"The dress rehearsal also confirms that everything is ready for the inauguration," Mladen Pavic, a member of the president-elect's transitional team, told the press. He reiterated that a record 88 delegations would attend the ceremony on Sunday, including nine heads of state, four speakers of parliament, a prime minister and six ministers.
Despite the cold and grey day, participants in the ceremony patiently rehearsed their roles under the supervision of energetic stage director Kreso Dolencic. "Everything is going great. It will be a beautiful Sunday, ceremonial, peaceful and gentle, just as such a programme should be," he told reporters.
Dolencic would not reveal details, saying only that the programme would comprise Croatian traditional music and literary texts.
The dress rehearsal was watched by curious onlookers and foreign tourists.
Police said that all the security requirements were met for the inauguration ceremony.