The torch is passed on. Zagi, the squirrel mascot of the last University Games held in Zagreb in 1987 has symbolically passed the torch to Hrki, this year’s European University Games mascot. The symbolic passing of the torch happened on an old graffiti wall on Mladost sports center that used to depict Zagi tilting his hat.
The graffiti was renewed by well known local street artists Bare and Modul who added Hrki as he receives the torch from Zagi. As a symbol, Zagi grew beyond the University Games and has become a symbol of the city itself, with many generations of locals holding him dear until this very day. In the 80s, many walls around the city were decorated with him, but the artwork has faded since. The new games will renew the old graffiti and add Hrki to them, joining the two games and continuing the tradition.
The European University Games will be held from July 12th to 25th this year, in Rijeka and Zagreb, with more than 5,000 participants from over 40 European countries.
