The 18th Chocolate Festival in Opatija delighted with sumptuous flavors and chocolate masterpieces

In a great atmosphere at three locations, the sweetest event in Opatija attracted over 13.000 local and foreign visitors and this time delighted with a rich program - from chocolate sculptures and exhibitions to exclusive chocolate delicacies, creative workshops and inspiring masterclasses.

This year, the Chocolate Festival celebrated its coming of age with a humanitarian sign and spectacular chocolate attractions, and at the same time caused a lot of sighs.

The central art installation was an impressive Viennese "zaherica" ​​shaped like a floral parterre in front of Villa Angiolina, authored by Marina Prijatelj, who also presented a smaller version of the cake at the Festival as a new gastronomic souvenir of Opatija.

This sweet creation, the creation of which was spent 80 kilograms of chocolate, was accompanied by a richly ornamented relief of Angiolina's facade made of white and dark chocolate, made by the academic sculptor Georgette Yvette Ponte.

Belgian chocolatier Alexandre Druart prepared a visual spectacle in chocolate – a replica of the famous Brussels Atomium in a unique artistic interpretation. His creation of this iconic landmark is complemented by another symbol of Belgium - cute "Smurfs" molded from chocolate.

The twenty-kilogram Atomium was put up for online auction, and all funds collected were donated to the Association of Persons with Disabilities in the city of Opatija.

"It took me more than a hundred hours to make this chocolate sculpture. I made it for the first time, and the biggest challenge was the geometry. I would like to thank the hosts, the TZ of the city of Opatija and the City of Opatija, and the Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium for the invitation and hospitality. I spent a wonderful time in Croatia and I am happy that I could contribute to humanitarian goals by creating a sculptureHe said Alexandre Druart.

The ceremonial presentation of the chocolate Atomium was attended by the mayor of Opatija, Fernando Kirigin, the ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium in Croatia, H.J. E. William De Baets, Director of the City of Opatija TZ Suzi Petričić, Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of Belgium in Opatija Ivan Kovačić and President of the Association of Persons with Disabilities in the City of Opatija Amir Maslić.

"The Opatija Chocolate Festival is a wonderful event with very attractive stands offering a multitude of tempting products. It is excellently organized and attracts many visitors who find inspiration or are already buying gifts and sweets for the upcoming holidays. The atmosphere at the festival is very warm and family oriented, which reflects the hospitality of Opatija. I am very glad that Belgium was a partner of the Chocolate Festival in Opatija this year, and the participation of master chocolatier Alexandre Druart, who made a chocolate model of the famous Belgian Atomium, made the event even more beautiful", said the ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium in Croatia, H.J. E. William De Baets.

"I am glad that today in Opatija we can welcome the ambassador of Belgium, as well as the excellent connoisseur of chocolate, Mr. Druart. I would like to thank them for recognizing our Chocolate Festival and providing support and additional creative content by participating. The support of those who come from the country that is so famous for chocolate for the Opatija Chocolate Festival is of particular importance, but also a confirmation of the quality of this sweet gastronomic event. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the exhibitors for coming, and especially the team of Mrs. Marina Prijatelj, who surprised us with a cake in honor of our high tourism anniversary.", he said during the presentation of the sculpture Fernando Kirigin, mayor of the city of Opatija.

Even after the end of the Chocolate Festival, Opatija continues to live in the spirit of this dessert. Chocolate lovers can enjoy special choco-gastro creations and wellness treatments offered by Opatija hotels and restaurants until the end of November.

They can also view thematic exhibitions in the area of ​​the Zora Cultural Center and the Juraj Šporer Art Pavilion, where until November 24 it is possible to buy the products of the Rab producer Vilma and attend chocolate production presentations on weekends. 

"The large attendance of the Chocolate Festival once again confirmed that this event with an international character is a strong motive for visitors to come to Opatija, a destination that celebrates an impressive 180 years of tourist tradition this year and rightfully holds the title of the flagship of domestic tourism. We are happy to invite all chocolate lovers to the next edition of the Festival from November 7 to 9, 2025, when new surprises await them and an even richer and more varied program", said the director of the TZ of the city of Opatija, Suzi Petričić.

Source and photo: Tourist Board of Opatija