The 18th Chocolate Festival in Opatija delighted with sumptuous flavors and chocolate masterpieces

In a great atmosphere at three locations, Opatija's sweetest event attracted over 13.000 domestic and foreign visitors, this time delighting with a rich program - from chocolate sculptures and exhibitions to exclusive chocolate delicacies, creative workshops and inspiring masterclasses.

The Chocolate Festival celebrated its coming of age this year with a humanitarian theme and spectacular chocolate attractions, drawing many sighs.

The central art installation was an impressive Viennese "cake" shaped like a flowerbed in front of Villa Angiolina, by Marina Prijatelj, who also presented a smaller version of the cake at the Festival as a new gastronomic souvenir of Opatija.

This sweet creation, made using 80 kilograms of chocolate, was accompanied by a richly ornamented relief of Angiolina's facade made of white and dark chocolate, created by academic sculptor Georgette Yvette Ponte.

Belgian chocolatier Alexandre Druart prepared a visual spectacle in chocolate – a replica of the famous Brussels Atomium in a unique artistic interpretation. His creation of this iconic landmark is complemented by another symbol of Belgium - cute "Smurfs" molded from chocolate.

The twenty-kilogram Atomium was put up for online auction, and all funds collected were donated to the Association of Persons with Disabilities in the city of Opatija.

"It took me over a hundred hours to make this chocolate sculpture. It was my first time making it, and the geometry was the biggest challenge. I would like to thank my hosts, the Opatija Tourist Board and the City of Opatija, and the Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium for the invitation and hospitality. I had a wonderful time in Croatia and I am happy that I was able to contribute to humanitarian causes by making the sculpture.He said Alexandre Druart.

The ceremonial presentation of the chocolate Atomium was attended by the Mayor of Opatija Fernando Kirigin, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Croatia, H.E. William De Baets, the Director of the Opatija Tourist Board Suzi Petričić, the Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of Belgium in Opatija Ivan Kovačić, and the President of the Association of Persons with Disabilities of the City of Opatija Amir Maslić.

"The Opatija Chocolate Festival is a wonderful event with very attractive stands offering a variety of tempting products. It is excellently organized and attracts many visitors who are looking for inspiration or are already buying gifts and sweets for the upcoming holidays. The atmosphere at the festival is very warm and family-oriented, which reflects the hospitality of Opatija. I am very glad that Belgium was a partner of the Opatija Chocolate Festival this year, and the participation of master chocolatier Alexandre Druart, who made a chocolate model of the famous Belgian Atomium, further enhanced the event", said the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium to Croatia, H.E. William De Baets.

"I am pleased that today we can welcome the Ambassador of Belgium to Opatija, as well as the excellent chocolate connoisseur, Mr. Druart. I would like to thank them for recognizing our Chocolate Festival and for their participation in providing support and additional creative content. The support of those coming from a country that is so famous for its chocolate is of particular importance for the Opatija Chocolate Festival, but also a confirmation of the quality of this sweet gastronomic event. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the exhibitors for coming, and especially the team of Mrs. Marina Prijatelj, who surprised us with a cake in honor of our high anniversary in tourism.", he said during the presentation of the sculpture Fernando Kirigin, Mayor of the City of Opatija.

Opatija, even after the Chocolate Festival, continues to live in the spirit of this dessert. Chocolate lovers can enjoy special choco-gastro creations and wellness treatments offered by Opatija hotels and restaurants until the end of November.

They can also view thematic exhibitions in the Zora Cultural Center and the Juraj Šporer Art Pavilion, where until November 24th it is possible to purchase products from the Rab-based manufacturer Vilma and attend presentations on chocolate production on weekends. 

"The large attendance at the Chocolate Festival has once again confirmed that this event with an international character is a strong motive for visitors to come to Opatija, a destination that this year celebrates an impressive 180 years of tourist tradition and rightfully bears the title of the flagship of domestic tourism. We are happy to invite all chocolate lovers to the next edition of the Festival from 7 to 9 November 2025, when they can expect new surprises and an even richer and more diverse program.", said the director of the Opatija Tourist Board, Suzi Petričić.

Source and photo: Tourist Board of Opatija