Igor Rudan, PhD in Epidemiology from the University of Zagreb, Croatia, and employed at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, is a joint Director of the Centre for Global Health Research and World Health Organization’s (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Population Health Research and Training at the University of Edinburgh. He serves as a consultant of the WHO, UNICEF, the World Bank, Save the Children and other organizations active in global health. He is also one of the Editors-in-Chief of the Journal of Global Health. His main interest is improving the levels of health and development everywhere in the world.
Author: Nenad N. Bach and Darko Žubrinić
1138 years since the international recognition of Croatia and 25 years since its diplomatic recognition
In the 9th century, more specifically, in 879 AD, Croatia obtained its first international recognition when Pope John VIII sent his letters to Croatian prince Branimir (on the photo is a monument from 9th ct bearing his name). Croatia never lost its state continuity, even when it was a part of other empires, kingdoms and states. For example, Croatian Deit is one of the oldest in Europe, and in this sense, Croatia is one of the oldest states in Europe. Its diplomatic recognition was realized in 1992. The Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in Japan organized a nice celebration, in which Yoko Nishii participated with her pianist program that included Croatian and Japanese composers.
Croatian Scholarship Fund CSF in Northern California USA organizing Gala Dinner Dance April 29th 2017
For the past 25 years Croatian Scholarship Fund (CSF) has been providing financial assistance to the financially deserving Croatian university students in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Without this assistance, many of these bright young men and women would not be able to obtain university education. This is made possible because individuals, families, and organizations have supported CSF’s mission by generous donations or have sponsored one or more students. On the photo Marijana Pavić, president of the CSF. The CSF was established in 1989 in Northern California. On April 29th 2017, it is organizing Gala Dinner Dance in Sacramento, CA, sponsored by the Croatian-American Cultural Center.
Miro Gavran's comedy premiere בעלה של אשתי in Tel Aviv in Israel on Feb 3 2017
Premiere of Miro Gavran’s comedy “My Wife’s Husband” (בעלה של אשתי) in National Theatre Habima in Tel Aviv, Israel in Hebrew will be on February 3rd, 2017. The director is Roy Segev, the main roles are performed by Ami Smolarchik, Pini Kidron and Shiffi Aloni, scene designer is Zeev Levi, costume designer is Aviah Bash, composer Ben Nun and light design was done by Yogev Mazuz. Miro Gavran’s work has been translated into 38 languages and his plays were seen by more than three million theatre viewers.
Ivan Lackovic Croata distinguished painter inspired Fumiko Yamazaki in Japan
Ivan Lacković Croata is one of the most distinguished representatives of the so called Naive Art. Due to his paintings, Fumiko Yamazaki visited Croatia in 1990s, learned Croatian both spoken and written, and is known for popularizing the art of Lacković Croata in Japan. As we can see, fine art does not know borders. Mrs. Fumiko Yamazaki founded Lacković Art Japan society. In 2012, the then Croatian Ambassador in Japan, Drago Buvač handed the Certificate of Gratitude to Mrs. Fumiko Yamazaki in recognition of her contribution to the development of the Croatian-Japanese cultural cooperation.
Slaven Bilic distinguished Croatian soccer player manager of West Ham United
We provide an interesting interview with Slaven Bilić, former Croatian soccer player, who described his life and work in Great Britain, as a manager of West Ham United. We recall that Slaven Bilić was the coach of Croatian soccer representation which defeated England at Wembley in 2007, 3:2. Slaven is very open and communicative person, originating from the town of Split, as well as some other top Croatian sportsmen and sportswomen, like Goran Ivanišević, Toni Kukoč and Blanka Vlašić. It is less known that Slaven is a qualified lawyer, fine guitarist and fluent in several languages.
Trio LUR Lucija Petrac, Ursa Vukman and Rea Alaburic from Zagreb to Paris and Moscow in 2016
During the Advent 2016 Trio LUR, consisting of young Croatian classical musicians Lucija Petrač (flute), Ursa Vukman (organist) and Rea Alaburić (soprano), performed in two churches in Paris – famous church of Saint Madeleine (La place de la Madeleine) and Chapelle des Franciscains (7 Rue Marie Rose) on 16th and 17th of December 2016. Their concerts have been organized by AMCA-Paris society of former students and friends of the University of Zagreb, living in Paris. In March 2016, they also perfomed in the Catholic Cathedral in Moscow.
