If You Build it (With Quality), They Will Come---Advent in Zagreb
- Sarah Ammerman
- Dec 13, 2016
- 4 min read
Remember the 1989 American baseball movie, Field of Dreams, with Kevin Costner playing Ray Kinsella, roaming the corn fields of his farm and hearing the voice from some other dimension whispering to him, "If you build it, they will come."?
And for whatever reason, he decided to listen to that voice. He followed his crazy dream of building a baseball field right in the middle of his corn field, the entire state of Iowa proclaimed him crazy. In the end, he ended up being right following his 'dreams' when legends of American baseball appeared from the corn stalks to play the game they adored.
After walking around Zagreb's Christmas Markets this past weekend, I have a feeling whoever decided to build the massive, magical, winter wonderland, must have had a similar journey as Mr. Kinsella. Replace corn fields with old town city center, and you have Field of Dreams Part II Euro Style.
I have been to Zagreb several times, and I did not even recognize the place in it's decked out Christmas attire. The city was completely transformed. Transformed in a beautiful, meticulous, impressive way.
Even the locals who I visited the markets with, all of us for the first time, were in shock at;
A. the sheer beauty of the light show and
B. the amount of people in attendance.
A Croatian Kevin Costner-esque person had a dream, built Santa's work shop, and the tourists came. They all came. From everywhere.
About eight years ago, Croatia was just beginning to creep on the tourism scene. Before then, it remained a country not many had heard of.
It's popularity first began to capture traveler's interests with its breathtaking coast line and historic architecturally fascinating city centers. Dubrovnik, Split, Rovinj; are a few of the small cities that have become big destinations on people's travel bucket lists.
Those cities are currently wall to wall in the Summer months, cruise ships have added them to their lines, and people are flowing freely into the country fascinated by it's green and blue natural beauty.
Now, Croatia tourism has gone one step further. They are no longer just a summer destination, they have placed themselves on the map for being a top destination on Europe's Christmas Market circuit. And this is not an easy feat to accomplish.
Big cities, such as Vienna, Munich, London, and Prague are examples of Christmas Markets with a long history of being popular for tourists to vacation during the December Advent weeks.
Just last year, Zagreb was named the Best Christmas Destination in Europe for 2016. The city of Zagreb began building it's Advent event in 2010. It has risen quickly to the top stage among the prestigious Christmas Markets around Europe.
The level of professionalism and quality is at a high standard in the squares and streets of Zagreb.
The unique, weaving, large ice rink which fills King Tomislav Square, named Ledeni Park, is one to marvel at. You can also hang out in the wooden huts surrounding the rink listening to festive Christmas music. This was the first square we approached after parking, and its glamor took my breath away.
As you continue your walk through the streets to Trg Ban Jelačića, you will notice the millions of lights meticulously hung, Santa trams, carriage and horses trotting along the street looking magical, and the beautifully crafted huts filled with activities to satisfy people of all ages.
It is rumored, to be the seller in a hut, from the Advent period of November 26-January 8; 44 days total, it takes writing a check of 20,000 Euros. Once you see the masses of people the city is attracting, you will understand why the price is so steep for vendors.
Zagreb's Advent and Croatian tourism story, in general, is a good message to the world that if you have the vision to build something spectacular on a grand scale, if you do so with quality, thought, and insight; people will come. In mass amounts.
People want quality. They crave it. And they will be pulled to it subconsciously, once it is created. Advent in Zagreb is a perfect example of this. It doesn't have a history or a long tenure of Christmas spirit tied to its name. It simply has spread by word of mouth in a short amount of time, that their Advent Market is a magic land to be experienced.
Six years ago, Zagreb's Christmas Market was merely a compilation of a few huts and lights, humbly taking up space in Ban Josip Jelačića Square. And now, over 1,000,000 visitors are reported.
Just like Ray Kinsella who built a high-quality state of the art baseball field, and in return, the legends of American baseball came back from the after life to play on it; Zagreb has put their heart and soul into creating their own Christmas Market, and are now reaping the benefits with all of the tourists coming to visit.
Sometimes all you need is a dream, some hard work, and a little bit of magic. Just ask Kevin Costner and the city of Zagreb.
In the news (fun fact)....
The Field of Dreams is coincidentally coming to life in the form of a 24-field baseball complex as of a ruling a few days ago in Iowa at the actual movie site: Field of Dreams Court Ruling
Keep dreaming people, believe in the magic, and go experience the fairy tale that is Advent in Zagreb.
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