Events

28.
March 2026.
Saturday at 6:00 p.m.

SAX! THE STORY,
exhibition

Saturday U 18:00
Organizer: International Adolphe Sax Association (Dinant) and Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium in Croatia
Free entry
Free entry
SAX! THE STORY
 
From the workshops of 19th-century Belgium to the stages of the world — this exhibition tells the story of Adolphe Sax, the visionary inventor who gave the world its most expressive voice. Discover the man, his struggles, his genius, and the global legacy of the instrument that bears his name.
 
Sax – From Breath to Brilliance traces the extraordinary life of Adolphe Sax (Dinant, 1814 – Paris, 1894), one of the most prolific and decorated inventors of his time. Born in Belgium and trained in his father's workshop, Sax moved to Paris in 1842 with nothing but ambition — and went on to revolutionise the world of musical instruments. His greatest creation, the saxophone, patented in 1846, was not merely a new instrument but a scientific achievement, built on mathematical precision and acoustical mastery.
The exhibition unfolds in two parts. The first retraces Sax's life: his early brilliance, his hard-won move to Paris, his friendships with Berlioz and the support of Napoleon III, but also the relentless legal battles, bankruptcies, and smear campaigns waged by jealous rivals. He died in poverty — yet triumphant in history. The second part follows the saxophone's journey from military bands to jazz clubs, from classical concert halls to pop culture icons, exploring its continuing evolution and the vibrant communities it has inspired worldwide, including Croatia's own rich saxophone tradition.
 
An exhibition created by the International Adolphe Sax Association (Dinant), in partnership with the Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium in Croatia and Wallonie-Bruxelles International.