New East Digital Archive

Spring breakers: how a long, hot, hedonistic summer began on the Dalmatian coast

21 October 2016

Zrće, located on the Dalmatian island of Pag boasts a long stretch of white pebbled beach and an azure sea. The main attraction In the summer months, however, is its totally uninhibited 24/7 parties that have earned the island its reputation as Croatia’s Ibiza. Bucharest-based photographer Dorel Frumusanu first stumbled across Zrće in 2015 while shooting a project on the Dalmatian coast. “By chance, I found myself at the opening party of the season, ‘Zrće spring break’. I was surprised by the sheer number of youth that come from all over Europe specifically to party here for a few days in a row,” the Romanian photographer recalls. Taking in everything from beer pong to foam parties, Frumusanu’s photos place us in the heart and soul of the hedonistic paradise fuelled by cheap cocktails, crazy costumes and absolute chaos. But as even he quickly learned, unbridled fun comes at a price. “During the five long days I had to drive my van to the opposite part of the island to find some peace and quiet each night, but even there I couldn’t get away from house music,” Frumusanu jokes.