Our story
In previous years, individual international guitar concerts were held in Baška, more precisely in Jurandvor, organized by the Tourist Board of the Municipality of Baška and the HAL Association. The concerts attracted a large audience, both local and international, demonstrating considerable interest in the events. For 2012, the organizers therefore created an even richer and more diverse program, including opportunities for socializing and sharing a passion for the guitar. The program was named BAŠKA INTERNATIONAL GUITAR FESTIVAL – BIG FEST.
BIG FEST – International Guitar Festival will be held from August 17 to 19, with the intention of becoming a traditional event taking place in the second half of August, after the Feast of the Assumption and the Feast of St. Roch.
The guitar, one of the most popular instruments in contemporary music, is presented through a variety of musical styles, particularly those that allow it to take on the role of a solo or leading instrument.
Each festival edition offers new possibilities and explores the beauty of musical expression through the guitar, featuring Croatian and international artists recognized for their work, with a special focus on young, virtuosic and emerging singer-songwriters and composers. The artists are selected by the festival's artistic directorate, ensuring high standards of quality in both artistic creation and performance.
Acoustically oriented musical styles are presented at the impressive St. Lucy’s Complex, while the electric programs, primarily blues-rock, take place at the Old Waterfront in Baška. The blues-rock evening, with its dynamic and visually engaging stage performances, attracts younger generations while also introducing the other festival evenings to a wider audience.
The St. Lucy’s site in Jurandvor is one of the most historically attractive locations in the Baška Valley. It is renowned as the place where the Baška Tablet was discovered, one of the most important and valuable monuments of Croatian cultural heritage dating from the 11th century.
The Old Waterfront in Baška exudes a distinctly Mediterranean atmosphere, offering the appeal of evening seaside walks combined with musical events right by the sea.
The area around the Great Baška Beach, where visitors can enjoy an afternoon swim accompanied by the sounds of guitars, further establishes Baška as an irresistible destination for music lovers seeking a relaxed atmosphere.
During the afternoon hours, young bands perform at various locations around Baška Beach, creating a lively festival atmosphere ahead of the evening concerts.
In addition to the concerts, guitar workshops are held throughout the festival, giving interested participants the opportunity to learn directly from the performing artists. At the end of each workshop, participants join together for a collaborative jam session and a presentation of what they have learned. Each workshop, as well as the concerts during the festival week, is recorded, with the material subsequently released on DVD and made available for sale after the festival and during future festival editions.
During the festival, an exhibition of guitars by renowned manufacturers and luthiers is presented, or alternatively, an exhibition of visual artworks and photographs related to music and the guitar.
Workshop participants and members of the audience have the opportunity to view and try out the instruments on display and purchase them at favorable prices.
After each festival evening, a small cocktail gathering and jam session is held, providing an opportunity for informal and spontaneous musical collaborations between professional musicians, workshop participants, amateurs and hobbyists.
In practical terms, members of the audience and interested passers-by can not only attend the concerts but also observe the workshops, which are held outdoors in the park in front of the reception area of the St. Lucy’s Complex. In case of rain, the workshops are held alternatively in the Refectory of the complex or another suitable indoor venue.
Each festival day is dedicated to a different musical style, with fingerstyle, jazz, gypsy, flamenco, classical, blues, rock, ethnic and other musical styles taking turns throughout the program. This type of workshop, known worldwide as a Master Class, is highly popular. In our case, it also represents a new and attractive addition to the tourist offering of the Baška region.
Festival organizer: Hal Association
Artistic direction of the festival: Damir Halilić – Hal (HAL Association)
Production of the festival: Tourist Board of the Baška Municipality
Manager of the st. Lucy's complex: Dana Kružić (AZ Agency, Jurandvor)