The captivating beauty of Lopud leaves no one indifferent, and with each visit to this stunning Elaphite Island, often hailed as the most beautiful, a new corner is discovered that enchants with its magical nature, as well as its architecture that bears witness to the rich cultural heritage and history of the island, which has been inhabited since the early Middle Ages.
One of the unique aspects of the Ponta Lopud Festival is undoubtedly the venues where lectures, workshops, informal gatherings of participants, and evening film screenings take place.
Participants, lecturers, masters, as well as Festival visitors will socialize and learn in the inspiring surroundings of some of the most beautiful locations on the Adriatic
The majority of guests will be staying at the RMH Lopud Lafodia Resort & Wellness, a hotel surrounded by Mediterranean greenery, offering an unforgettable view of Lopud Bay. One of the many distinctive features of the RMH Lopud Lafodia Resort & Wellness is that due to its unique architecture and perfect location, every room boasts a sea view, a rarity among hotel accommodations. Particularly beautiful are the views from the hotel’s two terraces, LaBaja and DesArtes, where participants will gather and meet with media representatives.
The LaBaja Beach of the RMH Lopud Lafodia Resort & Wellness will once again host unforgettable evening film screenings, open to all visitors who secure their tickets in advance. The program features five film classics directed by or starring guests of this year’s Festival.
Since Ponta Lopud is conceived as a creative hub and a place of knowledge exchange, good energy, and informal socializing, one such gathering will take place in the garden of the Grand Hotel, an emblematic work by architect Nikola Dobrović from the 1930s and a protected cultural monument. The Grand Hotel is a true masterpiece of Croatian architecture and an outstanding example of total design. It holds value as a remarkable work of modern architecture from the pre-World War II era, a rarity in Europe, especially considering those that have been preserved. In addition to the hotel building itself, the architect also designed the park in front of it, making the Grand Hotel valuable as a preserved example of how modern architecture blends with the environment of a small island town.
Another addition to this year’s Ponta Lopud is “Your Black Horizon” Art Pavilion, which will become the main venue for masterclasses. It is an interdisciplinary project by artist Olafur Eliasson and architect David Adjaye, inaugurated in June 2005 as an official project at the 51st Venice Biennale. Situated on a sloping terrain of cypresses, cacti, and olive groves, inviting interaction between the installation and the Mediterranean landscape it inhabits, it aims to find new modes of artistic and architectural engagement presented through the interaction with the nature and people of this island. Asja Petersen will hold her now-traditional yoga classes in the early morning hours in front of the pavilion.
Learning and exchanging experiences in the intimate setting of the breathtakingly beautiful Biscaino-Bettera Tower is an unforgettable experience, as confirmed by all previous attendees and as this year’s masters and participants will soon discover.
Recognizing the idea and value of the Ponta Lopud Festival from its inception, Francesca Thyssen-Bornemisza will graciously host all participants, masters, and lecturers at the Franciscan Monastery – Lopud 1483 premises.
Gastronomic Excperience
The garden of the LaVilla Restaurant will host “one-on-one” meetings. Since lectures and workshops are exclusively intended for participants and their lecturers and masters, the “Meet your colleagues” evening will take place on Šunj Beach, where all the hardworking and talented people involved in organizing Ponta Lopud can meet and socialize. The renowned Bowa Restaurant on the island of Šipan, known for preparing authentic gastronomic delicacies from fresh fish, will organize “The Tuna Show” in front of the Mandrač Tavern.
As a beloved tradition, the Đorđić-Mayneri Park will witness the planting of a palm tree. This park, along with several other gardens in the Dubrovnik area, holds a cherished place among the collection of invaluable landscape architectural creations dating back to the late 19th century in the Adriatic region of the Republic of Croatia. Within this enchanting park, which proudly stands as a unique highlight of Lopud Island, a guided wine-tasting event hosted by the Festival’s partner, Saints Hills Winery, will also occur.
All information about the program and side events of the Ponta Lopud Festival is available on the official website www.pontalopud.hr and through the Festival’s social media channels.
