City theatre Požega
The theatre in Požega has a long tradition dating back to the 18th century, even though the first professional theatre opened in 1945. The theatre is located in the main square and right next to it you will find the Theatre Cafe, equally popular before and after the theatre shows. The theatre produces its repertoire but you can often see theatre shows produced by other Croatian theatres. One of the more famous events held in the theatre building is the international film festival “The Croatian one-minute film festival”.
It is interesting to know that Požega, even though its theatre might be regarded as small, was home to many great Croatian and even World artists, such as Vilma Nožinić, famous opera singer and Mia Oremović, in Croatia best known for her role in the beloved film musical “Tko pjeva, zlo ne misli”. Other famous Croatian theatre and film actors born in Požega include Nada Gačešić Livaković, Ines Bojanić, and Ivan Grčić.
Milka Trnina, one of the most famous world opera singers, was not born in Požega but was still very strongly tied with our town thru her family. She performed in world-renowned opera houses all across Europe as well as in the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. One of her most unusual performances was that at the coronation of the Russian emperor Nikola II when she sang a piece from Wagner’s opera “Tristan and Isolde”. The royal couple was so much impressed that they gave her a reward, a diamond brooch and a bracelet which are today kept safe in the Museum for arts and crafts in Croatia’s capital Zagreb. But perhaps the most intriguing story about Milka Trnina is the one that links her name with the famous milk chocolate. The legend says that the Swiss industrial Carl Russ-Suchard, one of Trnina’s biggest fans, especially for her performances of Richard Wagner, was secretly in love with her and wanted the whole World to know it by naming one of his chocolates after her – Milka.
Address: Trg Sv. Trojstva 20, 34000 Požega
Web: www.gkp.hr
E-mail: marketing@gkp.hr
Tel.: 0385 (0)34 273 161
City library Požega
Since 1987 located in the monumental art nouveau building of the former “First bank of Požega”, the library was first founded in 1845 under the Latin name “Lectoria Societas”, meaning “the Reader’s society”. Ever since then it has been a very important part of cultural life in the city. Many events such as book readings, meetings with the writers as well as exhibitions and concerts are held in the city library. It is interesting to know that Požega, even though it is a small town, is one of the most important centres of Croatian literature being either the birthplace or the place of work for many known writers.
Since 1985 their works can be found in the regional book collection named “Possegana”. Some of the writers whose works can be found there are: Antun Kanižlić, the 18th-century author of “Sveta Rožalia”; Josip Eugen Tomić, the author of the comedy about the beloved historical figure baron Franjo Trenk; Julije Kempf, former mayor of Požega and author of many travelogues including those about the travels of Dragutin Lerman, the Požega born famous explorer of Africa; then there are the works by Dobriša Cesarić, author of the well-known lyrics “Teče i teče jedan slap, što u njem znači moja mala kap?” from the book of poems “Slap”; Miroslav Kraljević, author of the first Požega based novel; Armin Pavić, book historian; Zlata Kolarić Kišur, author of one of the most beloved children’s novels “Moja Zlatna dolina”; Matko Peić, author of the travelogue “Skitnje”; Zdenka Marković, writer and translator; Ivan Fadljević, poet and journalist; Lana Derkač, poet and author of numerous short stories and Viktorija Faust, the “queen” of Croatian horror novels.
Address: Ulica Antuna Kanižlića 1, 34000 Požega
Web: www.gkpz.hr
E-mail: gkpz@gkpz.hr
Tel.: +385 99 482 06 91
City museum Požega
The building of the City Museum, located in the main square, is a unique example of 18th-century baroque architecture and is considered to be one of the oldest in Požega. One of the ornaments of the building that stand out is the statue of the Virgin Mary located in the corner niche. The museum moved into the building formerly owned by the Thaller family in 1953, but the museum institution itself was established in 1924, thanks to Julije Kempf, former city mayor. By type, this museum is considered to be a complex homeland museum and is comprised of four departments: archaeology, history, art-history gallery, and ethnology. The museum holds regular exhibitions as well as other forms of cultural events such as concerts, smaller theatre plays, exhibitions of paintings and photographs. Apart from those in the main building, there is a small exhibition dedicated to an old-fashioned barbershop with the original inventory, located on the other side of the main square, across from St. Lawrence’s church, and it serves as a reminder of the city’s famous history of craftsmen.
