Summer is here, even on calendar! Although May was one of the coldest and rainiest in decades, beaches in and around Split are at its best. So are local culture events, because Split is a city of heritage and art.

For a few times in the past this blog wrote about Mediterranean Film Festival, marking that event as true start of summer season. Same happened this year, with regularly sold out screenings at open air cinema Bačvice, and always relaxed, good atmosphere. Considering what is coming in the next few months, it was really good introduction. So, let's see what might be the highlights of summer art and culture in Split, in no particular order.

1. Right after the Mediterranean Film Festival, Bačvice cinema will host some of the finest summer hits, excellent art films, but also classics. Watching movies under a starry sky is unique experience, and even sounds coming from around won't bother you. Same venue will also host some concerts, program is yet to be announced.

2. Emanuel Vidović Gallery hosts exhibition of some of the finest art pieces inspired by forest park Marjan, one of symbols of Split. Exhibition will stay open till September 15. See why this small hill is so important to anyone living in Split.

3. Split Summer Festival opens on July 14, for the 65th time. This festival of drama, opera, ballet and classical music, which also includes some fine art exhibitions, is always one of the highlights of summer season in Split. This year will be the same. Besides opera program (in separate listing below), we are waiting for ballet made on music by Astor Piazzolla and Igor Stravinski, and also drama Caligula/Britannicus after works by Albert Camus and Jean Racine (only for those who understand enough of Croatian). Besides those openings, enjoy two more Verdi's all time hits Aida and Nabucco, plus the most popular Croatian opera Ero the Joker by Jakov Gotovac. Drama program includes nine more Split and visiting productions, and ballet will have total of five productions, including the one in unique space of amphitheatre in Salona. About a dozen concert evenings conclude the program, with Mozart's Requiem as possible highlight at Sustipan park. Festival ends on August 14.

4. Summer Magic of Classical Music is another season-long festival, organized by Music Youth of Split. During this summer, in three venues - Diocletian's Palace Substructures/Basements, Riva and Croatian National Theatre - you will be able to see interesting performances.

5. We already mentioned Split Summer Festival, but there are some events which deserve to be mentioned separately. One deserving such honour is an August 8 concert of ensemble Synergia4, featuring lute and classic guitar star Edin Karamazov, known for his collaboration with Sting, but also praised as one of the best performer on string instruments.

6. Another festival, another star: Piano Loop Festival will host piano great Ivo Pogorelić, who will perform in the Diocletian's Substructures/Basements on August 21. Venue is small, number of tickets limited.

7. Just as summer begins with Mediterranean Film Festival for the last 12 years, even longer it ends with Split Film Festival. One of the oldest Croatian film festivals brings art films, video art and new media artists from all over the world, and is really important meeting point for all artists and art lovers. This year it will take place from 18th to 25th September, in different venues. Stay posted with their web site.

8. Young musicians always get their share of spotlight at MAG - Festival of Young Academic Musicians. This event usually takes place in beautiful Gothic Hall of the Split City Museum. If you like chamber music, you shouldn't miss it.

9. Another recommendation from Split Summer Festival are three operas to be performed at one of the most beautiful European settings, at the stage on Peristyle square, with one common feature - all three are all-time hits by Giuseppe Verdi. Two trademarks of the Festival, Aida and Nabucco, will be performed right in the heart of the Diocletian's Palace, just as the premiere of new production of Rigoletto. This time, as we learned, this classic will get new image, and will be placed in today's world of parties. Looking forward!

10. Museum of Croatian Archaeological Monuments will have one of the most interesting visiting exhibitions this year in Split. It's a unique collection of glass lamps from 1st to 19th century, part of the permanent exhibition in Zadar's Museum of Ancient Glass.