the stands reveals three light tunnels. Visualia Group, a collective specializing in light installations, transformed the central tunnel into an attractive Christmas story using themed projections that left no one indifferent.
“We are extremely proud to be the creators of Advent in the Arena, and we are delighted that we managed to bring all our ideas and visions to life exactly as planned. I would like to thank the City of Pula, the Pula Film Festival, and the Pula Tourist Board for the opportunity to create a project that will undoubtedly resonate throughout the region, as well as everyone who contributed to turning the Arena into its own Christmas fairy tale. Given the truly large number of visitors on the very first day, I believe we have all succeeded together. We believe that Advent will be a reason for people to visit Pula and that visitors will leave the Arena with beautiful memories, wishing to return at least once more,” said Vedran Babić from the company Inspiro Lab.
The central part of the amphitheater is occupied by a spacious ice rink, where skaters enjoyed themselves from the very first day. The Medo Skating Club from Zagreb was the first to step onto the ice, bringing beloved stories to life with their enchanting costumes, lavish scenography, and ballet music. Pula musician Kristina Iveković brought a touch of musical magic to the Arena, and with the holiday classic “All I Want for Christmas,” the ice rink in the Arena was officially opened.
“Opening the first Advent ice rink in the Pula Arena is truly prestigious. As a regional leader in the production and rental of ice rinks and related equipment, with years of experience, we are proud that our products, our people, and partners can be part of this wonderful event in such a historic setting. This project combined our expertise in ice rink production and assembly with the unique opportunity to collaborate with the City of Pula, the Pula Film Festival, and the project creator Inspiro Lab, as well as our partners Živiice and Company Logistic j.d.o.o., to create an unforgettable winter experience. We are grateful for the trust placed in us and for the exceptional cooperation. Being a partner in organizing such an event is truly an honor,” said Denis Ventin, procurator of Arctic d.o.o.
Visitors will be able to enjoy this unique Christmas story until January 6, 2025. The opening hours for Advent in the Arena are Sunday to Thursday from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM and on Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Entry is free for all visitors.
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