"Marko Marulić was one of the earliest intellectuals who demonstrated how one could be both a proud Croat and a proud European. I am pleased that this festival, dedicated to Croatian dramatic literature for 34 years under his name, primarily promotes those who are currently creating dramatic texts and leaving traces in today's world, reminding us of important themes that deserve to grace the theater stages. Therefore, the Ministry, on the occasion of this festival, awards the Marin Držić Prize with the desire for these dramas not only to be read but also to be performed, to find their place on Croatian theater stages. I thank everyone who contributed to the realization of Marulic Days, invite you all, not only to the performances but also to all the events of this year's Festival, and declare the 34th Marulic Days officially open," stated the Minister of Culture and Media. Concluding his speech by expressing gratitude to the Theatre staff and all partners who enriched this year's festival program, Vicko Bilandžić, the Director of Marulic Days and intendant of HNK Split, expressed hope that "after these Marulic Days, discussions with the Ministry will conclude with the recognition of this festival as a national festival." Extending his wishes for a successful festival to all participants, Mayor Ivica Puljak congratulated the Marin Držić Award recipients.

The Marin Držić Awards for the best new dramatic texts in 2023 were presented to the recipients. Espi Tomičić received the first prize for the play "Others' Warmth." Lucija Marković and Antonela Tošić shared the second prize for their plays "75 Years and Allah Has Not Spoken a Word" and "Painful Children in Flowers," respectively. The third prize was shared by Nina Horvat, Matej Opolcer, and Dorotea Šušak for their plays "Mismatch," "Tigresses," and "Moment Before - After (or Children Leave with Unclouded Eyes)," respectively.

In the official festival competition running until April 29th, ten performances from Croatian theaters and one from Argentina will be staged. Over the course of ten festival days, more than 50 events, organized in collaboration with numerous partners, primarily with Split's municipal cultural institutions such as the Marko Marulić Literary Circle, the Academy of Fine Arts in Split, the Split City Museum, the Marko Marulić City Library, the Golden Gate Center for Lifelong Learning, and the Department of Croatian Language and Literature at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Split, are anticipated. The festival owes its realization to the financial and organizational support of the Ministry of Culture and Media, the City of Split, and the Split-Dalmatia County.