One club in the UK has been closing every two days between 2020 and 2023 as reported by the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA). This trend of club closures is not only seen in the UK, but all across the Europe. While there are no precise statistics for Croatia, many iconic clubs in Zagreb have been shut down in the past several years, such as Pločnik, Sound Factory, Željezničar, and Rock Star, with Boogaloo almost facing closure as well. The club scene is currently facing numerous challenges due to the aftermath of the pandemic and inflation, and it is also being forced to adapt to the habits of new generations. In response to these issues, the conference Rejvitalizacija has been organized and will take place on September 21st in Aquarius club Zagreb, focusing on the economic sustainability of the club scene.
We spoke with the organizer Tena Šarčević to learn more about the program and what participants can expect. Tena shared insights into how her past experiences have shaped the conference. “When creating the program, my previous experiences at showcase festivals were the most helpful, as well as my participation in two EU projects, Live Incubator and NightSchool. I will give a brief talk about NightSchool at Rejvitalizacija because I think many will find the idea of applying for the next edition very interesting. In short, it’s a program I participated in with 14 others from across Europe, all involved in clubbing in different ways. Over a week, we visited three cities – Riga, Brussels, and Silandro – and in each, we had training sessions that were a kind of preparation for each of us to create our own project. Mine was Rejvitalizacija.”
The conference will start with an introductory panel to address key issues and share various experiences from those involved in event organization. There will be lectures on securing sponsorships, an overview of relevant EU and other grants, and a discussion on opportunities for co-financing international tours and participating in showcase festivals. The conference will culminate with an international guest who will provide insights into how other cities support their clubbing scenes and recognize their social and economic impact. A full-day program is planned with details on speakers and the agenda will be announced this week. The afterparty will feature Lithuanian artist Roe Deers, known for his eclectic style, along with local talents DaYes and Ana. Early Bird tickets are currently available on Entrio.
Showcases and Expextations
Last year, Tena Šarčević participated in the New Faces program organized by We Move Music in Croatia. Along with nine regional colleagues, she attended four showcase festivals—SHIP, MENT, PIN, and Kontakt. These events provided valuable connections and industry insights, which she aims to incorporate into Rejvitalizacija with a focus on electronic music. She advises anyone in the music industry to attend and apply to showcase festivals, as they offer great opportunities to learn from experts and perform for a broad audience. The SHIP festival in Šibenik, happening the weekend before Rejvitalizacija, is also highly recommended.
In reflecting on the goals for the conference, Tena Šarčević expressed her hopes for the event: “I hope that the conference will provide at least some useful information to all participants, show them new possibilities for organizing events, and leave everyone inspired to take on new projects.”
For those interested in attending, applications for the conference can be submitted here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd-cQB5H8CLQ5am0Wrwg_hE5yiGDs14y520jtEppRkxZIY24g/viewform
