# Zagreb Design Week and regional cultural programming > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/zagreb-design-week-expansion-and-programming > Updated: 2026-08-12T00:00:00.000Z. Sources: 19. Developments: 2. The 13th Zagreb Design Week is expanding its format to utilize 30 partner locations, including galleries, museums, and creative workspaces, to showcase design within professional environments. The festival will center on the theme of ‘Friction,’ which examines the design process through the testing of conflicting ideas. Key components of the event include the ZGDW AWARD, an international competition featuring 339 finalists from 16 countries, and the Italian Design Day, which focuses on the regeneration of materials and spaces. Scheduled to take place from September 8 to 20, the event remains a central part of a broader regional surge in cultural and artistic programming across the Balkans. In addition to the design festivities, the Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb has entered a multi-year partnership with the Perelada Festival to facilitate the exchange of programs and artists. Other regional activities include the Zadar Organ Festival’s creative workshops for youth, the JazzEra festival in Fužine, and puppet-making and recycling workshops in Dubrovnik. In Serbia, the Krčedín international art camp is hosting 58 artists from eight countries for workshops and exhibitions. In Slovenia, the municipality of Sežana is celebrating its municipal holiday with over 40 events, including concerts and local fairs, while the Zovik municipality in Bosnia and Herzegovina is hosting the ‘Summer of Zovik,’ featuring hiking and cultural activities. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-12: Regional cultural festivals and artistic events sweep across the Balkans A wide array of cultural, musical, and artistic festivals and community events are being held across the Balkan region, ranging from design weeks and opera partnerships to local art camps and jazz festivals. 17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zagreb-design-week-2026-to-feature-theme-of-friction ### 2026-08-09: Zagreb Design Week expands to 30 city-wide locations The 13th Zagreb Design Week will transform Zagreb into a massive design hub, utilizing 30 partner locations for exhibitions, workshops, and creative experiences from March 8 to 13. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zagreb-design-week-expands-to-30-city-wide-locations --- Cite as: Zagreb Design Week and regional cultural programming. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/zagreb-design-week-expansion-and-programming