Croatian Institute of Public Administration International Conference 2013.

IPSA 2013.

Social and cultural program

Organized dinner on Saturday, April 6, 2013 (approx. 25 EUR per person)

One joint dinner for speakers and participants will be coordinated by the Conference organizer on Saturday April 6 at 19:00 at the Restaurant Mimoza, only 150 m from CAAS in the direction of the Old Town, vis-à-vis Hilton Imperial hotel. The dinner price of approx. 25 EUR per person includes a welcome drink, three-course meal (it is possible to choose between a meat and a fish menu), water and one additional drink (juice, beer or wine). For all participants interested in joining dinner please contact Daria Dubajic. Also, there is no need to make payment before, but at the spot after the dinner.

Half-day guided cultural and gastronomic excursion for conference participants on Sunday, April 7, 2013 (60 EUR per person, transfer, full guidance and late lunch included)

Departure at 12:00 h in front of the Hilton Imperial hotel (vis-à-vis CAAS). The bus will take us to Cavtat, a charming and peaceful small town in the bay 19 km southeast of Dubrovnik. The local guide will show us around and we will have some free time to take photographs, sip coffee by the seaside, take a pleasant walk or shop local souvenirs.

Our next stop will be the Konavle region, starting from 3 km southeast of Cavtat. It is situated in the most southern part of Dubrovnik near the border with neighbouring Monte Negro. The unique scenery of this region is characterized by a fertile field, intersected by three small rivers situated between Adriatic sea and mountainous hinterland. This area is known by its quality and autochthonous stone architecture, agriculture and highly rich cultural tradition of hand-made crafts. First the bus will take us up to the Konavle hills- Gabrili and Mihanići, where one can enjoy the breathtaking view of Župa dubrovačka bay, Cavtat and nearby islands, Konavle field, Dubrovnik (Čilipi) airport as well as the Old Town of Dubrovnik with the Old Port and the legendary Island of Lokrum on the west. There are also some cultural remainings in Konavle hills. This area is also known by its Konavle embroidery whose tradition is kept up today. The area of Konavle is a very attractive touristic location and is conveniently accessible because of the Čilipi airport and Adriatic tourist highway.

At 17:00 h we will stop at a rural house Novaković (Čilipi) where we will have lunch. This rural house is partly several hundred years old, upgraded throughout time until it reached its current shape. The authentic interior illustrates rural life. Since 2000 it has become a part of the household situated in the charming rural setting which gives you an idea of an ancient village life. The house tavern offers a traditional menu, adjusted to contemporary cuisine requirements. Several kinds of wine, brandy, home-made bread, cheese, prosciutto, baked meat and home-made cakes will be served. The food is mainly home-grown, and the olive oil is produced from local sorts. In the tavern there is also a wine cellar, a display room and a retail space. You are welcome to visit the garden part where agricultural goods (vineyards and orchards) and stable for farm animals (cows, sheep and chickens) find place. There is also a small museum with ethno exhibits presenting history of Konavle region. Return to Dubrovnik is scheduled for 21:00 h. For all participants interested in excursion please contact Daria Dubajic. Also, there is no need to make payment before arrival to Dubrovnik.

Cultural program for Conference participants
  • The Director of the Dubrovnik Museums has kindly granted free entry for all conference participants to all museum venues (Culture and History Museum/Rector's Palace, Maritime Museum, Archaeological Museum, Etnographic Museum). Conference participants will receive a city map in the conference kit with the map of locations for each museum and will have to show the conference badge at the museum entrance. More info is available on the website of Dubrovnik Museums.
  • The Association for Dubrovnik City Walls has kindly approved free entrance for the City Walls. Conference participants will have to show the conference badge at the City Walls entrance. More info is available at Dubrovnik City Walls website
  • On Wednesday April 4th, the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra will be performing at the Revelin Fortress at 20:30 h. The repertoire includes the musical opus of Urs Schneider, G.F. Händel, P. Wilhousky and W.A. Mozart. Organizer has provided twenty (20) free tickets for conference participants.

Other cultural events
  • Traditional Dubrovnik Easter Fair will be held in and around the Old Town from 27 March 27 till April 7 2013 where numerous craftsmen and artisans from Dubrovnik will exhibit and sell their products.
    ▪ AKLAPELA (Dalmatian songs festival) will be held for the 2nd time in the Old Town from 5-7 April 2013. Aklapela, a festival of the best Croatian klapas nourishes the authentic klapa singing, which has been included in the UNESCO representative list of non-material cultural heritage. A festival is named by a pun of the words klapa and a cappella. Unlike other numerous established music festivals that are successfully held in Dubrovnik, Aklapela is an entirely national musical product and, with visionary artistic leadership, has the potential to become a referent value of Croatian ethno-music.
  • “Finest works by great composers” concert on piano and violin will be held in S. Saviour’s Church (Crkva Svetog Spasenja) in the Old Town on April 5 at 21.00 h
  • Dubrovnik Chamber Trio concert (program: English and French Baroque, Beethoven and Popular Romantic Work) will be held in Domino Church (Old Town) on April 6 at 21.00 h
  • Sokorčević Quartet concert under candlelight will be held in the S. Saviour’s Church (Crkva Svetog Spasenja) in the Old Town on April 8 at 21.00 h

Recommended Restaurants & Bars

Dubrovnik, a popular tourist destination, is packed with numerous restaurants and bars, especially in the Old Town. Here is a list of restaurants recommended by the locals of Dubrovnik (meaning that both the food and the service are good value for money):
  • Proto, Široka Street (up-market restaurant with excellent food and high-end prices)
  • Taj Mahal, Nikole Gučetića Street no.2. (traditional Bosnian cuisine, average prices)
  • Lady Pi-Pi Tavern, Peline; between Antuninska Street and Palmotićeva Street (grilled fish and meats, authentic home-made food, average to low prices)
  • Nishta, Prijeko Street; up Palmotićeva Street (vegetarian restaurant, average to high prices)
  • Kamenice, Gundulić Square (traditional seafood and oyster restaurant, average prices)
  • Castro Pizza, Gundulić Square (oven-baked pizza, average to low prices)

Note: The Conference program on Friday April 5 and Saturday April 6 includes lunch breaks for all Conference participants. Lunch will be served in the CAAS’s Café Atrium. During coffee breaks between the Conference sessions, coffee and juice/water will be also provided and served in Atrium. Finger food lunch will be served on Sunday April 7 at 11:30 after the closing session in the morning.

Recommended bars:
  • Škola, Antuninska Street (traditional bar/sandwich show serving home-made bread with smoked ham, olive-oil cured cheese and pickles)
  • Libertina, Zlatarska Street
  • Pupica, Cvijete Zuzorić Street