One of the most popular projects of the Požega city museum is the “delicious” “Muzej u loncu” (“Museum in the pot”). It is a collection of recipes for traditional dishes from Požega and its countryside as well as from other parts of eastern Croatia. Along with the stories about the food itself, this project tells stories inspired by the rich history of this part of Europe. The dishes from the “Museum in the pot” also tell the story of the many people and minorities that had shaped the history of Slavonia, Baranya and Srijem and therefore show the influence on local gastronomy that came from the Ottoman Empire (Turkey), Austria, Germany, Hungary and other parts of Croatia. This travelling exhibition has so far attracted hundreds of visitors and some of the dishes described can also be found in the local restaurants. For more information on “Muzej u loncu”, you can visit their website: www.muzejuloncu.com
Address: Ulica Matice Hrvatske 1 (ugao Trga Sv. Trojstva), 34000 Požega
Web: www.gmp.hr
E-mail: info@gmp.hr
Tel.: 00385 (0)34 272 130
Diocesan museum
The Diocesan museum of the Požega bishopric was founded in 1999 to collect, store, safe keep and maintain the objects of the sacral heritage found in the Požega bishopric. The museum collection is comprised of some 200 pieces, including art paintings, monstrances, chalices, statues of saints and other church inventory, dating from the 15th century to the 21st century.
Address: Trg Sv. Terezije 6, 34000 Požega
Web: www.pozeska-biskupija.hr/2017/07/31/dijecezanski-muzej-pozeske-biskupije
E-mail: dijecezanskimuzej.pb@gmail.com
Tel.: 00385 (0)34 290 345
The Music school
The elementary music school in Požega was founded in 1970 but the tradition of musical education is much older and in the past, it was nurtured by the city music orchestra “Trenkovi panduri”, church quires, private tutors and the rich musical heritage found all over the region of Slavonia. In 2014 the city music school moved into the new building equipped with the latest modern instruments and a concert hall with year-round programs. Thanks to that, the students now have the conditions to achieve the best results in the music competitions and to develop as young professionals. One of the results of the professional work with the students was the formation of the “Big Band Požega” in 2011. It might be one of the youngest such bands in Croatia but it is also one of the best according to the many prizes won in music competitions.
Some of the well known musical artists born or raised in Požega include: Vilma Nožinić, the Zagreb opera house prima donna; Boris Ćiro Gašparac, the musician known for his traditional “tamburica” music hits; and among today’s modern singers: Vesna Pisarović, dance, pop and jazz music singer and Dino Jelusić, rock musician and the winner of the first Children’s Eurovision song contest in 2003.
It is interesting to know that one of the best traditional music festivals in Croatia, “Zlatne žice Slavonije” (The Golden strings of Slavonia), was established in Požega in 1969. It takes place every year in September and is a part of the larger “Aurea Fest” traditional festival. On that occasion, hundreds of tourists visit Požega and the city center becomes the most festive place in Slavonia. For more information on Aurea Fest visit the website: www.aurea-fest.com.
Another interesting music-history fun-fact that originates from Požega and its countryside is the story about “Trenkovi panduri” (Trenk’s pandurs/guards). They were a private army of soldiers established in the 18th century by the famous baron Franjo Trenk with the support from the empress Maria Theresia. Trenk’s Pandurs were the “fear and tremble” of all who stood against the Empress and were the first army in Europe followed by an army music band. To find out more about this historical regiment as well as the history of Požega’s city music band “Trenkovi panduri”, visit their web site: www.pp-trenkovi-panduri.hr.
Address: Ulica Vjekoslava Babukića 27, 34000 Požega
Web: www.glazbena-skola-pozega.hr
E-mail: glazbena-skola@po.ht.hr
Tel.: 00385 (0)34 273 630