Professor Igor Štagljar, Croatian Canadian scientist working at the Faculty of Medicine’s Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research at the University of Toronto, and his team developed the first roadmap for ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter proteins. These proteins are crucial components of every cell, and are also involved in tumor resistance. “Our discovery shows how ABC transporter proteins effect cancer and other diseases, and this knowledge can help us develop better, more targeted drugs. This is truly momentous,” said Štagljar.
Author: Nenad N. Bach and Darko Žubrinić
Branko Istvancic's documentary From Grain to Painting awarded as best documentary in LA
Croatian documentary From Grain to Painting by Branko Ištvančić, is the recipient of the Gold Camera award for the best documentary and has been nominated for a Best of Festival award for Documentary productions in 2013 film competition of US International Film & Video Festival in Los Angeles. Distinguished Croatian filmmaker Branko Ištvančić, the director of live-action (The Ghost in the Swamp, 2006) and award-winning documentary films (The Cormorant Scarecrow, 1998), born in Subotica, where a large part of the film takes place, devoted a lot of attention to the poetic atmosphere and visuals.
Ivana Marija Vidovic and 7th Epidaurus Festival in Cavtat Croatia – festival of music, drama, theatre and folklore
On the south east part of the Croatian coast, in a beautiful, picturesque Cavtat we would love to welcome a cultural series of events. The Epidaurus Festival is a festival of music which will also include other artistic events – drama, theatre, literature, poetry, various presentations, folklore, educative programmes, matinees for young talents, getting to know the area, its beauty, nature, tradition, etc. Without music life would be a mistake (F. Nietzche).
Croatia in EU on July 1st 2013 seen by professional designers
Croatia has 12 centuries of uninterrupted international legitimicy, much longer than great majority of other members of the EU. As such, Croatia as an international subject is much older than EU itself. Among the most important moments of Croatia’s recent past are June 25th 1991, when Croatian Deit (one of the oldest in Europe), as a result of 93,24% majority of votes of Croatian citizens, decided to become a sovereign state, as well as the decision of Badinter’s Committee from September 7th 1991 about de facto recognition of Croatia. On the photo is an amusing pair of shoes, designed by Teo Bekavac, professional Croatian designer. The red one represents Croatia, and the blue one the EU.
A famous Croatian Professor Balthazar shown by Google on its front page on June 21st 2013
Professor Balthazar is probably the most famous Croatian professor in the world, a popular figure of cartoon movies, familiar to millions of children throughout the world. It has been created in 1967, that is, 46 years ago, by Zlatko Grgić, a member of the lagendary Zagreb School of Animated Film. On June 21st 2013 Google placed the professor on its front page. Professor Balthazar was equally popular among children fourty years ago, as is today.
Goran Karan very successful concerts of Croatian singer in London in June 2013
Goran Karan, a well known Croatian pop singer from the city of Split, will remember the year of 2013 for a series of very successful concerts in Estonia and Poland, culminating with two concerts in England, in London – in Dingwalls Club and Gloucester Millenium Hotel. His singing is deeply influenced by very emotional local Dalmatian melodies. Besides the mentioned concerts, Goran had many other concerts held in Austria, Germany, Italy, France, along with three tours in the United States.
Joseph Thomas Rukavina 1922-2013 Croatian humanitarian and Democratic activist in the USA
Joseph Thomas Rukavina, 91 years old of White Bear Lake, MN died on June 10, 2013 at Southview Acres Health Care Center in West St. Paul. Joe was a long time activist within the Democratic party and so proud of his work with three Croatian American groups: Croatian Fraternal Union, MN Croatian Cultural Society and the National Federation of Croatian Americans (co-founder). He was honored with awards from both the Republic of Croatia and The White House for his outstanding humanitarian work during the 1990s war in Croatia and in Bosnia-Herzegovina. He was a founding member of St. Pius X Church in White Bear Lake and was active there for 59 years.
Marija Miletic Dail exhibiting her murals on Croatian history at Lovejoy Gallery in Los Angeles June 15th 2013
Marija Miletic Dail, distinguished Croatian American director, producer, animator and filmmaker, living in the USA, will have an Exhibition of Cultural Murals “Five Medallions of Croatian History” at Lovejoy Gallery in Los Angeles, June 15th 2013, from 4-10 pm, 749 South Broadway St. The titles of murals are Alojzije Stepinac, Ante Starčević, Seoba Hrvata (Migration of Croatians), Krštenje Hrvata (Baptizing of Croatians), and Matija Gubec. This art will be available to collectors after the exhibition.
General Dr. Ivan Prodan 1927-2013 founder of Croatian Veteran Association in 1990
Primarius Dr. Ivan Prodan, Croatian general, was the first president of the Croatian Veteran Association, founded in 1990. Since 1993 this association was a full member of the World Veteran Federation (WVF) with its seat in Paris. Furthermore, Dr. Prodan was the first Croatian to have been elected as a member of the Permanent committee of the WVF. Croatian Veterans gave an important contribution to the defense of sovreignity of the Republic of Croatia.
