Croatian war reporter’s, journalist’s and writer’s Ante Gugo’s best-selling non-fiction book in Croatia “Storm Which We Could Not Avoid” first released in 2015 in the Croatian language, twenty years after Croatia’s August 1995 swift and skillful Operation Storm liberated Krajina part of Croatia’s territory occupied and ethnically cleansed by Serb forces in early 1990’s, has now been translated into the English language and its title is “In the Eye of the Storm”. According to Dr. Slobodan Lang, “Storm” was humanitarian operation that prevented genocide. Congratulations on the occasion of Victory Day and the Day of Croatian Defenders on 5th August.
Author: Nenad N. Bach and Darko Žubrinić
Ljiljana Fruk and Marina Prijatelj of Croatian Choco Concept connecting Chocolates, Chemistry and Art
; Ljiljana Fruk and Marina Prijatelj believe that the main driving force in both science and art is the creativity. Artists create new realities, their imagination can run wild and they have a licence to experiment and push the boundaries. Scientists are not unlike artists, they just add a bit more of the analytical approach to exploration. They like to do both. Dr. Ljiljana Fruk on the photo, born in Krapina, Croatia, is lecturing Chemistry at the University of Cambridge.
Air-Pannonia Croatian aircraft company directed by Miroslav and Jasna Vlasic
The Air Pannonia company is a result of the long-standing experience in aviation. The Osijek airport LDOS in Croatia is the base airport for training. The Vlašić family has spent their entire lives in aviation industry, and they founded their first company, Air Tractor d.o.o. in 1993. They own the EASA ATO certificate. Aside from ATO, they also have certificate for the pilots’ English language proficiency, and also a valid flight simulator certificate. It is less known that the same company is also a successful aircraft maintenance company, as well as a CAMO organization. Airplane maintenance is performed throughout the entire territory of neighboring countries, EU and Turkey, where the company managed part of maintenance for general aviation. Air-Pannonia is directed by Miroslav and Jasna Vlašić; Zrinka, their daughter, is on the photo.
Davis Cup 2016: Croatia rallies to stun US 3-2 in Portland
Marin Čilić and Borna Čorić (on the photo) backed up their captain’s belief in a stirring rally, winning matches to give Croatia a 3-2 comeback victory at the Tualatin Hills hard courts. “Today, I knew they were going to bring the quality,” Krajan said. Čilić got in started, beating John Isner 7-6 (11-9), 6-3, 6-4. Čorić then topped Jack Sock 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. The U.S. lost for the fourth time in 161 tries when leading 2-0 lead in a Davis Cup tie. In 2005, Croatia eliminated USA from the Davis Cup with the same result 3-2, and that year Croatia became the winner of this prestigious world tennis competition.
Ivan Mrvos of Croatia designed the best smart street bench in the world
Steora is the world’s best street bench, and its designer is Ivan Mrvos from the town of Solin, Croatia. It provides phone charging and internet to users and beautifies the street. All powered by green solar energy. Steora is more than a bench. Steora is the future of cities. The benches are equipped with an independently developed wireless device charger and two smart USB connectors, providing fast charging for mobile devices whilst ensuring battery protection. Internet access is constantly available within a four-meter diameter of the bench, delivered by a superfast 4G mobile router. The product is exported to Australia, and the product is tested in the USA, Switzerland, etc.
Sandra Perkovic's win in discus trow at European Athletic Championship in Amsterdam 2016
Sandra Perković, one of the greatest Croatian athletes, won gold medal in discus throw at European Athletic Championship in Amsterdam. It is her fourth consecutive win at European Athletic Championships. It is interesting that both silver and bronze medals were won by representatives from Germany. Sandra is the current Olympic and World champion in discus throw. It is indeed rare to see such a dominant athlete at international competitions in the course of the last several years.
