Advent Toy Joy
I bet a simple walk through Zagreb Christmas markets with your family will bring so many joyful moments and memories. We will probably pass each other overhearing similar conversations and storytelling from parents to their kids, inspired by familiar childhood toys that decorate some corners of Zagreb.
Some Disney-themed toys from the once famous Biserka toy factory. Photo by S. Carek, TZGZ
Have you already started discovering all of the locations of this year’s Zagreb Christmas markets? Don’t miss the magical additions that are a tiny bit off the track. I went to the opening of the new fairytaleish exhibition in the Ethnographic Museum: Jasmina Kosanovic’s Christmas Fairy Tale. It will be open until 9 January. Even if you can’t find the time to visit the exhibition, you can come to the very source of Jasmina’s magic: her shop in Petrinjska street, with the artistic dolls on display.
Christmas edition of Jasmina Kosanović’s shop in Petrinjska street. Photo by Božidar Raos.
There is another playful spot you could visit. Actually, some aficionados would be furious if they heard me using the word toy. But I decided to include it. After all, it’s engaging, it’s creative and playful, it includes building stuff, it's awe-inspiring, and brings joy to kids and adults alike. That’s what toys do, right? I’m talking about Backo Mini Express mini train museum in Gundulićeva street, a wondrous world of miniatures.
Christmas edition of Backo Mini Express. Photo by M. Gasparovic, TZGZ
Another corner of toy-joy is to be discovered in Ilica street, where the pop-up exhibition of toys takes place throughout December. A passage of the tallest building in the same street is all decorated with traditional wooden toys. This Christmas season makes a perfect occasion to appreciate the traditional toys in a contemporary setting in Ilica 49.
Christmas scenery inspired by traditional toymaking in the Obrtnički prolaz passage
The traditional toys of Hrvatsko Zagorje, a region very close and connected to Zagreb, are a part of UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. It is a list that cherishes unique traditions and customs from all over the world, emphasizing the need to keep them and highlighting their global importance. The art of typical toys of the region has been passed on for generations and has kept its authenticity. Cute toy horses and toy furniture with typical decorations have been around since the late 19th century. The skillful hands of people from several Croatian regions provided for their families by bringing joy and playfulness to others. There aren’t many families left who still produce the traditional toys. But there are some. Let’s support them and keep their motivation to preserve this lovely piece of the immense world heritage puzzle set.
I stumbled upon this enlarged toy horse at Strossmayerovo šetalište walkway in the Upper Town area.
You can see the traditional toys anytime you visit Zagreb since they are a part of the collection of the aforementioned Ethnographic museum. Their oldest toy exhibit is from 1840! The square in front of the museum shows an installation that evokes traditional Christmases, and the enlarged wooden toys are a part of it.
Did I mention all of the virtual toys that you can stumble upon all around the city if you use the Equinox XR app? There is so much to discover.
Toys make only a small part of this year’s Zagreb Advent magic. I enjoy going for a walk through this year’s Christmas markets and getting fueled with some toy joy!
This toy horse makes a lovely Christmas ornament. Photo: Boška i Krešo, TZGZ
Author: Iva Silla