Zagreb, July 5th. The asphalt is smoking, the navigation system is frantically searching for parking, and for refreshment, "chilled" water or beer are offered unsuccessfully. Sweat and excitement are in the air, and more people are standing at your feet than on a tram at rush hour. Since we in the East are used to a different, lighter and more relaxed rhythm of summer, this doesn't sound as anything, so to speak, hedonistic.

Written by: Katarina Anđelković

In comparison, in Osijek everything is slower, more beautiful, more "drinkable". The Slavonian-Baranja rhythm of summer does not pulsate under spotlights, but under the trees, which is especially true for the weekend of July 4th and 5th, when the second and twice as good, or two times extended, Wine and Art Evening is being held in King Tomislav Park.

This now cult event is Slavonia's answer to the question "where to go when you've had enough of everything". Along with the cheerful musical rhythms of the bands such as Fluentes, Dino Dvornik Tribute Band and Vanja and Nešvil Funk, art installations, exhibitions and performances await you. You can also enjoy local food, and top-quality wines from Slavonia and Danube region wineries. There's no standing on the road, no waiting for the toilet, no sweating in the front row - just you, a song and a glass of wine.

And if you don't know what (summer) wine is, let a true Slavonian tell you. And although we wouldn't mind a cool down with an ice harvest wine, due to climate change we'll be refreshing ourselves with the fresh, and very top-quality, Graševina. If that's not enough for you, cool off at the nearby Copacabana river beach, either on the natural Drava sand or in the swimming pools.

And after a glass of wine, I thought to ask you if you've been to Đakovčki Vezovi?

Along with the best of art and wine, the nearby town of Đakovo also offers the most beautiful and best of tradition. Everyone is welcome to the 59th Đakovo Embroidery Festival (Đakovački vezovi), provided they come curious and hungry. On Friday, July 4, the grand opening is being prepared, when the city becomes a stage for folklore, horse-drawn carriages, tamburitza, and costumes that look like they were embroidered by Photoshop, but were actually embroidered by someones grandma.

This is followed by a parade, a handicraft fair, gold embroidery, Lipizzan horses, ethno-gastro corners – and all without bracelets, a beer line, and security telling you to move two meters to the left. On Sunday morning, a cheerful and festive parade of costumes from all over the world parades through the city, and where else but in front of one of the most beautiful cathedral in this part of Europe.

Are you curious about what's playing at Vezovi? There are many performers during the 17 days of the festival, and for the main July weekend we single out Slavonianske lole band on Friday, Cubismo on Saturday and Miroslav Škora on Sunday.

And what about the inevitable signs of a weekend in the city? Crowds - only at the Graševina-wine stands and in front of the stages with tamburitza players. Nervousness - possibly when someone snatches your last glass of cold rosé. Stress - exclusively when you have to choose between fish and perkelt.

HeadOnEast!