Saturday night, the island of Lopud transformed into the epicenter of global glamour as American billionaire and WhatsApp founder Jan Koum hosted one of the most exclusive parties of the year in this part of Europe. The spectacular event, held in the historic setting of the Lopud Monastery, gathered a select group of the world’s elite, who were treated to an unforgettable musical experience by the globally renowned British artist Sam Smith and German DJ and producer Steffen Linck, better known as Monolink.
In an atmosphere bursting with luxury and mystery, Lopud became the heart of glamor as billionaires, jet-set personalities, and VIP guests began arriving on the island throughout the afternoon. Some of the attendees arrived by helicopter, landing on Nebula, Koum’s luxurious yacht, which has been anchored in the Elaphiti archipelago for days. Although there were rumors that Alicia Keys might make an appearance, she did not.
The mega yacht Kismet sailed into Lopud Bay and, just before 9 PM, used its tender to transport a group of guests to the shore. At the same time, a significant number of private security guards gathered around the pier, ensuring the privacy and exclusivity of the event. Unofficially, it was mentioned among the locals that the entire coastline of the island, stretching to the Franciscan monastery, had been rented. Kismet, a mega yacht worth €360 million, has been cruising along our coast for weeks and was recently spotted in Pula.
Thirty-two-year-old Smith, an eight-time Grammy winner, performed a selection of his songs on Lopud. The choice of Smith as the party’s headliner was no accident, as the British artist recently celebrated the tenth anniversary of his debut album In the Lonely Hour in early August. Monolink, currently on tour, is expected to perform on October 4th in New York, followed by two more performances in Mexico and Argentina.
Given that the preparations for this extraordinary evening were shrouded in secrecy, the residents of Lopud couldn’t hide their curiosity as they watched tons of equipment being hastily moved into the monastery.
Jan Koum, the host of this event, whose life story spans from his childhood in Kyiv to the creation of an incredible fortune by selling WhatsApp to Facebook for a staggering $19.3 billion, is known for his luxurious lifestyle. In addition to owning several mega yachts, Koum is also a passionate collector of luxury cars, boasting an impressive collection of 100 Porsches, making him one of the most prominent collectors in the world.
Check out the exclusive photo gallery by Ivan Pozniak to see who attended the lavish party on island Lopud.
