Interview with KnotNoir : Zagreb in Ropes Festival

We bring you an interview about the upcoming Zagreb in Ropes festival with Mirna, the visionary behind the project and the founder of the KnotNoir association from Zagreb.

Hello! Tell us a bit about yourself – what are your areas of interest, and how did you enter the world of Shibari?

I am a PR professional by trade, although I’ve never worked strictly in that field. What I truly found myself in is event management—organizing things. I love putting pieces together, bringing order to chaos, and connecting with people; that is somehow my "superpower." I’ve organized different types of events before, but they never developed into something more.

I first tried tying about 10 years ago with someone who was also just starting out, so it was very light. Since there was nothing happening related to Shibari back then, it simply stopped. I also moved away from the circles where Shibari was known. Nearly three years ago, I returned to that world and encountered people who tie at one of the rare workshops available, and later at a summer camp.

My first "real" tie had an effect on me that was incredible. At that time, I was going through a lot in my life, and I came out of the ropes feeling so calm and relaxed; I handled the situations I was facing in a completely different way. The camp that followed only solidified that. The feeling of happiness, serenity, and satisfaction was just the beginning of everything the ropes gave me. It sparked a love for tying and a hunger for more. Techniques like meditation never worked for me because my mind never rests, but rope is the only thing in my life where everything else disappears. It brings both recharging and release, deep satisfaction, and a childlike joy—it’s the only place where I surrender everything. Plus, it’s my "happy place," where I can do what I love with those I love even more. Shibari has become the second greatest passion of my life.

Can you tell us more about the initiative itself? How was the idea for KnotNoir born, and subsequently "Zagreb in Ropes," and what prompted you to organize a festival of this scale in Zagreb right now?

You know how they say things done on a whim turn out the best? :D Aside from the camp and the occasional rare workshop, nothing was happening, but I met people and was lucky enough to tie with good riggers from the start, bumping into them wherever I went. Like attracts like, I suppose.

A trip to Belgrade was the turning point. I wanted the experience of a real Shibari session, so I contacted Vlada Vedmovskaya, who lives there. I think that was the moment everything clicked, in more ways than one. It fully completed my understanding of myself and the rope. In the middle of the aftercare following the session, I just blurted out an invitation for her to come to Zagreb. And she said yes! :D

The first workshop took place two months later. I wanted to tie, I wanted to progress as a Bunny, to develop what I feel and receive—and I said, if no one else will do it, I will create the opportunities myself. I connected with Ivan from Shibari Croatia, and we did those first ones together, but life took us in different directions, making it difficult to realize everything I had in my head together. Every new event I attended brought new people, new friends, and new experiences. As the network expanded and more things started happening, KnotNoir was born—initially as a foundation for all of it, but with every workshop, the desire to build a community grew. In the spring of last year, I returned from the first Balkan Bound festival in Belgrade and told Ivan: "I’m going to do this." I had a complete picture of everything in my head immediately... and that same picture is now becoming a reality.

The KnotNoir association has been actively building the scene for some time now. How do you see the role of this festival in expanding the vision of your initiative?

For me, it’s not just a question of "the scene," but the community. As a community, we are small; few people know about Shibari or practice it actively. Outside of Croatia, Shibari is very integrated in various ways and fields—from mindfulness techniques and connection to therapy for couples, processing trauma, and psychological well-being, as well as in the arts and theater. There are so many potential moments that could exist.

But for that, we need people—a wider circle than we’ve had so far. I would love for others to experience what I have, in their own way. I want more things to develop and the community to expand so that there is more content. In the last year, I’ve brought in many foreign guests, we’ve learned many new things, started another generation of beginners, and created a community chat for sharing experiences and questions. The festival came as the "cherry on top." More people in Croatia have found out about Shibari, and Croatia has suddenly popped up on the radar for many practitioners abroad, perhaps encouraging other teachers to come and other people to try it. I hope this continues. :)

Friday and Saturday feature workshops with top-tier names. Can you reveal who the guests are and what makes them special in the world of Shibari?

All of them have been involved in Shibari for a long time; they have their own studio programs, and festivals, they teach, are well-known, and participate in various global events. Each of them brings their own experiences, techniques, and vast knowledge to share.

