We are pleased to announce, that performances of our successful production of Siroe (the opera by Johann Adolf Hasse), directed by Max Emanuel Cencic, will be resumed on April 18th 2015 in semi-staged version at Budapest’s Vigszinhaz. Following this, there will be a performance in concert version in Theater an der Wien, Vienna, on April 21st. The high carat cast will be the same as in Versailles, consisting of Max Emanuel Cencic in title role.
Author: Nenad N. Bach and Darko Žubrinić
Robert Benmosche 1944-2015 CEO of AIG found paradise in Croatia
Robert Benmosche: I was in Dubrovnik in Croatia back in 1997 and found it was a beautiful place. I said to myself, “Bob, what do you want to do when you retire?” I had read an article that said Zinfandel may have come from Croatia. And so I said that is an interesting idea. In 2006, I was able to get two pieces of land. One in Dingac where my vineyard manager’s property is, and another in Viganj, about 12 acres, right on the sea. I chose it because it had these yellow flowers called broom. They say where the flowers grow is great for growing grapes.
Zdravko Basaric i.e. Patrick Hughes Croatian writer of Countdown Trilogy promoted in Israel Jerusalem 2015
The Countown Trilogy written by Zdravko Basarić (Patrick Hughes) living in a small town Sveta Nedelja near Croatia’s capital Zagreb) was first published in Croatian and English, promoted in 2014 at Israeli pavillion at the world’s largest Book Fair in Frankfurt, Germany. Now, in 2015, we have significant news for the readers of the CROWN: this trilogy, which has been published in Croatian and English in 2013, is being published in Hebrew in Jerusalem, the State of Israel, 2015. Congratulations to Mr. Zdravko Basarić, the author of the trilogy, and to Mr. Pierre Lavi, publisher of the Hebrew edition and responsible for international editions.
Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic Croatia's first woman president inaugurated on 15th February 2015 in Zagreb
Mrs. Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic was sworn in as Croatia’s first female president in history. She was a former foreign minister, ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to Washington and an Assistant Secretary General of NATO for Public Diplomacy. She was the first woman ever to be appointed Assistant Secretary General of NATO. Mrs. Grabar-Kitarovic is at the age of 47, and except her native Croatian, she fluently speaks English, Castillano and Portuguese and can also communicate in French, Italian and German.
Nenad Hancic created new font inspired by the Vinodol Code written in Croatian Glagolitic Script in 1288
Nenad Hančić, living in Duesseldorf, Germany, has created a superb new computer font representing the famous Vinodol Code, a very old and important legal document written in Croatian Glagolitic Script, dating from the 13th century, more precisely, from 1288. This is the first font representing the most important Croatian Middle Age legal document. The Vinodol Code was written more than two hundred years before the discovery of America. Congratulations to Nenad Hančić for great job!
Blase Joseph Cupich installed as Chicago's Archbishop on November 18, 2014
Archbishop Blase J. Cupich has been installed as the Ninth Archbishop of Chicago at an Installation Mass on November 18 2014, at Holy Name Cathedral, State and Superior Streets in Chicago. Cardinal George presided at the Monday evening Liturgy and Archbishop Cupich delivered the homily. Among the civic leaders welcoming Archbishop Cupich were Governor Patrick Quinn, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Cook County Board President, Toni Preckwinkle. Also welcoming the new Archbishop was Dr. Jelena Grčič Polić, the Consulate General of the Republic of Croatia.
Miro Gavran Croatian writer will have ten theater premieres in America, Asia and Europe in 2015
In the first four months of this year, Croatian writer Miro Gavran (www.mirogavran.com) will have ten theater premieres: in America (Los Angeles), Asia (Mumbai and Bangalore in India, Tel Aviv in Israel, which will be his first premiere in Hebrew), and Europe (Moscow in Russia, Parnu in Estonia, Prag in Czechia, Zagreb in Croatia). Works by Miro Gavran have so far been translated into 37 languages, while more than 250 premieres have been made based upon his dramas and comedies, which have been seen by over three million viewers around the world.
Ivana Marija Vidovic Croatian pianist and poet had Christmas concert in Tirana in Albania Dec 2014
After the concert of Ivana Marija Vidović in Tirana in April 2014, in front of a large audience, in the main hall of the Academy of Arts “Akademia e Arteve” at the festival FLAUTE MAGJIK, a new invitation has followed in December. Vidović took part at the Piano Festival Pianodrom in the same hall of the Academy and under the artistic direction of maestro Fatos Qerimaj, Vidović performed mainly Hispanic repertoire and one work by an Albanian author T. Harapi.
Bunjevci Croats from Backa and their Christmas traditions expressed in straw and cakes
Straw work is a unique naive art form which originates from the rich folk art of the Bunjevci-Croats settled in the north of Bačka. In Tavankut, a village near the town Subotica, the self-taught women nourish and preserve this naive art skill by entwining beads and making paintings out of straw which portray specific motifs and themes from the life of the Bunjevci-Croats. Also, delicious and richly ornamented Christmas cakes called božičnjak are prepared. On the photo Christmas cake by Dubravka Vrbljanac. With this article we wish you a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Mia Slavenska Croatian-American ballerina broadcast premiere "Mia, a Dancer's Journey"
“Mia, a dancer’s journey” aired November 20th on PBS SoCaL in Southern California and received great ratings and great reviews in the press! Viewers can catch an encore of the film on PBS SoCaL, Thursday, January 29, 2015 at 9 pm! In February, the film will be released to PBS stations across the country and millions of Americans will have access to this film on television. This is the first time a film like this about a Croatian American ballerina has been distributed nationally on Public Television and we are very happy about this accomplishment. Adding to the excitement, the film will have a film festival premiere at the Lincoln Center in New York in January, 2015.
