26th Organum Histriae – Festival Opening

From August 22 to September 27, 2025, the 26th edition of the international festival Organum Histriae will take place, organized by the Association for the Promotion and Preservation of Organ Heritage. It is the most important and the only musical event dedicated to historic organs on the Istrian Peninsula. This year, the festival once again brings together prominent local and international musicians, renowned names in the organ scene, and young talents, offering the audience seven exceptional and diverse musical evenings in churches and historic buildings across Istria. Admission to all events is free!

This year’s series will last for over a month, starting on August 22 in Motovun, where at 8:00 PM in the parish church of St. Stephen, one of the most promising young Dutch organists, Jeroen Koopman, will perform.

He will showcase his skills on the valuable organ built in 1797 by Gaetano Callido, the most famous pupil of the Venetian-Dalmatian organ-building school of Don Pietro Nakić – Pietro Nacchini. The organ was restored in 2006 with the support of the Croatian Ministry of Culture, the Istrian County, and the Veneto region at the renowned workshop Premiata Fabbrica Organi Cav. Francesco Zanin. After the restoration of the choir loft, it was returned to its original church and inaugurated last year as part of the 25th edition of Organum Histriae.

The Organum Histriae Festival is known for its promotion of Istria’s exceptional organ heritage, authentic performances on historic instruments, and the combination of tradition with contemporary expression. The organizers invite all lovers of classical and contemporary music, history, and architecture to be part of this unique musical journey through Istria once again. They also extend a special invitation to children and young people to get to know the organ and discover the wide range of possibilities offered by the queen of instruments.

The festival is supported by: the Istrian County, the Cities of Pula, Rovinj, and Buje, the Ministry of Culture and Media, the Tourist Board of the City of Pula, the Tourist Board of the City of Rovinj, the Tourist Board of Central Istria, and the Motovun Tourist Board. This year’s special sponsors are: the Swiss Embassy, the Austrian Cultural Forum, and the Japan Foundation.

For additional information about the festival, performers, and accompanying programs, follow the official channels (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube) of the Association and the festival, as well as the website: https://www.organum-histriae.com/hr/.