28/09/2025
In the beginning, there was love—immense love. Love for dancing, love for the breathtaking beauty of Tisno and Croatia, love for the Croatian people who supported us from the very first step, and love for friendship itself.
Five years ago, we came to Tisno for what was meant to be just two weeks — and we never left. Over time, though, we missed dancing and the community it brings. When our old friend Guido Zouk-Vienna Aschenbrenner , the one who first showed us Zouk, came to visit, we asked him to help us create something that would bring our friends here to share this paradise.
Soon after, I went to an SBK party in Prague, in a venue by Charles Bridge where I had once celebrated my 18th birthday. The energy and atmosphere moved me deeply, and inspired, I invited Elvira and Mauritius to Tisno, offering them all the support I could.
Months later, in 2024, the very first editions of Croatia Zouk Marathon and Croatia Bachata holiday came to life. Mauritius had the original idea to host a party at Jazine Beach, bringing his own sound systems, lights, and the first improvised dance floors, laying the foundation for everything that followed. My deepest gratitude goes to him for believing in this vision, taking on the risks, working tirelessly, and bringing world-class artists like Janis & Zoe, as well as the lively souls who made the nights in Tisno’s city center and the journeys through its dazzling surroundings unforgettable. Guido and Mauritius were the first to believe that Tisno could become a true city of dance.
But none of this would have been possible without the support of the Tisno municipality and the locals, who naturally embrace music, dance, and celebration. The collective excitement—from friends, participants, artists, and partners—turned the “birth” of dance in Tisno into a reality, leading to this year’s El SolTisno Dance City edition.
A special thank-you must to the official festival partner Tisno, which risked to stand behind us all, taking on all legal responsibilities and making significant investments to help bring this vision to life. Mayor Kristijan Jareb and Henjak showed progressive, forward-thinking leadership, quickly learning about the social dance and social dance festival world. The municipality itself took on the risks before the police, inspectors, and legal bodies, shielding the El Sol Dance Tisno festival so we could focus solely on creating an unforgettable experience. What trust, what partnership, and what love for this town does it take to do that?
And finally, thank you to El Sol Tisno Dance City Croatia team who took the bold step of creating a new festival and a fresh concept on the beach—away from Poland. It was harder than any of us imagined.
El Sol clients did not immediately see our vision, and ticket sales within the El Sol community were slow. But once again, the wider community stepped in. The Croatian and Balkan dance family rallied around the festival, giving it the strength it needed.
Thank you Dance Connection Zara for your immense, unwavering drive, trust, and power. You stood by us through the hardest storms, and without you, I don’t know what would have happened. Thank you Luka and bachata masquerade for your incredible support and dedication—you are not only an outstanding professional but also a truly wonderful human being. Thank you Jerko Cvitanić and Baila Conmigo by Jerko i Maja for everything you did; words are not enough.
Thank you to the Croatian dancers for welcoming us, supporting us, and embracing us as foreigners in your beloved land of extraordinary beauty. Thank you to our friends for always being there.
A special thank-you also goes to Beach Bar Loca Villa , who saved us from a festival without drinks by completing in 24 hours the legal paperwork that normally takes months. That act of courage and determination meant everything, and we deeply value your support. Thank you to restaurant who literally kept us afloat after an accident struck just days before the festival. When we felt like we were drowning, you refused to let us sink. Thank you for seeing the opportunity that festivals bring to Tisno and for standing with us in the hard work required to make it happen.
Thank you to Josipa Živković Crvelin who played a big part in ensuring that all the festivals could truly take root in Tisno—both through what we all saw, and through the quiet but essential things you did behind the scenes.
All in all, none of this would have been possible without you—our community. Thank you, Tisno and the global dance family, for your love, trust, support, courage, and care. Thank you for the unforgettable moments.