Zvonko Vranesic Croatian-Canadian International Chess Master and Professor at the University of Toronto
Professor Zvonko Vranesic was born in Croatia’s capital Zagreb. At the University of Toronto, he served as the Director of the Computer Engineering Program from 1991 to 1995, and as Chair of the Division of Engineering Science from 1995 to 2000. He worked on numerous consulting projects in the area of computer engineering. Presently, he is a Principal Software Engineer at the Altera Toronto Technology Center. He has co-authored five books which have become widely used (worldwide) in undergraduate courses. He represented Canada in numerous chess competitions. He holds the title of International Master and since 2010 is a member of the Canadian Chess Hall of Fame.
Croatian basketball representation qualified for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio by defeating Italian team
In dramatic finals of the basketball tournament in Italy, Croatian team defeated Italian team in Torino, thus securing its participation at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. Croatia has a very young team, and its victories under the guidance of Aleksandar Petrović, against very strong Greek and Italian temas are a pleasant surprise. Among better known players, we mention Dario Šarić, Krunoslav Simon, Darko Planinic (on the photo) and Bojan Bogdanović. Aleksandar Petrović is the brother of late Dražen Petrović.
Lipik Streetball Tournament 2016 organized under the auspices of FIBA
The Lipik 3×3 Challenger 2016, organized in the town of Lipik on Croatian North, is an international event in 3×3 street basketball, that will be held in Lipik on July 8 and 9 as a part of the World tour series and under the direct sponsorship from FIBA, the international governing basketball organisation. The Challenger status and the trust that FIBA showed came as a result of many years of hard and devoted work of young people who, 17 years ago, in the summer of 1999, led by the idea to enrich the local social life, decided to organise the first tournament in street basketball. Especially important was the role of Ivan Pušćenik, on the photo with Nenad N. Bach in Lipik.
Goran Visnjic distinguished Croatian-American actor in a new TV series
Goran Višnjić, an actor best known for his role in TV Series ER, was born in the city of Sibenik, Croatia. He studied at Croatia’s Academy of Dramatic Arts in Zagreb. Goran’s first notable appearance on stage was cast in the role of Hamlet at the Dubrovnik Summer Festival. Visnjic’s new venture will be as a co-star in NBC’s ‘Time’ Travel Pilot from Eric Kripke & Shawn Ryan.
PagArtFestival founded on Croatian island of Pag by Lovro Pogorelic dedicated to classical music
PagArtFestival was founded in 1999 and it has already become a tradition to have it opened by Lovro Pogorelić’s recital. Lovro Pogorelić, Croatian pianist, traces his origin to Pag, and the Festival originated out of his wish to help and dignify life of the town of Pag by meaningful companionship of quality through various projects. The town of Pag is a small renaissance town made of stone, a zoning unicum well known not only by the famous lace and cheese, but also by the tradition of cultural events.
Ivana Marija Vidovic Croatian pianist presenting Luka Sorkocevic and Dora Pejacevic in Amsterdam
In June 2016, Ivana Marija Vidović from the city of Dubrovnik had a very succesful pianist concert in the Pianola Museum in Amsterdam. Her program included music pieces by Brahms, Liszt, Elgar and Ramovš, as well as Croatian Renaissance composer Luka Sorkočević and the first internationally established Croatian woman composer Dora Pejačević. Ivana is also a fine poet, and she had the honor to recite her own verses translated into English. After she played Dora’s pieces dedicated to the Life of Flowers , Mrs. Marijke Brekelmans, curator of the Pianola Museum, enthusiastically recited Ivana’s verses.
Goran Colak Croatian holder of amazing freediving WR 273 m and of the Guinness WR 23min breath hold
We provide a short documentary about life and training of most decorated pool freediver in the history of sport. At the time of filmmaking, summer of 2014, Goran Eolak had 10 gold medals from pool World Championships with addition of 8 World records CMAS(5) and AIDA(3) combined. Goran Eolak holds the Guinness WR 23min breath hold. He is multiple world champion and record holder in various free diving disciplines. Guinness WR attempt took place at island Vir in Croatia (20.06.2014), and exact breath hold time was set at record 23 minutes and 01 seconds. These sports are extremely dangerous and require special physical and mental trainings.