Responsorium Ensemble Zagreb interpreting Early Baroque music of C. Monteverdi
Mario Penzar, cembalo and artistic guidance
Patrick Hughes Croatian writer guest of Israeli pavilion at the 2014 Frankfurt Book Fair
Patrick Hughes (Zdravko Basarić), Croatian writer, had the honor to participate with his Countdown Trilogy in the pavilion of the State of Israel during the largest book fair in the world in Frankfurt (8-10th of October 2014). Thanks to his publisher for global market Mr. Pierre Lavi, the books are translating into Hebrew. The philosophy of Patrick Hughes is condensed in the following words: “Words and bullets kill, but I prefer to create good words rather than bullets. Help me create words of peace for all humanity”.
PhotoMath smart camera calculator and PhotoPay created by Jurica Cerovec and his colleagues in Croatia
It’s really stunning: the PhotoMath video on Vimeo has very quickly reached 2 million views. Their web page has over 9000 page views each minute, and the iOS app alone was downloaded more than 1.6M times in less than three days in the Automn 2014, becoming the top free app in most countries around the world. It has been created by Jurica Cerovec and his colleagues at MicroBLINK in Croatia. Their products have recently been shown with great success in London, and they have created enormous interest throughout the world. They open completely new perspectives in education and other areas.
Miro Gavran Croatian playwright to have eight premieres in eight countries
In the next two months, November and December 2014, the Croatian playwright Miro Gavran will have eight theatrical premieres in eight different countries: Russia, Czechia, Slovenia, Romaina, Serbia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzgovina and in Poland. This rich theatrical series starts on November 6th with the premiere of Gavran’s drama “All About Men”, in the famous Russian theater RED TORCH from Novosibirsk. Miro Gavran’s works have so far been translated into 35 languages. There have been over 250 theatrical premieres worldwide of his dramas and comedies.
Silvije Vidovic distinguished Croatian pianist in the USA
While having played hundreds of concerts throughout Europe and the U.S., Silvije Vidovic continues to excel through his genuine artistry and profound performances. Mr. Vidovic’s extraordinary musical talents come by no surprise as he was born into a family of musicians, and by the age of eight was giving performances in his hometown of Karlovac, Croatia. Presently, Silvije is a lecturer professor at the Florida International University, Lynn University, and at the University of Miami.
Cedomir Antolic distinguished Croatian spiritual singer, composer and songwriter
Čedomir Antolić is distinguished spiritual singer, composer and songwriter in Croatia, active since the early 1970s, a person of unique vocal color and of rare musicality. He is usually accompaning himself with his guitar, singing his beautiful verses and. Mr. Antolić founded several spiritual music groups in the city of Zagreb, and for the last several years he had very successful collaboration with Željka Marinović. Mr. Čedo Antolić also had several public appearances with Nenad Bach. His music style ranges from butterfly tenderness to volcanic force. Equally impressive are his colorful improvizations as a background vocal accompaning other singers.
Ana Vidovic playing and teaching classical guitar in Sao Paulo in Brazil 2013
Ana Vidović is one of the youngest virtuoso guitarists in the world. Ana started playing guitar at the age of 5, and by 7 had given her first public performance. At the age of 11 she was performing internationally, and at 13 became the youngest student to attend the prestigious National Musical Academy in Zagreb, Croatia. Ana has won an impressive number of prizes and international competitions all over the world. Ana Vidović had a great honor to open the 4th International Guitar Festival “Leo Brouwer” in Brazil with her concert program, and she also had a guitar masterclass in Sao Paulo.
Pope Frances appoints bishop Blase J. Cupich Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Chicago
His Holiness Pope Francis has appointed the Bishop of Spokane, Washington, Most Reverend Blase J. Cupich, as the ninth Archbishop of Chicago, the Vatican announced in September 2014. Archbishop Cupich will be installed as Archbishop of Chicago on November 18, 2014, at Holy Name Cathedral. Archbishop Cupich was born on in 1949 in Omaha, Nebraska, to Blase and Mary (Mayhan) Cupich. He is one of nine children, five sisters and three brothers. Archbishop Cupich has Croatia roots.
Ivana Vidović the first Croatian pianist to perform in the Sao Paulo Concert Hall in Brazil in August 2014
In front of over two thousand people who filled the Sao Paulo Concert Hall, Ivana Vidović had the honor to became the first Croatian pianist to perform in Brazil. With the support of the Symphony Orchestra of the University of Sao Paulo – one of the best symphony orchestras in Latin America – under the baton of maestro Luis Fernando Malheiro, Ivana Vidović played the Piano Concerto in C-sharp Minor, Op.30 by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov in honor of his 170th anniversary. This musical piece, composed in tribute to Franz Liszt, is rarely played, making the event even more special.
TORONTO CROATIA Great Croatian Story… documentary by Hrvoje Hitrec, Jakov Sedlar and Josip Pavicic
The Documentary film “Toronto Croatia – Great Croatian Story…”, from Screenwriter Hrvoje Hitrec, Director Jakov Sedlar and Producer Josip Pavicic captures and for the first time presents the great and unrepeatable Historical documentation. All important witnesses of these Historical accomplishments of Eusebio, Grnja, Bradvic, Bilic, Kenfelja, Ante Pavlovic, Simunic, Suker, Niko Kovac as well as Robert Iarusci, Bruce Thomas and Ante Pavelic testify to this unified and unique team. In 1976 Toronto Croatia won the Continental Championship with as many as 20 consecutive wins and became the champion of the North American League.