Last night, the eighth edition of the independent Ambasador electronic music award was held in Zagreb’s KUC Travno. The Ambasador Award was held in 35 categories with votes by the professional jury and the audience (public). This year, the founder and editor-in-chief of insite-croatia.com, Gracija Pleština, was a jury member and handed the best regional house edition award at the ceremony.
The world-renowned artist Egoless has expanded his numerous collection of awards for another Ambassador, this time in the “Album / Compilation of the Year” category. Groovetastic was awarded as the best band / live act of the year. Singer-songwriter known for her emotional electro-pop expression Anna Moor with the single “Omnia” secured the Ambassador in the category “Best alternative vocal performance”, and when receiving the award she said: “This is my first award ever. I’m very happy because it’s the audience’s reward and I’m very happy that the electronic and club scene has embraced me as their own because I’m still navigating genres. I am looking forward to all the new projects and collaborations that will be created here!”
In the most prestigious categories of the event industry, the Sonus festival in Zrće was declared the best regional festival, while the Mo:Dem festival was chosen by the audience as the best festival by a Croatian promoter. The title of the best event was taken by the magical stage of Cave Romane, where the promoter BSH organized a party with the most famous DJ of the region with an enviable international career, Mladen Solomun.
Two categories for which there is great interest year after year are those for DJ of the year in Croatia and the region. The title of DJ of the year in Croatia went to DJ Jock, while Runy won the same award at the regional level.
Among the numerous high-quality laureates, it is worth noting that the award for special contribution to the scene was won by the Tripsitters project, which deals with a program to reduce harm in night outs in Croatia. The activities of Rijeka Tripsitters are mainly preventive and educational through social networks and points at festivals, concerts and other frequent places where young people go out.
It was also interesting among the regional awards where, among other things, Andrew Meller was awarded for house release of the year, Billain for bass release of the year, and Sassja received the award for album of the year. The renowned musician from Tuzla won the Ambassador for the second year in a row, and this time when receiving the award she said: “Last year I announced this album at the Ambassador, and now I’m getting an award for it! That’s the top for me. Most of all thanks to the people for taking the time to listen to Chwakka.”
The Slovenian HardBeats festival was awarded as the regional event of the year, and the “MessY” photo captured by Miloš Krstić the Trip Flip at the Exit festival became the festival photo of the year.
The Ambassador award ceremony itself traditionally opened with a few words from its founder, Goran Tomašević, who pointed out from the stage: “We have fulfilled one big goal, which is the gathering of actors of the electronic music industry in Croatia and the region.” In this way, we connect the whole scene, we work on international cultural cooperation and in the end we serve as a platform for networking and exchanging ideas. Continue to be creative and original, and we are here to follow, encourage, motivate and ultimately reward.”
In addition to awarding this year’s laureates, the evening of the Ambassador award was enriched with musical and artistic performances. The Folklorelektro project first presented itself to the audience with its unique DJ set, which combines tradition and electronics. The disco band Groovetastic also played in front of the audience, while SUN U premiered their new song “Inside”. The evening was closed by the renowned duo Dalton Trance Teleport ft. Koorie with a striking live performance of the song “Beirut in Dub”.
The program of the only independent music award in Croatia was opened with the exhibition “Totalka” by renowned photographer Marko Obradović Edge, who presented a selection of his works.The whole exhibition was the photo auction, where funds were collected for the Rijeka Club Manual.
The complete list of awarded projects, collectives, DJ and producers in Croatia and the region can be found on the link.
