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The Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb officially opened the doors of its new, modern theatre stage CNT2 at Božidar Adžija 7a Street, an event that marked a historic moment for Croatian culture. After more than seventy years of waiting for a suitable location and the possibility of building a second stage, CNT2 has become a reality, a venue that unites tradition, innovation and a vision for the future of Croatian theatre.

The new stage represents one of the most important infrastructural and artistic breakthroughs in recent history, symbolizing the beginning of an exciting stage in the life of the national theatre, in the year when the CNT in Zagreb celebrates the 130th anniversary of the opening of its historic building. Initiated by the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia and, with a part from the EUSF, financed by the Government of the Republic of Croatia, the CNT2 is a strategic project of national significance and one of the largest investments in the cultural sector in the last few decades, with a total investment value of 45 million euros. The realization of the CNT2 is a moment of pride for the entire Croatian culture, a venue that will enable contemporary productions, new artistic challenges and even closer contact with the audience. The opening ceremony was accompanied by the artistic program Slava umjetnosti 2.0, which celebrated the diversity and strength of the performing arts with music, stage and movement. The audience was addressed by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, Mr. Andrej Plenković, Minister of Culture and Media, Dr. Nina Obuljen Koržinek, Mayor of the City of Zagreb, Tomislav Tomašević and the General manager of the CNT in Zagreb, Dr. Iva Hraste Sočo, who in their speeches highlighted CNT2 as a symbol of contemporary theatre that combines theatre art and new technology, making it one of the most modern theatre stages in this part of Europe. A special feature of the project is its connection with the workshops and technical facilities of the CNT, thanks to which, for the first time in the history of the central national theatre, the entire process of creating a play, from idea to performance, takes place within a single, functional and modern space.

I am pleased that we have opened the new stage of the CNT2, which will be the home of Drama, Opera and Ballet, and evoke the glorious past of Croatian artists, culture, language and identity. This project is worth 45 million euros, and was realized from the “ashes of the earthquake” as part of the large-scale process of renovation of cultural, sacral, scientific, educational and health facilities in Zagreb. The new stage of the CNT marks a turning point for all those who have dreamed of it for years, even decades, and for us it was an opportunity to provide Zagreb with a new large, renovated cultural facility. Thank you to everyone who gave their contribution to this renovation, especially Minister Nina Obuljen Koržinek and general manager Iva Hraste Sočo. I wish the artists much success and I am sure that the audience will be happy to come to the CNT2, said the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, Mr. Andrej Plenković.

This was a dream that generations before us dreamed of – many general managers, artists, directors, the audience. Being able to realize such a great undertaking during my term – from the initial idea, finding a space, securing funds, monitoring the works, to tonight's grand opening – fills me with happiness and immense gratitude – said Minister of Culture and Media Nina Obuljen Koržinek, adding: In times when banalities or fake news easily penetrate the public space, the space for discussing artistic achievements, valuable performances, and new dramatic texts is narrowing. In times when artists compete for attention with digital

content, when time is measured by the dynamics of posts on social networks, when we fight to attract young people to culture and art, I am aware that there is still a huge number of our fellow citizens of all generations who believe in the power and importance of culture and art. For your sake, for the sake of all of us, we will continue to invest in the development of culture, guided by the principles of professionalism, ethics, and artistic freedom, said Minister of Culture and Media Dr. Nina Obuljen Koržinek.

It is a great honor for me to attend the opening of the CNT2. I would like to thank the Ministry of Culture and Media and the Government of the Republic of Croatia for their support of this capital project, which marks the beginning of the revitalization of this part of Trešnjevka. The City of Zagreb, as a co-founder of the Croatian National Theatre, is extremely pleased that this new stage will contribute to the cultural development of the city and encourage the renovation of Adžijina and Magazinska Streets and the area of the former Samoborček, said Zagreb Mayor Tomislav Tomašević.

The audience was addressed by the general manager of the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb, Dr. Iva Hraste Sočo. Today, symbolically in the year in which we celebrate 130 years since the opening of our historic building, we are beginning a new chapter in Croatian theatre. HNK2 is more than our repertoire need, it is a step towards the future of national culture, a space for research, bold ideas and, above all, togetherness. This project would not have been possible without the great support of the Government led by Prime Minister Plenković and the Ministry of Culture and Media and the Minister Obuljen Koržinek, who have recognized CNT2 as a key infrastructural and cultural undertaking and thus positioned theatre at the top of national and strategic priorities, for which I thank them. I would like to welcome everyone, our regular audience as well as those who have yet to discover us, whose curiosity will be awakened by the CNT2 to join us in our artistic journeys. CNT2 belongs to each of you because the theatre is, in its essence, a space of togetherness, said the general manager Hraste Sočo, who in her speech thanked all the artists and employees of the CNT who contributed to the opening of the new theatre building with their dedicated work. In addition to the audience that followed the program in the auditorium of the newly opened building, the grand opening and the program Slava umjetnosti 2.0., the public followed the live broadcast on the First Channel of the Croatian Radio and Television and in the park in front of CNT2 on a large video wall.

The program Slava umjetnosti 2.0. connected the past and the future, tradition and innovation and evoked the program of the opening of the theatre building from 1895. This artistic event brought together the Drama, Opera and Ballet ensembles and the employees of the technical deparment in a unique theatrical ceremony that simultaneously celebrated the history and announced the future of the national theatre house. The director of the program was Krešimir Dolenčić, who, along with playwright Dino Pešut, also wrote the script for the performance, while the orchestra was led by conductor Ivan Josip Skender. In addition to excerpts from opera Nikola Šubić Zrinjski by Ivan noble Zajc, which was also performed at the opening of the main building on the Republic of Croatia Square, and quotes from the first general manager Stjepan Miletić, an excerpt from the contemporary Croatian opera Judita by Frano Parać based on the epic poem by Marko Marulić and directed by Snježana Banović was performed. The ballet ensemble also performed a part from ballet The Glembays choreographed by Leo Mujić based on the play by Miroslav Krleža, and the drama ensemble performed a collage of texts by great Croatian writers, poets and playwrights who have marked the last 130 years of Croatian literature.

With the opening of the new CNT2 stage, the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb enters a new period of its activity with two equal stages, opening up space for contemporary artistic approaches and dialogue with the audience, while respecting tradition and heritage. CNT2 will host its first performance on November 14 and 15, 2025 with a new production of the cultmusical Cabaret by F. Ebb – J. Masteroff – J. Kander, directed and choreographed by Leo Mujić.