Episode 138
Dobro jutro, studenti!
Turn off your Croatian pop-songs mix and get ready to learn how to give some commands.
Sometimes you need to tell someone what to do. Stick around and let’s learn how to order people around. Politely, molim vas!
Lesson
To give an order - Dati zapovijed
Close the door - zatvori vrata
Open the window - otvori prozor
Turn off the television - ugasi televiziju
Wash the dishes - operi suđe
Leave me alone - ostavi me na miru
Put down the cell phone - odloži mobitel
Super Slatko Report
For this edition of the Super Slatko Report, DJ Moe tells about one of Croatia’s most beautiful creations. Along the waterfront of Zadar lies the Zadar Pozdrav Suncu. Join us to hear about it this special spot on Dalmatian Coast!
The Sun Salutation, known as “Pozdrav Suncu,” is an iconic and innovative public art installation located in Zadar, Croatia. This striking monument is situated on the city’s scenic waterfront and has become a popular attraction for both locals and tourists. It was built to celebrate the natural beauty of the Dalmatian coast and provides a unique blend of art, technology, and environmental awareness. The Sun Salutation functions as a massive solar-powered light show and is particularly breattaking at sunset, capturing the interplay between the sun and sea.
The Sun Salutation was created by the famous Croatian architect Nikola Bašić, who is known for blending artistic elements with natural landscapes. Bašić, also known for designing Zadar’s nearby Sea Organ (Morske Orgulje), envisioned the Sun Salutation as a tribute to the sun and an enhancement to Zadar’s rich coastal experience. His designs often include local natural elements, highlighting his commitment to sustainable, site-specific art that harmonizes with the environment. The Sun Salutation, like the Sea Organ, contributes to Zadar’s growing reputation as a city that embraces innovative and eco-friendly urban installations.
The Sun Salutation’s design consists of a large circular array of glass panels embedded in the pavement along Zadar’s promenade. It spans about 22 meters (72 feet) in diameter and is made up of 300 multi-layered glass plates. Beneath these plates lie a series of solar panels (Photovoltaic solar modules) that capture energy from sunlight throughout the day. This collected energy is then stored and used to power an impressive LED light show that comes to life after dark. The circular arrangement of the Sun Salutation symbolizes the unity of earth, sea, and sky, and it’s also designed to resemble the solar system, with smaller surrounding circles representing the planets. The size of the Sun and planets are proportional, as well as the distance from the center of each plate. On the Chrome ring around the photovoltaics on the sun are inscribed the names of all of the saints after which churches on the Zadar peninsula have been named. Next to their names and their feast dates are the declination (a form of measurement, using 2 angles to locate a point on a celestial sphere, like Earth) and the altitude of the sun north or south of the equator, the length of the sunlight meridian on that day and in that place on the waterfront, which makes the Sun Salutation somewhat of a calendar. The man that helped plan all these sun specifications is a marine scientist and Professor, Maksim Klarin, who also helped in programming the light shows start and end times for 50 years starting in 2008.
The materials used in the Sun Salutation are both durable and innovative. The multi-layered glass panels are designed to withstand Zadar’s coastal weather, from intense sun exposure to the high humidity and occasional storms. Underneath, the solar cells are embedded in a waterproof and temperature-resistant structure to ensure long-lasting operation. The use of glass and solar technology demonstrates a commitment to sustainable design, allowing the installation to generate its own energy and operate independently without relying on external power sources. The entire system annually produces about 46,500 kWh. It provides half of the energy needed for lighting half of the Zadar waterfront.
The Sun Salutation operates using a combination of solar energy and LED technology. During the day, solar cells embedded beneath the glass panels absorb sunlight and convert it into electrical energy. This energy is stored in batteries and, after dusk, powers a dynamic and colorful LED light display that reflects the changing patterns of the night sky. The light patterns are programmed to shift in various colors and sequences, creating an ever-changing visual experience that mirrors the celestial rhythms above. The installation’s self-sustaining nature showcases how renewable energy can be integrated into art.
The cost to create the Sun Salutation at the time was approximately 8 million Croatian kuna to build, which is around 1 million euros today ($1,056,595 dollars + tax). This significant investment was supported by local government funding and reflects Zadar’s commitment to modernizing its waterfront area with artistic and environmentally friendly attractions. The expense covered the high-quality materials, intricate technology, and labor required to ensure the installation’s durability and sustainability. Since its completion in 2008, the Sun Salutation has become a valuable addition to Zadar, attracting tourism and enhancing the city’s profile as a destination for contemporary public art.
The Sun Salutation operates daily, with its light display starting at dusk and continuing into the night, adjusting seasonally to sunset times. Each night, it presents a unique and mesmerizing light show that draws visitors to the Zadar waterfront. Whether locals or travelers, people gather to experience the Sun Salutation’s enchanting beauty and to appreciate the blend of art, technology, and nature it represents. This installation not only enhances Zadar’s landscape but also reinforces a message of sustainability and a harmonious relationship with the environment.
And is located very close to the Morske Orgulje (Sea Organ) which symbolizes natures communication with sounds, while the Pozdrav Suncu (Sun Salutation) communicates with light; one could easily see them both in one swoop! This one is on my visit list for sure.
And that’s it for the Super Slatko Report.
