PHOTO: Oliver Welcomes 2009 In Zagreb`s Square

Oliver Dragojevic welcomed the New Year with a concert in Zagreb`s signature square. The mayor was the first to congratulate the New Year.

ZAGREB, CROATIA . The long awaited performance by Oliver Dragojevic succeeded in attracting a multitude of people, craving good music, to Zagreb`s Ban Jelacic Square, despite seriously low temperatures. With songs by Zanamari Lalic, Plava trava zaborava, Mila Elegovic and the Gubec quartet, the crowd slowly warmed up for the real music treat which was to take them into the year 2009.

- I`m here primarily because of Oliver, these artists are just the opening act – Zdenka told us, who came with her husband and children.

Luckily for her, Oliver arrived on the stage some ten minutes before 23 hours. The signer, who welcomed the new year in the Croatian capital for the first time, wished Zagreb citizens a good time. His appearance was accompanied by fireworks. Everyone had a chance to sing `Moje prvo pijanstvo`, `Zuto lisce ljubavu` and many of his hits, together with Oliver.

There were many Dalmatians in the audience, who could not miss their favourite singer`s performance. Still, not everyone came primarily because of good music.

- We are here because we have too much money and we don`t want to spend it – Karlo told us, while his friend added they were there due to lack of funds.

Although the square was crowded, most people snuggled up inside the large tent, where mulled wine was poured and traditional sausages ate. Another advantage of the tent were radiators, which made waiting for midnight easier. The sound inside the tent was just like outside it and many people even started singing, affected by the mulled wine.

As tradition orders, when the clock strikes twelve, people make a wish which will come true in the New Year.

We asked the citizens what they would like to come true.

- I would like a permanent job in the New Year – one man told us who decided to welcome the New Year in the main square because of the company and the atmosphere there.

- We are not from Croatia, so we did not know where else to go, and we like Oliver as well – Banja Luka citizens told us, who wished for a lot of health and most of all, happiness.

One of the more interesting New Year`s wishes was to win the lottery and we were especially delighted by Italian citizens, who came all the way to Zagreb to see what the New Year`s Eve party Zagreb style looked like.

Ten seconds before midnight, Oliver started counting down. As the clock stroke twelve, spectacular fireworks lit up the sky above the skyscraper in Ilica Street, thrilling many people in the square, who went silent with delight.

Take a look at the attached photo galleries from the party: Oliver Welcomes 2009 In Zagreb Square and Zagreb Citizens Welcome 2009 In Main Square.