Summer on Gardos

By Jelica Tapuskovic

Beograd, July15, (Serbia Today) - From July 6th- August 30th , in Zemun will be held a manifestation called “Summer on Gardos”. Zemun is, for sure, one of most picturesque parts of Belgrade located on the banks of River Danube. In the middle of Zemun are old quarters called Gardos with its focal point Gardos Tower.
The whole architecture of Gardos is different from the other parts of Zemun. It is specified by its position, lane streets with cobblestone and a tower, which is built at the end of the 19th century on the place where was once a Middle Ages fortress.
That tower was built on the most southern spot of the ex Austro-Hungarian Empire. Today, Gardos is known as a favorite promenade for people from Zemun, and all people who like to enjoy in beautiful architecture and view of Danube.
Considering all those facts, City Hall Zemun and people, who were in love with that part of town, organized a Summer Festival of theater and music on Gardos in 2002. During the time, it developed in a real festival of culture. That fact is confirmed by a growing number and blend of various visitors. This is also the longest manifestation in region because it is open for almost two months.
The Summer Festival stage was designed in a shape of an old amphitheatre. Selector of manifestation Ivica Klemenc said for Serbia Today that they made an effort to give to the public enjoyment and opportunity to see something new, something that is impossible to see in theaters during the regular season.
He explains that Summer on Gardos has a concept which implies that Sundays and Mondays are reserved for children spectacles, Wednesdays for short performances as monodramas, duo dramas, poet nights and concerts for classical guitars. On Fridays, the public can enjoy in theater shows played on an open stage, and having their premiers here. On Sundays, the public can enjoy in concerts.
This Summer there are standard guests, like Milan Lane Gutovic, Zijah Sokolovic and music band Garavi sokak”, said Klemenc for our magazine. One of the Premieres will be a musical show “Prayer for South” from a theater of Novi Sad, which was seen only in Edinburgh, Zagreb and Budapest. It is good to mention a comedy “Romantic fools” directed by Mirjana Karanovic, and a tale from Homolje “Muma paduri”. Klemenc underlined that there will be few more interesting happenings, like a concert of Vlada Rackovic band, which is the only bend in Serbia that plays Dixieland jazz, concert of actress Ljiljana Stjepanovic who will sing gypsy and Russian songs, and a concert of Vlada Kanic’s tambourine band.
The manifestation will be closed on August 30th, with a concert of Bistric band and fireworks. In case of rain, the shows will be held in a Home of aviation in Zemun.