Croatia – Spain 2 : 1 at the Euro 2016 in France
Rejuventated Croatian soccer team, with even five new very young players, won in an important match against Spain. It was Spain’s first loss at Euros since 2004. Spanish team is considered as one of the strongest ones in the world today. Especially impressive was the performance of Croatian goalkeeper Danijel Subašić, here on the photo. Croatian competed in group D, and finished ranked on the first place: 1. Croatia (7 pts), 2. Spain (6 pts), 3. Turkey (3 pts), 4. Czechia (1 pt).
6th Croatian Mathematical Congress in Zagreb 2016 hosted 200 mathematicians
Croatian Mathematical Congresses are organized every four years by Croatian Mathematical Society in different university centers throughout the country. In 2016, the Congress had 6 plenary lecturers and 14 invited lecturers presenting their current work in various parts of mathematical sciences, as well as numerous short reports. The Conference was accompanied by interesting panel discussions. On the photo are professors Dragan Miličić (University of Utah) and Ivan Mirković (University of Massachusetts), two former students of the University of Zagreb, distinguished international experts in the Representation Theory of Groups.
Sibe Mardesic 1927-2016 distinguished Croatian mathematician and Fellow of the AMS
Professor Sibe Mardešić: “I have been very devoted and faithful to Mathematics in Zagreb. I dedicated approximately equal shares of my time and energy to research, teaching and organization. I tried to transfer to Zagreb good things that I saw at other more developed places. I paid particular attention to teaching at the graduate level.” Professor Sibe Mardešić is a member of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and a Fellow of the prestigious American Mathemacial Society. He had over 260 lectures at conferences and universities in 20 countries. Besides his native Croatian, he fluently spoke six languages. We provide an interesting interview with him conducted by Professor James Keesling, USA.
Dvigrad Festival 2016 offering a rich program of Renaissance and Early Baroque music
The Dvigrad Festival has been conceived by Alojzije Prosoli and his Musica Sacra / Sveta glazba society, along with numerous collaborators. This year, among distinguished soloists and players, the Festival will host Mario Penzar, Jelena Čilaš, Josue Melendez, Sarah Louise Ridy, Diego Leverić, Tin Cugelj, Martina Klarić, Augustin Mršić, Ema Stein, Ana Jembrek, Anna Waszak, Edmund Andler-Borić, Silvio Richter, Darko Solter, Responsorium ensemble, etc.
1137 years since the first international recognition of Croatia, more than 600 years before the discovery of America
The Croatian Prince Branimir, 9th century, made important steps in strengthening the relations with Rome. During the solemn divine service in St. Peter’s church in Rome in 879, Pope John VIII gave his blessing to the prince and the whole Croatian people, about which he informed Branimir in his letters, the first one dated on May 21, 879. This was the first time that the Croatian state was officially recognized (at that time the international legitimacy was given by the Pope), which, as we see, happened more than eleven centuries ago! On the photo is a stone monument from 9th century bearing the name of Croatian prince Branimir.
FRODDO international Croatian shoemaker superbrand for toddlers and preschoolers
Best friends since childhood, Iva and Doris started Zagy Shoe Shop (Zagy being derived from the name of Zagreb) with the mission of offering Canadian toddlers and preschoolers the highest quality shoe for the development of healthy and happy feet. The two got together with the manufacturer in Croatia who has been producing quality kids shoes for the last 70 years. The first order arrived to Canada in March 2015. The related Ivaneica company was established as a small business made up of a group of shoemakers. Through mutual assistance, updating our knowledge and hard work, they have become a company with over one thousand employees – today a leading footwear manufacturer in Croatia. On the photo Nada Zver, director of Ivaneica, which produces 5000 pairs of shoes for children daily, or more than a million pairs of shoes per year.