Google’s Doodle celebrates Croatia’s Statehood Day . On May 30,1990, Croatia establishedA,A, its first democratically-elected, multi-party parliament. Despite forming its parliament, Croatia couldn’t immediately separate from the former Yugoslavia. A year later, parliament finally gained the power to declare independence on June 25, 1991, after 93% of citizens voted for Croatia to become a sovereign state. This event holds the record for the largest voter turnout in Croatian history and is considered one of the most significant Croatian historical events.
Author: Nenad N. Bach and Darko Žubrinić
Yoko Nishii bridges Okinawa, Japan and Croatia performing Dora Pejacevic
The concert is organized by the Honorary Consulate of Croatia in Naha as a cultural exchange program between Croatia and Naha City. Also, as a charity concert, the proceeds will be donated through the Croatian Embassy to support the recovery from the Noto Peninsula Earthquake. The program includes compositions by Dora Pejačević (1885-1923), the first Croatian women-composer. The concert will take place on 19th May 2024 in the Naha Cultural Arts Theater “NAHArt”, which was opened in 2021.
Croats in South America
In this article, we have only touched upon a vast subject of Croats in South America, covering their contributions in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Venezula,… in numerous field of culture, art and science. among the best known such persons is Juan (Ivan) Vučetić, the father of scientific dactyloscopy (identification by fingerprints; on the photo). We mention also painters Kristian Kreković, Zdravko Dučmelić, Gustav Likan.
Ivana Marija Vidović from Dubrovnik in the prestigious jury in France, Provence 2024
Last week, the Dubrovnik pianist Ivana Marija Vidović was a member of the prestigious expert jury of the International Piano Competition Saint Paul Trois-Chateaux. Vidović was in the jury alongside maestro Marc Moncusi from Barcelona, pianist Sabrina Dente from Italy, pianist and organist Christoph Ewers from Germany, and pianist and director Pierre-Laurent Boucharlat from France. The jury chose the interpretation of Edward Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor and with that also chose the winner, twenty-four-year-old Shion Ota from Japan. The second and third prizes went also to Japan.
Valentina Cafolla of Croatia smashes two under-ice freediving records
Croatian freediver Valentina Cafolla has set two new world records on consecutive days in February 2024 at Lake Anterselva in South Tyrol, Italy. On 23 February, Cafolla set a new CMAS Dynamic With Fin (DYN) Under Ice With Wetsuit record of 140m (459ft), retaking. The 140m record was set wearing a monofin, however, the next day, on 24 February, Cafolla became the first freediver to set a record using double fins, swimming a distance of 80. Valentina is a student of the University of Zagreb, Faculty of Kinesiology.
The Metros-Croatia, a Toronto soccer team
Metros-Croatia soccer club was founded in 1956 by Croatian diaspora in Canada. The greatest success was achieved in 1976, when Toronto-Croatia won the Soccer Bowl . This 1976 team was subsequently inducted to the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame . Toronto Croata has been among the most successful Croatian diaspora clubs. There are numerous other Croatian diaspora soccer clubs: New York-Croatia, Frankfurt-Croatia, Frankfurt-Croatia, Munich-Croatia, Stuttgart-Croatia, Sydney-Croatia (Sydney United), etc (more than hundred!).
Hauser – cellist's story from Croatia to global music celebrity
Since that fateful moment when he decided to create a new, musical experience out of the long and established traditions of classical, pop and rock music, HAUSER has been playing arena concerts all over the world and, defying the conventions of the established music business. As part of the quintessential 2Cellos, Hauser has toured the world – from the Royal Albert Hall and the Sydney Opera House to New York’s Madison Square Garden selling more than one million tickets to their live shows. During the Christmas 2021 season, he had the great honor of performing and appearing in front of Pope Francis but he has also given performances to several American Presidents, Prince Charles as well as Queen Elizabeth.
Croatia is Water Polo Champion of the World in 2024
Croatia is the Water Polo Champion for the third time: in 2007, 2013, and 2024. Congratulations to Marko Bijac, Mate Anic, Josip Vrlic, Luka Loncar, Rino Buric, Matias Biljaka, Konstantin Kharkov, Filip Krzic, Franko Lazic, Zvonimir Butic, Ante Vukicevic, Loren Fatovic, Jerko Marinic Kragic, Ivan Krapic, Marko Zuvela, and Ivica Tucak (coach). Prior to this, also in 2024, Croatia won silver medal at the European Waterpolo Championship (organized in Zagreb), which was also a huge success.
Exploring Tesla at the Czech Technical University in Prague – four lecturers from Croatia
Nikola Tesla Network is a Croatian NGO placed in the city of Gospić, very near the village of Smiljan where N. Tesla (1856-1943) was born. This NGO has organized, in cooperation with the Czech Technical University in Prague and the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia, an interesting event entitled “Exploring Tesla”, in which four lecturers from Croatia have participated on 11th January 2024: Dubravka Davidović, Darko Žubrinić, Martina Marušić-Britvec, and Boris Šušnjar (on the photo).
Chriztel Renae Aceveda young Filipino girl singing traditional Croatian songs
Chriztel came to Croatia in September 2020 at the age of 9, when her Filipina mother and Croatian father moved to the town Sveti Martin na Muri. When it is time for her to sing at the Supertalent TV show in Croatia’s capital Zagreb, everybody holds their breath. Without any accompaniment, Chriztel’s sweet angelic voice fills the studio. The beautiful melody of the Croatian folk song “Dej mi Bože”, and her soothing and heartfelt rendition bring some members of the audience to tears. The judges are speechless. Everyone is mesmerized. Even Chriztel’s mom and dad are both fighting back tears.