Dragan Bender new Croatian basketball sensation in Phoenix Suns NBA
Dragan Bender (born November 17, 1997) is a Croatian professional basketball player for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the USA. He stands 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m), 102 kg, and plays the power forward and center positions. Bender represents the Croatian national team. He competed for the Croatian national team at the 2012 FIBA Europe Under-16 Championship in Latvia and Lithuania. From 2014-2016 he was playing for Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel.
Ivica Zubac new Croatian basketball sensation in Los Angeles Lakers NBA
Ivica Zubac is a 19 years old Croatian basketball player who sucessfully started his international career playing in the NBA for Los Angeles Lakers since 2016. Born in Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina, he played for young team of Croatian basketball representation. His height is 2.16 m (7.1 feet) and weight 120 kg. Zubac represented the Croatian national team during the U16 European Championships in 2013. In the USA he is nicknamed Zu (i.e., Zoo).
Zagreb Ski World Cup January 2017
To honour and celebrate the history of the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup, Organisers of the Audi FIS Ski World Cup races in Zagreb (CRO) have prepared a 165-metre-long ski slope in downtown Zagreb at which former and current World Cup champions raced on 4th January 2017. Eighteen skiing champions, including Croatia’s most famous siblings Janica (on the photo) and Ivica Kostelić, have competed in the special event to mark 50 years of the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup which started on 5th January 1967 in Berchtesgarden (GER). Other big names joining the celebrations include former and current FIS World Cup champions including the first ever winner of the FIS World Cup, the legendary Jean-Claude Killy, along with Karl Schranz, Annemarie Moser-Proell, Marc Girardelli, Marcel Hirscher, Alberto Tomba, Andreas Wenzel, …
Mirko Cro Cop knocks out Amir Aliakbari to win grand prix Rizin 2016 in Tokyo
Cro Cop landed a beautiful straight left to drop Aliakbari, the former Greco-Roman wrestling world champion, and followed up with another big left before the referee stepped in to stop the fight. “This is a special one for me, 10 years later after winning Pride grand prix,” Cro Cop said on the microphone afterward. … “I can’t explain it and I can’t explain how happy and proud I am.” In the semifinals of the grand prix, Cro Cop defeated Baruto early in the first round with a vicious knee to the body from the clinch. The Croatian star defeated Muhammad Lawal in the quarterfinals Thursday.
Claudio Radonich since Dec 2016 Mayor of the city of Punta Arenas in Chile has Croatian roots
Claudio Radonich is since December 2016 a new Mayor of the city of Punta Arenas on the very south of Chile. He belongs to the third generation of Croats born in Chile, and his great-grandparents (Radonich’s) are from the town of Starigrad on the island of Hvar. Punta Arenas (as well as many other cities in Chile and in South America) has a very strong Croatian immigrant population, dating already since the 19th century. The city has a Croatian Street, Croatian Firefighting Association, Croatian Women Society, as well as Escuela Croacia (School Croatia), Clinica Croacia, Club Croata Restaurant, and a nice monument dedicated to Croatian Coat of Arms (3 m of height).
Surf'n'Fries Croatian franchise products in Moscow announcing at least 100 outlets in Russia
The most successful franchise from Croatia, that was launched in 2009 by Andrija Eolak (on the photo) and Denis Polić from the city of Rijeka, is now set to expand its business into Dubai, China, Russia, the United States etc. Their master franchisor has big expectations and announces at least 100 Surf’n’Fries outlets in Russia. This Croatian franchise is now ready to conquer some of the biggest world markets. Хотите попробовать картофель фри от Surf’n’Fries? Приезжайте в Шереметьево, а потом как можно быстрее в Хорватию.
