The doors of the jubilee 20th Chocolate Festival have opened in Opatija, with the event set to conclude on Sunday. The Chocolate Magic fair is being held at two locations this year – the Gervais Centre and the Juraj Šporer Art Pavilion.
At both venues, more than 35 exhibitors from Croatia and abroad are presenting novelties from the world of chocolate. Renowned chef and food influencer Leo Jurešić, representing Šporer, presented his 'Opatija Camellia – art you can taste'. Organisers from the Opatija City Tourist Board announced that Sunday will bring the big Choco Crash – Grand Edition at the Gervais Centre, where chocolate bars will be smashed at midday in honour of the festival's 20th anniversary.
Visitors can make their own chocolates and pralines, while students from the Opatija Hospitality School presented 'A Sweet Story' alongside a tasting of chocolate delicacies. Music lovers were greeted by a concert by Pure Chocolate, and a costumed guided tour, 'The Sweet Secret of Imperial Opatija', is also available. The director of the Opatija City Tourist Board is Suzi Petričić.
Milenij Choco World is marking 20 years of chocolate production this year and has prepared a special collection, '20 pralines for the 20th Chocolate Festival'. Visitors to Milenij Choco World can look forward to the Choco corner, Choco Crash – 20th Anniversary Edition and It’s choco o’clock.
Croatian Choco Concept is celebrating 15 years of creative work. At the Juraj Šporer Art Pavilion, it is presenting 'Opatija Chocolate Stories – 15 years of creativity by Marina Prijatelj'. Marina Prijatelj is an artisan chocolatier and founder of Lungomare Opatija and Croatian Choco Concept, and has contributed to the development of the Chocolate Festival for 15 years.
