Addressing the opening ceremony, which took place in the Old City Port (Porat), the mayor Mato Frankovic said that the the tradition was uninterupted, and the door was opened to welcome arts.
Commenting on present-day challenges he said that Dubrovnik "is a city that has been able to respond to all dangers and perils knocking on its door to date."
The 71st Dubrovnik Summer Festival is taking place in this southernmost Croatian city from July 10 to August 25, against a backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic.
About 50 events, including plays, concerts, dance performances and other programmes are planned for this year's edition.
This year's festival budget amounted to HRK 6.5 million, including 2 million from sponsorship and donations.
In attendance at the opening ceremony were president Zoran Milanovic and a few government ministers, European Commissioner Dubravka Suica and members of the diplomatic corps.