The ceremony was, as usual, attended by numerous dignitaries, including President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic.
"I am thrilled. We live in a free Dubrovnik where anyone can say what they want. I will endeavour to promote Dubrovnik and the Dubrovnik Summer Festival wherever I go," the President said.
The ceremony this year was not the same as in previous years and was directed by TV director Ivan Mladinov and not a theatre director as usual.
Dubrovnik Mayor Andro Vlahusic welcomed that combination of the contemporary and the classical.
"This was contemporary and classical. The summer festival is are showing a new vitality. Congratulations to the festival's organisers. We have shown everyone that this is the central cultural event in Croatia," Vlahusic said.
Around 70 programmes will be featured, including exhibitions, concerts, ballets and other productions during the festival which closes on August 25.