VASHAR FESTIVAL – Music, energy and community in the heart of Valpov

In the past few hours, we had the opportunity to do one of our very first interviews with a festival that, in our opinion, not many people know about. This is the story of a festival located in Croatia called Vashar Festival.

The festival was founded in the small Croatian town of Valpovo and has grown from a local project into an event that now brings together hundreds of young people, alternative music fans, and artists from various parts of the region. Vashar Festival is not just an ordinary music event — it represents community, energy, and a space for free expression.

Behind the festival is young organizer Fran Ivanković, who came up with the idea at just 17 years old. After returning from concerts with his band, he felt that his hometown was missing the kind of atmosphere he experienced at shows and festivals. He decided to create his own event.

The beginnings were not easy. With little experience, he approached the local municipality, presented his concept, and managed to secure a small initial budget. The very first edition was free of charge and attracted around 300 visitors, which the organizers considered a great success.

Later, a non-profit organization called Udruga Vashar was founded, which now oversees the festival as well as other smaller music events.

It is more than just music

What makes Vashar Festival special is not only the music, but especially the atmosphere. Rock and alternative festivals create a space for meeting new people, building connections, and fostering a sense of belonging. The organizers also place strong emphasis on safety. During the festival, they cooperate with professional security services and aim to ensure the comfort and well-being of all visitors. Looking to the future, they plan to expand the festival further — bringing in bigger names, including international acts, extending the duration of the festival, and possibly moving the event to a larger venue over time.

Alternative scene as the main identity

One of the biggest challenges in organizing the festival is financing. Since the Vashar lineup is focused mainly on alternative music genres, the organizers often face a lack of understanding from larger brands and sponsors.

However, the alternative community is also considered one of the most loyal and authentic groups of fans. For this reason, the festival maintains its independence and strong identity.

The program is built on a balance between well-known headliners and local or underground artists. Visitors come for the bigger names but also get the chance to discover new musicians.

Festival chaos and unexpected challenges

The festival is organized by a team of around seven people. During the event itself, natural chaos takes over — technical issues, schedule changes, or unpredictable weather. One of the most difficult moments happened during last year's edition, when it started raining on the first day and one of the speakers broke down during soundcheck. Despite this, visitors kept arriving, setting up tents, and waiting for the gates to open.

This support motivated the organizers not to give up, to solve the technical problems, and to continue with the program.