Zrinski's in Vienna with emphasis on Nikola Subic Zrinski of Siget + 1566
The defense of Siget by Nikola Šubić Zrinski (on the photo) in 1566 entered all the annals of European history in the 16th century. With his 2500 brave soldiers, mostly Croats, he was defending the fortress of Siget in southern Hungary against 90,000 Turks. Cardinal Richelieu, a famous French minister at the court of King Lui XIII, wrote the following: A miracle was necessary for the Habsburg Empire to survive. And the miracle happened in Sziget . Ivan Zajc has composed the opera Nikola Šubić Zrinski in 1876, which is very popular in Japan, especially its tune “U boj, u boj!”. Zrinski’s helmet and sward, kept in Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, have been shown in Croatia in the city of Čakovec in September 2016.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2017 messages from the village of Samarica
Samarica is a lonely village near the mount of Moslavačka gora East of the city of Zagreb. We present its traditional Christmas carols and customs. We also enclose a Christmas message written by rev. Nikola Radić from the largest Croatian island of Krk, as well as two very nice Catholic calendars (the general one and the one representing the island of Krk) created by him in 2016. Rev. Radić is at the age of 80 and he is one day older than Pope Francis.
Josip Sersic author of important monograph about Croatians in Vienna – Kroatisches Wien / Hrvatski Bec
Josip Seršić, living in Vienna, prepared a monograph describing the presence of Croatians in Vienna, from the military history to literature, science and music. On the photo is Paula von Preradović, Croatian poetess and writer, author of the verses of Austrian national anthem. We list some of additional names: noble family of Zrinski’s, bishop Lepold Karl Kolonić, Ruđer Bošković, Nikola Toma Host, Nikola Tesla, Ivan Meštrović, Lovro von Matačić, Sena Jurinac, Clara Martinis, Emanuel Cenčić, Mirna Jukić and many other.
Nikola Toma Host 1761-1843 Croatian physician and botanist has memorial plaque in Vienna since 2016
The memorial plaque to Nikola Toma Host (1761-1843) is placed in the Alpic Garden of the Belvedere Palace in Vienna. Host was a personal physician of the Austrian Emperor Franz I. The Botanical Garden of the University of Vienna bears his name: Host’s Garden (Host’scher Garten), which he has directed until his death in 1834. His herbarium is kept in the Nature Museum in Vienna. The initiative came from Josip Seršić, Vienna, author of important monograph Kroatisches Wien / Hrvatski Beč (Croatian Vienna) published in 2013.
Miran Vaupotic Croatian conductor winner of the 2016 "Haydn Award" in Yerevan in Armenia
In 2016 Miran Vaupotić won First Prize and special “Haydn Award” at the 12th International Aram Khachaturian Conducting Competition in Yerevan, Armenia. He conducted many symphony orchestras and ensembles including London Symphony Orchestra, St. Petersburg State Symphony Orchestra, Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, Budapest Symphony Orchestra MÁV, Cairo Symphony Orchestra, Belarusian National Philharmonic, Pannon Philharmonic Orchestra, Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional Argentina, Orquesta Sinfónica UNCuyo, Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra, North Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, State Youth Orchestra of Armenia, Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra, Zagreb Soloists.
Intersteno international meeting in Croatia's capital Zagreb 2016
The annual council meeting of Intersteno and Intersteno Parliamentary and other professional Reporters’ Section was held in Zagreb from October 5-7, 2016, and was organized by the Croatian Shorthand Association, with Josip Hanjš as its president, on the photo. The event saw participation of 65 members of Intersteno and IPRS from 17 countries: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Finland, France, Italy, South Korea, China, Hungary, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, USA and Croatia. Judging from the results of this three-day event, and the reactions and impressions from the participants, the city of Zagreb was an ideal choice of host for this international event.
Mara Vitols Hrgetic of Venezuela and Don Markusic of Australia describing their bussiness work in Croatia
Mara Vitols Hrgetić of Venezuela (on the photo, of Latvian parents) and Don Markušić from Australia, were guests of Marijan Ožanić in his monthly interview dedicated to entrepreneurship in Croatia. An example of Mara Vitols Hrgetić is quite interesting since she is a Lathuian born in Venezuela, married to a Croatian (also born in Venezuela) Josip Hrgetić, who started the FORUM Centre in Zagreb, aiming, among others, to economically connect Croatians from diaspora to the country of origin of their predecessors.