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 floral parterre in front of Villa Angiolina, 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 – the lovable Smurfs molded in chocolate. It took him more than a hundred hours to make this chocolate sculpture, he made it for the first time, and the biggest challenge was the geometry.
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.
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.
