Numerous Well-Known Musical Names Will Sing In Honor Of The Great Tomislav Ivčić

The organization of the concert is supported by the family of the late Ivčić, in particular since many famous names of the Croatian music scene are to perform.

– Thanks to Mr. Davor Pekota who called us, the family, and said “Let's organize something to mark this important anniversary”. We both agreed that we did not want anything pathetic, emphasizing sorrow of the fact that my father had been gone for already 30 years but to organize a joint concert that would bring real joy to this city and the generations that lived with him and that were born after his death. We also wish to show what Zadar gave to Croatia, what it inspires and can flow and is still flowing through these streets and to give the citizens of Zadar, the guests of Zadar and the whole of Croatia, what is most beautiful from my father, and that is a song. We are emotional when it comes to this but we understand that my father was not only my father but an inspiration to many. I therefore believe that even 30 years after his death his songs still are alive and that they will continue so in the future and forever as he himself said “and when we will no longer be here our song will still be sung” - Izabela Vrtar Ivčić, Tomislav’s daughter told us.

She thanked all who are participating in the organization, and they are plenty taking into consideration the size of the concert, especially Zvonimir Sunara Suki, and she said that she is very much looking forward to this event where a great number of his colleagues will perform.  

We must add that many institutions and companies are supporting this organization, and all with the aim of offering the citizens of Zadar and their guests an event free of charge, no tickets are needed, with the best Croatian musical names, accompanying orchestra and superb production and everything else that will make this concert special and unforgettable, worthy of a singer like Ivčić.  The City of Zadar is giving its support to the project as well as the county of Zadar and the Zadar City and County Tourist Office and many other sponsors such as the OTP Bank.

- It is an honor and privilege for us to be part of the organization of such a concert. All those who are citizens of Zadar at heart clearly know what this is all about. We from the Tourist Office felt the responsibility and desire of utmost participation and thus support this concert.  Therefore, all those who were students in Zagreb and other cities of our country evoke memories that take us back to our youth. This is clearly a fantastic opportunity for promoting our city, considering that Tomislav, as we all know, is the best singer who came from Zadar. I hope that as many citizens as possible will come and visit this fantastic setting and contribute to this concert – said Mario Paleka, director of Zadar Tourist Office.

When speaking of names that are to perform on August 17 on the Forum, these are Zorica Kondža, Doris Dragović, Tedi Spalato, Neno Belan, Matija Cvek, Mija Dimšić, Ivana and Marija Husar, Ivana Kindl, Tomislav Bralić and acapella group Intrade, Ivica Sikirić-Ićo, Vlado Kalember, Mladen Grdović, Forum group, Ive Županović, Marina Tomašević, Jure Brkljača, Munita Dalmatian acapella group and Davor Pekota and Niko Dalmatian acapella group.

The organizer of the concert is Zadar Event Agency, and the idea comes from Davor Pekota who is also the concert art director and Neven Stojaković.

– Neno Stojaković called me in December and said that we could organize something in Saturnus and to call the family, so I called  Izabel and said not to do it at that time but the following year, on the 30th anniversary for it would be good to have a round number. Izabel agreed and suggested for it to be in the summer and open air on the most attractive stage in Zadar, the Roman Forum. We have been working on the project for months already and are finalizing it. The project is big and comprehensive both in terms of production and music. There are no tickets and it could not be realized without the support of the city, county and sponsors. We hope to be able to organize a concert to remember, hoping for good weather and a musical stage spectacle. I invite all the citizens to come. I think that when it comes to music, we have gathered respectable names of the Croatian music scene and my colleagues have responded en masse very gladly. In the musical sense these songs will be in a new guise with a big orchestra, a big band and strings. I would like to point out that they are all musicians from Zadar. I heard some fragments of the arrangement that Saša has done and I think it will be really exceptional – Pekota revealed.

Saša Miočić, an arranger and musician producer employed in the Zadar Concert Office, is in charge of the performance of new arrangements of Tomislav’s songs.

– Our small satisfaction and victory are that the entire band is made up of Zadar musicians. We are playing with string players from the Zadar Chamber Orchestra, which makes me extremely happy. 14 string players will play with the band, having about twenty people on stage and I think it will be really nice. We haven not change anything too much, but we have taken the essence of those songs and brought them to a level that we can all enjoy. We will respect everything that is important, and these are the melodies that we all know and love to hear. The band is ready and it will be excellent – Miočić announced.

Of course, an event like this requires a carefully planned appearance of the stage as well as a complete top-level production, for which Stojaković is responsible.

– This is quite an emotional situation for all of us and we look forward to it with excitement. All this is much more to music and a summer tourist entertainment spectacle. I therefore think that all those who have participated in this happening deserve respect and I thank them. We are preparing a top production and have adapted the scenography to light Mediterranean and discreetly trying not to distract us from what is most important, which is the music of Tomislav Ivčić. The Croatian Radio and Television are participating with us in lightening the entire Forum so we will have a scene where all the buildings, sacred and other, will be lit in a professional manner and with drone and aerial shots where, I hope, more than 10-15 thousand people will experience a spectacle to be proud of - Stojaković concluded.

He emphasized that all the visitors of the concert should come to the city without their cars not to put pressure of the Peninsula for a great number of people is expected. He expects to have an emotional and calm atmosphere without any issues.