On Sunday, Ilica (Zagreb) once again became the heart of urban art and collective creation. The festival Project Ilica: Q’ART – CONNECT IN DANCE, held in collaboration with UPUH and the TALA Dance Center, brought together dancers, artists, and citizens in celebration of International Dance Day.
Through two dance zones and a variety of accompanying programs, visitors witnessed the power of movement, spontaneity, and the openness of a street stage.
“When Ilica Breathes Art”
On the basketball court in Dalmatinska Street, generations of young dancers performed, while at improvised points along the way, passers-by were invited to join in the movement – no rehearsals, no announcements, just complete freedom of expression.
Art as a Space for Encounter
For nearly a decade, Project Ilica: Q’ART has been creating a space of togetherness through art. Its mission is not just to exhibit, but to involve. Artists, local communities, children, retirees, students – all are welcome to participate.
“This festival is not just a day of fun – it’s proof that culture is alive and all around us. You don’t always need a gallery – sometimes a few steps to the rhythm of music on the pavement are enough,” one visitor commented.
Creative Presence at Every Step
Art Point at Ilica 83–85 hosted exhibitions by students from the Academy of Fine Arts (ALU), the Faculty of Textile Technology (TTF), and the Academy of Applied Arts in Rijeka (APURI). Meanwhile, Britanski Square became a runway for sustainable fashion and second-hand creations. A children’s program at Ilica 122 offered art workshops and games, while the musical program – ranging from jazz quartets to choirs – enriched the street atmosphere even further.
“Q’ART is not an event – it’s a movement. A movement that fosters collaboration, tolerance, creativity, and the everyday presence of art in the life of the city,” the festival organizers stated.
Dance That Connects
This edition of the festival carried a clear message – Connect in Dance. And that connection could be felt in every corner of Ilica – in a passer-by’s smile, in the applause after an improvised performance, in a child’s hand gripping a paintbrush, or in a couple swaying to the rhythm of jazz.
Project Ilica: Q’ART once again proved that art doesn’t have to be distant, reserved, or elite – it can, and should, be a dialogue, a space for shared breath, and, at times, a shared dance step.
