Croatian National Theater: HNK Osijek (including 2023 program)
UPDATED: 18.1.2023.
Theater performances in Osijek started to rise in the 17th century, but the theater culture didn’t truly begin to develop until 1907 when the Hrvatsko narodno kazalište (Croatian National Theater) in Osijek opened.
Nowadays, HNK Osijek has approximately 15 annual shows and organizes events such as Dani otvorenog kazališta (Open theater days), Krležini dani (Krleža’s days), New Year’s concerts, and Lipanjske operne noći (June’s opera nights).
With its rich annual program, the theater significantly contributes to Osijek’s cultural life. Today when the culture is a bit neglected in Croatia, HNK Osijek is of great importance not only to Osijek but also to the whole county of Slavonija.
In this post, we cover:
The facts are these…
Croatian National Theater: HNK Osijek
History of the HNK Osijek
The HNK Osijek’s building, designed by a local architect Karlo Klausner, was built in 1866. Its auditorium was built in a baroque style, decorated with elements of Moorish architecture. It was originally used for traveling theater groups.
In 1907, Društvo za osnutak stalnog hrvatskog kazališta (The Society for the Establishment of a Permanent Croatian Theater) was established as it was supported by many politicians and influenced individuals. The theater expert Nikola Andrić became the first commissary and soon founded the theater’s ensemble.
HNK Osijek’s building was restored several times until 1985. In 1991, during the Domovinski rat (The Croatian War of Independence), the building was destroyed by the Serbian army. During the restoration of the theater, HNK was homeless. The restoration was completed in 1995 and the HNK ensembled returned to its home.
In the past, shows such as Dubravka by Ivan Gundulić, Slava preporoditeljima by Milan Ogrizović, and the opera Prodaná nevesta by Bedřich Smetana were performed in the Osijek national theater.
Present days of the HNK Osijek
HNK in Osijek has two operating units: the drama unit and the opera unit. It is one of the most important and influential cultural centers in Slavonija. Some of its well-known theater performances are the tragedy Othello by William Shakespeare, the opera Carmen by Georges Bizet, the drama Krvavi svatovi (Blood Wedding) by Federico García Lorca, the opera Trubadur (Il Trovatore) by Giuseppe Verdi, and the ballet Orašar by Petar Iljič Čajkovski.
HNK Osijek Theater Program
The theater’s program includes drama, music, and programs specific to this particular theater.
A complete program for drama performances is available here.
A complete program for music performances is available here.
The annual program is available here.
How to Buy Theater Tickets
Regular ticket prices vary depending on the type of performance. Price lists are available here.
Online ticket shopping isn’t available, and all the tickets can only be purchased at the theater’s sales office.
Renting the Halls
It is possible to rent the halls at HNK Osijek. You can check the design and technical data here.
The renting price lists are available here.
Headquarters: +385 (0)31 220 700
Ticket desk: +385 (0)31 220 749
Email: blagajna@hnk-osijek.hr
Address: Županijska 9, 31 000 Osijek – view map
Ticket desk working hours
- Monday – Friday: 9:00-13:00 and one hour before the show
- Saturday: 9:00-12:00 and one hour before the show
- Sunday and holidays: closed
You have to pick up your reserved tickets within 2 days.
Find full contact information by the theater department here.
View other Croatian national theaters
Please note: Information provided by Expat in Croatia is only for the purposes of guidance. It does not constitute legal or financial advice in any form. Croatian laws and bureaucratic rules often change, and each personal case is individual, so different rules may apply. For legal advice, contact us to consult with a licensed Croatian lawyer. For financial advice, contact us to consult with a licensed Croatian tax advisor or accountant.