Daniel Cacija young Croatian jazz singer of international reputation
Daniel Čačija was recently selected as the winner of the Downbeat Music Award 2013 as the best jazz vocal soloist. He has accumulated numerous prestigious awards, like the European Broadcast Jazz Competition 2011 and the winner of the ‘Best Male Jazz Baritone’ in Austria. In addition, he is gaining popularity in the Baltic states performing at festivals such as Rigas Ritmi. Daniel is already at the start of an international career singing in the National Jazz Orchestra of Germany. He is also involved in music therapy for children with special needs. On 5 May 2013 he has a concert in Zagreb, interpreting songs by Ivo Robić.
Miro Gavran Croatian writer and ceremonial 300th performance of his drama in the Prague in Czech Republic
On Sunday, April 14th in Prague, Theater STUDIO DVA presented the ceremonial 300th performance of Miro Gavran’s drama ‘All About Men’, translated by Blanka Kučerova and Blanka Fišerova, and directed by Jana Janekova. Miro Gavran is a well-known author in the Czech Republic; so far, he has had twelve premieres there, as well as two published books – a drama book, and the novel ‘Judita’. Miro Gavran’s works have hitherto been translated into 35 languages, and have had over 200 permieres perfomed around the world.
Vinodol Collection of old Croatian tunes sung and played near the Adriatic Sea
Vinodol Collection consists of the oldest known Croatian tunes sung and played in the region near the town of Bribir, situated not far from the Adriatic Sea. The collection is a result of enthusiasm and efforts of maestro Ivica Kaliman, b. in 1926, to preserve the songs that were sung about a century ago in Croatian villages near this part of Croatian coast. The efforts resulted in CD published by Maraton in 2013.
Ana Konjuh young Croatian tennis player won two junior titles at Australian Open 2013
Croatian Ana Konjuh signalled she is a future star of women’s tennis as she claimed the 2013 Australian Open girls’ singles championship on Saturday. She became the third player in the past three years to win both the Australian Open girls’ singles and doubles title. Miss Konjuh was born and lives in Dubrovnik at the Croatian coast, which is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Roman Krznaric speaking about the art of living and social change
Roman Krznaric is a cultural thinker and writer on the art of living. He is a founding faculty member of The School of Life in London, which offers instruction and inspiration on the important questions of everyday life, and advises organisations including Oxfam and the United Nations on using empathy and conversation to create social change. He has been named by The Observer as one of Britain’s leading lifestyle philosophers. Roman is a fanatical real tennis player, has worked as a gardener, and has a passion for furniture making. His ambition is to found the world’s first empathy museum . Mr. Krznaric has Croatian roots.
Davor Vrankic distinguished Croatian painter living and working in Paris and New York
Davor Vrankić, distinguished Croatian painter born in the town of Osijek, lives and works in Paris and New York. He had individual exhibitions in Osijek, Rijeka, Zagreb, Paris, New York, Amsterdam, Bordeaux, etc. His paintings are extremely complex compositions, and he paints with a pencil.
BREVIS Croatian female vocal ensemble in Carnegie Hall in New York on 21 Jan 2013 at 7 pm
Croatian female vocal ensemble BREVIS will sing at Carnegie Hall in New York on 21 January 2013 at 7 pm, Isaac Stern Auditorium/Perelman Stage. They are singing as guests of a famous Welsh composer Karl Jenkins. The ensemble had very successful tours in Europe, America and Asia. They were winners of prestigious competitions of ensembles at the Sweden Helsingborgschoir Festival (2004), and also at the 4th Olympiade of choirs at the World Choir Games in 2006 in Xiamen in China (2006). In June 2012 they had a very successful debut in Hollywood. The ensemble is directed by Antoaneta Radočaj-Jerković and Davor Dedić.
Mate Rimac young Croatian inventor created the fastest electric car in the world
Mate Rimac, young Croatian inventor, created the fastest electric car in the world rushing faster than 300 km/h. The U.S. TV Bloomberg ranked him in its list of “Best of 2012”. The car has four electric motors with a total of 1088 horsepower. The Rimac Concept One utilizes a 92-kWh battery to power four sets of electric motors (one for each wheel). Each motor operates independently, accelerating and decelerating hundreds of times per second in what the brand calls “All-Wheel Torque Vectoring”.
Jacob Jake Matijevic 1947-2012 NASA engineer of Croatian origin father of Curiosity rover on Mars
 Jacob (Richard) Matijevic, also known as “Jake” Matijevic, (3 November 1947 – 20 August 2012) was an American NASA engineer of Croatian origin who worked on Mars Exploration Rovers. Dr. Matijevic, PhD in Mathematics from the University of Chicago, was involved in developing the “Sojourner”, “Spirit”, “Opportunity” and “Curiosity” rovers. For his contributions to the rover projects, NASA named several landmarks (including “Matijevic Hill” and “Jake Matijevic” rock) for him on the planet Mars.
Merry Christmas to Mr. Slobodan Praljak and to Mr. Dario Kordic with their families
Christmas of joy and pain.
Ante Gotovina and Mladen Markach with their families in Croatia after seven years of grave injustice in the Hague
We are pleased to send our cordial greetings to Mr. Ante Gotovina, Mr. Mladen Markač, Mr. Slobodan Praljak, Mr. Dario Kordić, and their families, in the name of the readers of the CROWN. They are all defenders of European values and true Croatian ambassadors in the EU. Croatian general Mr. Ante Gotovina contributed enormously to the dignity of Europe during the operation STORM in 1995, which according to distinguished Croatian humanist Dr. Slobodan Lang, was the first ever military action that prevented genocide.