The successful development of Dubrovnik in the past, whose economy was based on maritime trade, was primarily due to its favorable geographical location. In the Middle Ages, as the Republic of Dubrovnik, it was the only city-state on the eastern coast of the Adriatic that competed with the Republic of Venice as Dubrovnik’s ships traded all over Europe.

Along with its wealth and diplomacy, the city achieved an extraordinary level of development, especially during the 15th and 16th centuries. Material well-being, a sense of security and freedom, formed a culture of living in a humanistic spirit. Dubrovnik reached brilliant heights in its urban and architectural development, which has been preserved to this day in literature and poetry (Marin Držić, Ivan Gundulić), science (Ruđer Bošković) and many other forms of art and culture. The standard Croatian language developed from the Dubrovnik dialect, with the Dubrovnik Baroque literature serving as its basis.

The diversity of the Mediterranean landscape with a mild Mediterranean climate that favors lush vegetation, the picturesque location, the architectural and artistic treasures of the old town of Dubrovnik attract tourists and enable the development of the tourism industry.

Dubrovnik today offers a large selection of private and hotel accommodation for the whole family. Families can choose between luxury hotels and villas, hotel resorts and private accommodation. Resorts offer various additional facilities for children and adults, and it is possible to book excursions to surrounding islands and cities that will be especially interesting for children. In addition to a large selection of accommodation, Dubrovnik also offers a large selection of excellent restaurants with local, Mediterranean cuisine. In any case, with a large selection of accommodation, food and facilities, as well as beautiful beaches and the pearl of the Adriatic – Old Town, every person in Dubrovnik will find something for themselves – from the youngest to the oldest!

The program Colourful winter in Lapad Bay comprises diverse programs for the youngest, including the ice skating rink set up on tennis courts and the free Advent train. The opening of the programme in Lapad Bay is spearheaded by the Dubrovnik Majorettes accompanied by the City Brass Band, while the performance by the Dance studio Lazareti opens the ice skating rink. During the festival, many creative workshops for children and youth take place, as well as edutainment workshops of computer programming for children, astronomy and biology, hang-gliding, workshop with drones and rubber-band propelled planes, the presentation of RC (Remote Control) automobile models, theatre performances for children, magic show and the final exhibit of the photographs of all the activities. City bands and local musicians are in charge of good music and live performances, and the especially impressive recital is put on by the deaf and hard-of- hearing violinists gathered under the umbrella project Violinmusic4all.

The program Colourful Winter in Lapad Bay is the recipient of the Award for the Best Action for Children in Croatia for the successfully implemented programme within the 4^th DWF, awarded on the behalf of the coordination committee of the action “Towns and municipalities – Friends of Children”, made up of the representatives of the Union of Croatian Societies Naša Djeca, Croatian Society for Preventive and Social Paediatrics, UNICEF office, Association of Cities of the Republic of Croatia, Association of Municipalities of the Republic of Croatia, the Croatian County Association and coordinators from cities and municipalities.

The programme North Pole Station at the Bursa Theatre enables the youngest to savour the holiday spirit through a number of workshops, creative educational games, fun get- togethers and storytelling, dancing and singing sessions. They can dance with Mrs. Clause, have fun with Župa majorettes, draw with an academic painter, make chocolate at workshops and watch puppet shows.

The Magic of Advent in Lazareti, along with concerts and singing of the traditional Christmas carols (kolenda) by the Dubrovnik Children Choir, also features dance and interactive dance programme for the youngest, majorette performance, storytelling sessions, puppet shows and the Festival of Light, while the workshop Sweet days before Christmas teaches the attendees, among other things, how to make traditional Dubrovnik sweets and Christmas decorations.