Rijeka

Rijeka, the third-largest city in Croatia, is well located on Kvarner Bay, an Adriatic Sea inlet. With 108,622 people as of 2021, this energetic urban centre is a major centre in the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County. Translating as “river” in Croatian, the city’s name, /riˈeə/ or /riˈkə/ in English, reflects its close proximity to the rivers that have moulded its past and economy.

Threads of many cultural influences entwine the rich fabric of Rijeka’s past, evidence of its sought-after role as a marine gateway. Several nations throughout millennia, notably the Holy Roman Empire, Italy, and Croatia, have sought after the city. This turbulent past has permanently changed the demographic profile and cultural scene of Rijeka. With minor populations of Serbs, Bosniaks, and Italians adding to the city’s cosmopolitan character, the 2011 census reported a population mostly made of Croats.

The city holds strategic importance with its outstanding deep-water port, which has been the pillar of Rijeka’s economy and the cause of its historical relevance. The port’s beginnings date back to 1281, hence initiating Rijeka’s nautical tradition. Its development underwent a turning point in 1719 when it was awarded a charter as a free port, therefore sparking its expansion as a commercial hub. The Port of Rijeka now handles an outstanding 12.6 million tonnes of cargo in 2017 alone. This throughput mostly comprises crude oil, refined petroleum products, general cargo, and bulk items, therefore underlining the port’s important part in the national economy.

The marine businesses of the city form the main basis of its economy; shipbuilding is thus rather important. Important employers and drivers of Rijeka’s industrial activity are the shipyards “3. Maj” and “Viktor Lenac Shipyard”. These facilities not only create employment but also preserve Rijeka’s long-standing marine craftsmanship and engineering competence. The symbiosis between the port and the shipbuilding sector has motivated Rijeka’s growth, which shapes its social fabric and urban environment.

Rijeka’s cultural scene is as varied and rich as its past. The Croatian National Theatre Ivan pl. Zajc, a shining example of the arts, originated in a building initially constructed in 1765. For decades, this ancient institution has revolved around Rijeka’s cultural life, providing a venue for ballet, opera, and theatre presentations reflecting both Croatian legacy and global creative tendencies. The theater’s durability and ongoing importance reflect Rijeka’s ongoing dedication to the arts as an essential part of daily life.

Education has also been very important in forming Rijeka’s identity. Founded in 1973, the University of Rijeka honours an academic legacy going back to 1632 with the founding of the local Jesuit School of Theology. Attracting students and researchers from all around Croatia and beyond, this intellectual legacy has positioned Rijeka as a centre of learning and research. The university’s presence gives the city a young vitality and intellectual brightness, which helps to explain its status as an urban centre headed forward.

Among its most intriguing features is the linguistic variety of Rijeka’s cultural scene. Apart from Italian and Croatian, the city has Fiuman, a distinctive Venetian dialect. An estimated 20,000 people—including Croats, autochthonous Italians, and other minorities—speak this linguistic treasure here. As the ancient lingua franca of this multi-ethnic port city, Fiuman is evidence of Rijeka’s past as a crossroads of civilizations. One still hears the lyrical tones of Chakavian, a dialect of Croatian that enhances the language palette of the city, in the outskirts of the expanded municipality.

Rijeka’s cultural relevance gained international attention in 2016 when it was chosen as the European Capital of Culture for 2020, sharing this esteemed title with Galway, Ireland. This label underlined Rijeka’s special location at the junction of the Mediterranean and Central Europe, highlighting its rich legacy and modern cultural vitality for viewers all around. Notwithstanding the difficulties the worldwide epidemic presented, the year-long event helped to confirm Rijeka’s reputation as a cultural powerhouse and creative city.

Among the most energetic manifestations of Rijeka’s cultural life is the yearly Rijeka Carnival (Riječki karneval). Originally started in 1982, this joyful celebration has expanded to be the biggest funfair in Croatia, attracting visitors from all over. Usually running late January or early March, the funfair turns the city into a frenzy of colour, music, and joy. Traditions of the carnival, such as the symbolic passing of the city keys to Meštar Toni, the carnival maestro, and the election of the carnival queen, mirror the fun attitude and community involvement that define Rijeka’s approach to cultural events.