The jury unanimously decided to award the "Judita" prize for the best artistic achievement in the music program of the 70th Split Summer Festival to the renowned Croatian bass-baritone Marko Mimica and Cuban pianist Marcos Madrigal for their recital held on August 10th at the Gallery of Fine Arts. 

Marko Mimica's recital, a harmonious blend of Romanticism and 20th-century music, was a testament to the power of collaboration. The carefully selected solo songs and arias by European, American, and Russian masters were brought to life by the unity and synchronicity of the two brilliant artists. Despite their relatively short collaboration, the duo provided the festival audience with exceptional musical moments, showcasing a natural symbiosis between voice and piano as musical support and in the pianist's solo performance.

With his rich, warm, and vocally refined voice, Mimica delved deeply into the content and, singing with perfect diction in multiple foreign languages, emotionally conveyed it to the audience. The audience's enthusiastic response, marked by their ovations for both artists, was a testament to the excitement and energy that filled the venue. There is hope that in future seasons at the Croatian National Theatre Split, our Omiš native will perform in a leading role to the delight of opera enthusiasts.

The jury, a diverse panel consisting of Marija Ramljak, a conductor and editor in the Music Department of Croatian Television; Vesna Coufal Jaić, a soprano and professor of solo singing; and Prof. Dr. Goran Sučić, a respected figure as the jury president, ensured a fair and inclusive selection process.

The jury decided to award the "Judita" prize for the best artistic achievement in the 70th Split Summer Festival drama program to the play "The Law of Zagora" directed by Ivan Leo Lemo and produced by the City Youth Theatre of Split.

The 'Judita' award we present is a single award, but there was no shortage of outstanding achievements at this festival. Among several excellent plays, both premieres and guest performances, the award was decided by a majority vote of the jury to go to the ensemble of the play "The Law of Zagora" from the City Youth Theatre of Split, directed by Ivan Leo Lemo, for their collective acting performance. The ensemble's synchronicity, uniformity, tactful acting, genre precision, and skillful comedic acting in all scenes that make up the play made "The Law of Zagora" shine. Thanks to the understood idea of collectivity, the cast demonstrated what theater can and should embody—solidarity, equality, and the well-known principle of 'all for one and one for all.' We sincerely congratulate the winners and hope the next 71st Split Summer Festival will be even more successful.

The jury consisted of writer and playwright Vida Davidović, actor Stojan Matavulj, and Gerard Denegri, vice president of the French Alliance Split.