In Novi Vinodolski, the first Advent candle was lit yesterday, along with the city’s Christmas lights. Trg Vinodolskog zakona square, the Turnac tower, Santa Claus House, Korzo hrvatskih branitelja, and the space in front of the church all came to life with lights. Music echoed through the town center. The rest of the decorations will be put up during the first Advent week, and Trg Ivana Mažuranića will light up on December 16, when a weekend-long gastro and entertainment program will begin and run through the end of the year.

Sunday in Novi Vinodolski was filled with joyful children’s laughter and performances during the Advent opening. At the start of the program, Tena Peričić, director of the Novi Vinodolski Tourist Board, and Tomislav Cvitković, mayor of Novi Vinodolski, welcomed all attendees.

Director of TZG thanked everyone who in any way contributed to the organization of Advent – through the program, city decoration, and enriching the winter offering in Novi – and briefly outlined what visitors can expect this December during the Advent program. Novi Vinodolski is truly a special city, beautiful in every season, and we wanted, through decoration and lighting, for it to be lovely even during Advent – and I believe we succeeded, she said.

The mayor expressed his pleasure at seeing many parents with their children come out to walk, view Santa Claus House, and see the new decorations. Christmas is a time of togetherness, peace, and hope, and he wished everyone to spend this time surrounded by their loved ones, families, and friends.

In the opening program, the Fijolica Kindergarten participated with its two groups – Leptirići and Račići – who performed three songs with choreography, after which Father Mario Frlan blessed the first Advent candle and the church choir sang three Christmas carols.

The school choir of the Ivan Mažuranić Elementary School performed two songs and student Franka Pavelić recited verses by Amalia Zoričić, concluding the first part of the program.

The industrious Association 51+ completed the opening with cakes baked by its members and hot tea, and everyone was entertained by the excellent group Katz’n’Dogz.

Thus began the Advent program in Novi Vinodolski, which continues already next weekend at the Fijolica Kindergarten on December 2 and 3 with a beautiful program prepared by the kindergarten staff, children and parents, and on Sunday with screenings of a Christmas animated and feature film at the Cultural Center – admission free.