Unprecedented and original spectacle in Maksimir stadium was thrown by Bono Vox and his good Irish lads of U2. Over 60,000 people sang along with the band for over two hours. Oh beautiful, oh precious, oh sweet liberty - Bono Vox quoted 17th century Croatian author Ivan Gundulić as per Nenad Bach's suggestion, to the delight of the sold-out stadium. |
U2 have conquered Zagreb, Croatia. Unprecedented and original spectacle in Maksimir stadium was thrown by Bono Vox and his good Irish lads of U2. Over 60,000 people sang along with the band for over two hours, including both older hits and songs from the latest album "No Line On The Horizon". Mario Ćužić U2's The Claw - Oh beautiful, oh dear, oh sweet freedom - Bono Vox quoted Croatian author Ivan Gundulić (1589-1638) to the delight of the sold-out stadium. He thanked everyone for hosting the group in the majestic country of a thousand islands. So many emotions poured down at this point along the space stage and stadium into "Beautiful Day". ... The singer greeted the audience with many Croatian words and made an effort, learning many words. At one point, the big screen on the stage displayed a souvenir in front of Bono - Zagreb's Cathedral. Proven humanitarian and musician, he could not miss the opportunity to remind his fans of the problems in Africa, Asia and all over the world. The entire stadium sang "Happy Birthday" for guitar player Edge's 48 th birthday, while after singing the verse for the second time, Bono opened a bottle of champagne and toasted to his friend (who was born on August 8). Reuters Source www.javno.com |
Bono and Nenad Bach Listen to Bono Vox and Luciano Pavarotti singing Miss Sarajevo [MP3] At the end of the song Bono recites "O lijepa, o draga, o slataka slobodo" in Croatian, repeating the verse three times. This was done upon the suggestion of Nenad Bach. See the rehearsal below, at 3:20.
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Ivan Gundulić (1589-1638). Note his cravat around his neck. This is the earliest known usage of cravat in history (1622). Lous XIV was born in the year when Gundulic died. One of the greatest Croatian poets was Ivan Gundulic (1589-1638), who wrote the well known and endeared patriotic verses in Croatian language:
The word LIBERTAS is written on the flag of the famous city of Dubrovnik and its freedom loving people.
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U2 & Zagreb - a perfect match Report from the 2nd concert
On August 10th 2009, U2 held their second concert at the Maksimir stadium, Zagreb.
After Snow Patrol did a great job warming up near 60.000 U2 fans at the stadium, everything was ready for the Irish legends. The band entered the stage accompanied by the sounds of David Bowie's Ground Control to Major Tom and ovations of people who came from all over the world to listen to their favourite band.
From the beginning till the end of a two-hour spectacle, Bono, The Edge, Adam and Larry held their audience in a trance-like state. Bono recited Croatian poet Ivan Gundulić’s verse O lijepa, o draga, o slatka slobodo (Oh beautiful, oh dear, oh sweet freedom), in both English and Croatian as an intro to Beautiul Day. He also reminded Croatian fans to consider how beautiful our homeland is, and to treasure our past, but no more than our present or our future. And if one would think that this was the only surprise, there was more! While performing Mysterious Ways, Bono invited a girl from the auditorium to the stage to dance with him. Young dancer, called Simona, left the band breathless and the stadium scanting her name. Further, U2 thrilled Zagreb with acoustic version of Stuck In A Moment, Walk On dedicated to Aung San Suu Kyi from Burma and with One announced by the speech of Desmond Tutu. True highlight of the concert was, however, the encore which brought top hit With Or Without You. Most of the people at the stadium were so moved they even cried. Finally, the concert was brought to an end with Moment Of Surrender.
In conclusion, that night was indeed a night to remember, and it seems not only for fans but for everyone at the Maksimir stadium. Bono promised to return someday. And Zagreb will wait for him.
SET LIST FOR AUGUST 10th, 2009
5. Beautiful Day 7. I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For 8. Stuck In A Moment 9. Unknown Caller 10. The Unforgettable Fire 11. City of Blinding Lights 12. Vertigo 13. I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight (dance mix) 14. Sunday Bloody Sunday 15. Pride (In The Name Of Love) 16. MLK 17. Walk On 18. Where the Streets Have No Name 19. One 20. Ultraviolet (Light My Way) 21. With Or Without You 22. Moment Of Surrender Submitted by Eugen Divjak, Zagreb |
Formated for CROWN by prof.dr. Darko Žubrinić
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