Peter Tomich Croatian-USA hero of Pearl Harbor has a monument in Ljubuski in 2023
A monument to distinguished Croatian-American hero, Peter Tomich (Peter Tonich Herzeg), was unveiled in the town of Ljubuški in Bosnia Herzegovina in 2023, near his birthplace. For a long time, the origin of Peter Tonich Herzeg was not know. His relatives were discovered in the town of Ljubuški in Bosnia and Herzegovina, neighboring Croatia. We show an educative video about the history of Chief Peter Tomich, who died during the attack of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. This video was taken aboard the Battleship Wisconsin in August 2019.
Anisha Rosna's father Ivica Adam Kalebic is Croatian
Anisha Rosnah, born in 1994, is the daughter of Siti Mariam Isa and Ivica Adam Kalebic, a Croatian, also known as Adam bin Abdullah. Her name is often written as Anisha Rosnah binti Adam (i.e., daughter of Adam), Anisha Isa Kalebic (containing the second names of her parents). She is very well educated, having completed the University of Bath in the UK. With this marriage she became a member of the Royal Family of Brunei. Brunei is the only sovereign state entirely on the island of Borneo. The remaining part of the island is divided between Malaysia and Indonesia.
Humanitarni koncert za Opću bolnicu DUBROVNIK
Najavljujemo početak humanitarne akcije uglednih umjetnika različitih profila ali s istom srdačnom željom u ova sveto doba: “Kupnja suvremenog aparata za kardiološki odjel Opće bolnice Dubrovnik”. Pozivamo svih da nam se pridruže u hvalevrijednoj akciji: samostalne građane, poduzeća i sve pojedince da doprinesu koliko bili u mogućnosti. Upravo Božić nas uči biti boljima, biti dijelom velike ljudske obitelji. Podupiru: Klapa Ragusa, Radojka Šverko, Vladimir Babin, Suzi Sokol, Ivana Marija Vidović, Dijana Hilje.
Miljenko "Mike" Grgich 1923-2023: "The King of Chardonnay"
With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Miljenko “Mike” Grgich, a name synonymous with innovation, excellence, and pioneering spirit in the world of winemaking. Mike’s enduring legacy extends far beyond his remarkable wines; it encompasses his dedication to sustainability, his mentorship of future winemakers, and his unwavering commitment to his Croatian heritage. His Chardonnay was chosen in 1973 for a blind tasting in Paris, in celebration of the U.S. bicentennial. The results shocked the world when Mike’s Chardonnay was named the top wine in Paris.
Bokeljska trilogija Vicka Tripkovića Podnopljskog / uredio Vinicije B. Lupis
Izdavačka kuća Gospa od Škrpjela – Perast u Crnoj Gori, objavila je 2023. knjigu Bokeljska trilogija Vicka Tripkovića Podnopoljskog, koju je dr. sc. Vinicije B. Lupis (na slici) uredio, opremio i popratio uvodnom studijom “Vicko Tripković Podnopoljski (Dobrota, 1870. Zagreb, 1938.), zaboravljeni hrvatski književnik, autor svojevrsne bokeljske trilogije”. Pripovijetke koje čine ovu trilogiju tiskane su u dubrovačkom književnom časopisu Srđ početkom 20. stoljeća.
Vukovar road to recovery
We provide an audio presentation “Vukovar road to recovery” by Thomas Burns. We also provide a description of the drama in the Vukovar Hospital by the end of 1991, when its director was late Dr. Vesna Bosanac (on the photo). Dr. Vesna Bosanac sent numerous messages during several months of Serbian attacks on the city, asking for help. We also add a video-film “Operation Storm” produced by Nikola Knez. Another video contains a song Croatia written and composed by Dr. Drago Štambuk in 1991, musically arranged by Arsen Dedić.
Ivana Marija Vidovic presided the "Ariano International Piano Competition" in Italy 2023
Respected Dubrovnik pianist, Ivana Marija Vidović, returned from Italy full of impressions after chairing the international piano competition ‘Ariano International Piano Competition.’ Being the head of the jury, she emphasized that it came as a pleasant surprise, and the entire experience enriched her. She mentioned that once again, she had the opportunity to represent her hometown Dubrovnik.
Viktor Cizic Croatian pianist performing at Millenium Stage of the Kennedy Center 2023
On the 10th Anniversary of Croatia’s accession to the European Union, the Embassy of Croatia in Washington, in collaboration with the Kennedy Center, presented a concert by Viktor Cizic, a renowned pianist from Zagreb, Croatia. With critical acclaim and a lasting impression on audiences and reviewers, Viktor brought forth a diverse blend of compositions by George Gershwin, Margareta Ferek-Petrić, Davorin Kempf, and Franz Liszt, at times seamlessly transitioning into contemporary music.
PingPongParkinson World Championship 2023 Wels Austria
The PingPongParkinson World Championship 2023 has come to an end. What a tournament it was! New world champions emerged and former champions re-positioned. This was so far the most competitive world championship and with plenty of surprises. We would like to celebrate all players for their determination and congratulate the medalists who took the podium. Global PingPongParkinson movement was initiated by Nenad Bach, on the photo.
Festival Epidaurus 2023 in Cavtat, beautiful late summer in Croatia
Under the motto ‘Living with Arts,’ the international music and art festival Epidaurus Cavtat took place for the seventeenth year in a row from August 27th to September 17th. The festival, recognized and renowned internationally, has made Cavtat the center of the art world at the end of each summer for 17 years, bringing over fifty performers and hosting more than 200 concerts and events. The founder and director of the Festival is Ivana Marija Vidović, Croatian pianist and poetesse.