The 33rd edition of the Zagreb Music Biennale, Croatia’s most significant contemporary music festival, will take place from April 5 to 12, 2025, in Zagreb. The festival will present an exciting program featuring some of today’s most relevant and cutting-edge musical currents, exploring themes of connection and innovation—ranging from contemporary and experimental forms to interdisciplinary collaborations in visual arts, electronic music, and theater. This year’s MBZ edition, subtitled "Broken Connections", is curated by the festival’s new artistic directors—composers Tomislav Oliver, Ivan Skender, and Davor Vincze—and organized by the Croatian Composers’ Society.
Over eight days, more than 230 performers from over 30 countries across six continents will take the stage in about 20 Zagreb venues. Participating artists will come from Croatia, Australia, Hong Kong, the USA, Canada, Argentina, Costa Rica, Finland, Belgium, Spain, France, Luxembourg, Germany, Romania, Turkey, Tunisia, and many others. The program will include over 20 performances, featuring 28 world premieres, among them 12 commissioned works by Croatian composers and 8 international commissions.
In addition to its strong international collaborations and long-standing partnerships with major institutions such as the Croatian National Theatre, Croatian Radiotelevision, Museum of Contemporary Art Zagreb (MSU), and Vatroslav Lisinski Concert Hall, the 33rd MBZ will also establish close ties with independent cultural organizations, collectives, artists, and venues, including ZEZ, KONTEJNER, MaMa, Močvara, and Peti Kupe, which will host the festival’s Late Night program, a staple of the Biennale that showcases globally relevant underground and club music performances.
Inspired by the Museum of Broken Relationships
Drawing inspiration from Zagreb’s internationally recognized Museum of Broken Relationships, the 33rd MBZ builds its thematic vision around the concept of broken connections, dedicating the entire festival to exploring the scale and nuances of various artistic interpretations of this theme. The artistic directors highlight that the idea of broken connections reflects the global trends of isolation and protectionism that have become increasingly prevalent in recent years, while simultaneously reminding us of the importance of reconnection. This thematic framework served as a guiding principle in curating a diverse and innovative selection of contemporary music.
A Rich and Diverse Program
The festival will feature two to four events per day, covering a vast array of genres, including symphonic and chamber music, contemporary ballet, opera, improvisation, electronic and alternative music, as well as sound and audiovisual experiments. Additionally, the program includes performances, exhibitions, discussions, masterclasses, film screenings, and multimedia installations.
For the full program of the 33rd Zagreb Music Biennale, visit the official website: www.mbz.hr.