The International Astronomical Union, association of professional astronomers and astrophysicists who deal with research, education and development of astronomy is celebrating 100 years of existence this year. Throughout 2019, there will be worldwide events aiming at popularization of astronomy. The year will open with a global event “100 Hours of Astronomy”, taking place from 10th to 13th January 2019. In Croatia, Astroučionica and Astronomsko društvo Beskraj in collaboration with 1postozagrad (1percebt forthecity) and blogger S p e j s are organizing sky watching through telescope on Krešićeva meadow in Tuškanac public park in Zagreb.

With this, the organizers are warning of dangers of commercialization of public spaces such as Krešićeva meadow. The event warns of the possibility Krešićeva would stop being a common place where one can freely organize events for the people, even the simplest ones such as observing the sky.

In June 2018, a call was opened for concession on multiple public playgrounds, including this meadow. The call goes in line with city’s continuous lack of investment into public infrastructure, depriving it’s citizens of common places for free recreation and leisure, as 1percentforthe city has been warning continuously over the past couple of years. With this event, the Croatian astronomy enthusiasts and citizens initiatives for revival of public places join forces to engage citizens to stand up against these processes.

Join them this Saturday (January 12th) at 18.00. For more

information on 100 Hours of astronomy, visit the site and look for events in

your country: https://www.100hoursofastronomy.org/registeredevents