With three weeks to go until the fourth edition of Women’s Weekend, which will take place from March 5-8, the festival has once again confirmed its place as one of the region’s most important platforms for connection, dialogue and inspiration. This year’s program brings powerful conversations about health, identity, career, relationships and social responsibility – combining expert insights with personal experience.
ToMa Arrives in Rijeka
Festival participants can also look forward to a concert by one of the most promising artists of the younger generation. Tomislav Marić, known as Tomac, will perform on March 6, 2026, at the newly renovated Pogon kulture as part of the festival program. Recognized for his distinctive pop sound and heartfelt emotion, ToMa will deliver an evening filled with music, energy, and a vibrant atmosphere. The concert offers a perfect opportunity for audiences to have live experience of a rising star who has already won over many fans with his songs and performances.
Conversations, Experiences, and Encounters That Open Important Topics
Alongside a strong music program, Women’s Weekend will feature important discussions on key social issues. The program combines professional expertise, personal stories, and open dialogue about life stages that are still rarely discussed in public. The panel “Sweat, Tears and Hormones: Menopause Without Panic or Taboo” approaches menopause in an engaging, accessible, and relatable way. Through personal experiences and expert insights shared by Dr. Davorka Herman Mahečić, Daria Lorenci Flatz, and Dr. Milena Gašparović Krpina from Croatia Polyclinic, the audience will gain a deeper understanding of what happens to the body and emotions during this stage of life. The discussion will be moderated by the witty Mario Lipovšek Battifiaca. Special interest is also expected for the intimate conversation “Food is the Language We All Speak” with culinary icon Lidia Bastianich. In discussion with Antonija Blaće, Lidia will revisit her roots, family, and the journey that led her to build a global culinary brand, speaking about food as a language of emotion, identity, and belonging. What does it look like to build a career in industries where the rules have long been shaped by male standards? The panel “Male-Dominated Industries, Women’s Careers” will offer insight into the challenges, strategies, and approaches of women operating in highly structured systems. Speakers include Ines Najvirt, Head of the Office of the UEFA President, and Antonija Trupinić, helicopter pilot and Major in the Croatian Air Force.
At the fourth edition of Women’s Weekend, audiences will also explore how much men truly understand about intimacy, sexuality, and partnerships —without filters or embellishment. Special attention will be given to women who drive positive change in their local communities through entrepreneurship and social engagement, as well as to the fight against violence against women and femicide. This year’s edition once again confirms Women’s Weekend as one of the region’s leading festivals dedicated to the exchange of ideas, experiences, and knowledge. Through relevant topics, new formats, and its recognizable atmosphere, the festival continues to create a unique setting for inspiration, networking, and growth.