From Italy, we have Sarca and Winter, who have developed their own holistic technique combining tying with crystals and other elements. From Serbia, we have Vlada Vedmovskaya and Angie, a Russian artist living there who has her own studio, regularly runs schools for different techniques, does Shibari sessions, and started the Shibari festival in Belgrade. From the Netherlands and Belgium come Haag and Lies, long-time partners and Shibari teachers with immense experience. Then we have Ludvig and Frostslavee from Bulgaria. Ludvig has his own Shibari school and technique and is a renowned teacher. My Shibari from Denmark (Bo and Eva) have been to Croatia several times and are beloved guests. They are a couple whose journey in tying together is nearly "of legal age"—they’ve been part of this world and teaching for a very long time. Teddy from Hungary is an educator, photographer, workshop leader, and a master of metalwork. Each of them brings something unique—new knowledge and a new approach.

Sunday is designed to be the crown of the festival, featuring performances and socialization. What can visitors expect from the artistic part of the program?

Primarily, performances by all the guest riggers and their models. Besides them, there are, of course, artists connected to our world or who are part of it themselves. Matija Peček, with his installation (which will be a real surprise) and prints, is a rigger himself and teaches self-tie techniques. Snezana Melnyk from Macedonia is an accomplished painter and artist, as well as a long-time rigger. And our young artist Ivana, who has been sketching couples and ties during our last few workshops and is a vital part of our community.

Shibari can seem intimidating to some. Is the festival (especially the Sunday program) open to those with no prior knowledge, and what would you say to them?

To some, perhaps. Until they try it! :D Shibari is learned; you need to know a bit about the body, a bit of physics, and of course, continuity in practice is necessary. But there are so many variations of Shibari. For example, my friend finds suspensions terrifying, while I adore them. However, she enjoys floor work, and that is perfectly okay.

Shibari offers so many different versions and possibilities, and that is exactly what I want to show with this festival. We were all beginners once, and it might have seemed scary to all of us. But once you start, you discover people who are open and ready to accept you, who likely thought the same way at the beginning. They didn’t get to where they are today overnight. Come and try it, see what it looks like, ask someone to tie you or show you something. You might discover something new about yourself. Through commercialization and popularization, Shibari has gained a certain image online, but it is so much more than that. That is another thing I want to demonstrate with this festival.

We know how vital support within the scene is. How important is it for Zagreb, and Croatia as a whole, to connect different associations and individuals through events like this?

We are small; there aren't many of us doing these kinds of things, and I’m not just talking about Shibari. There is an opportunity for us to grow, to develop, to work together, and help each other so that all the directions we take become much larger and stronger. Precisely because we are small. Yes, I deeply believe in community—not just within Shibari, but across different fields and people. Connection is what makes us stronger, and seeing the bigger picture makes us more resilient. Simultaneously, we can then offer so much more to the people.

Organizing a three-day international festival is a massive undertaking. What has been the biggest challenge for you, and what brings you the most joy in the entire process?

I don’t even know what to tell you because the moment the idea appeared in my head, that was it. The image that appeared is exactly what is being realized now; everything is exactly as I first imagined it. The best part is that I enjoy it so much, and it makes me so happy that I don’t even feel like it’s "work." Now, in the finale, I feel the weight a bit since I still work my "regular" 9-to-5 job.

From the first moment, I knew this was it, and there was no other way. The hardest part was releasing the tickets since the association wasn't fully formed yet. After that, I just had to get everything out of my head and into reality. I am lucky to have the help and support of wonderful people in the community, as well as all the guests coming who have, at some point in their lives, also built communities and shared Shibari knowledge.

Do you have any practical advice for the workshop participants – how to prepare, what to bring (besides rope), and what mindset to come with?

There are no special preparations. Come well-rested, wear comfortable clothes, it’s good to have your own mat, something sweet, and water (though we usually have that prepared at the workshops). Come without fear and relaxed.

Where do you see the Zagreb Shibari scene in five years, and do you hope that "Zagreb in Ropes" will become a tradition?

I hope that with this, we will break the current stereotypes of Shibari, that more new riggers and bunnies will emerge, and that in five years, we will be on the map of European festivals and Shibari destinations. There are some other new things in the plan, but you’ll have to wait for those. And yes, if everything goes well, next year is already in my head. Did you ever doubt it? :D

Where can everyone interested secure their tickets, and what is your main message for those who are still hesitating about coming?

Tickets, along with the event description and all details, can be found on the Core Event platform. You can also find more information on Instagram @zagrebinropes.

Come, because you will see a different side of Shibari, even if you already know about it. If you are curious, this is the perfect place to try, see, ask questions, meet people, and ask a rigger to tie you! :D And for those who simply don't know what to do with themselves on Sunday, there is plenty of content to keep you entertained.