On 2nd and 3rd July 2022, an excursion was organized by the Croatian-Indian Society in Zagreb (CIS), jointly with CIGRE-Croatia . The aim was to learn more about Nikola Tesla’s education in Croatia (Tesla spent the first 20 years of his life in Croatia) and about his role in the history of Electrical Engineering. The first day, we visited the Museum of the Castle of Ozalj and two Hydroelectric plants of Ozalj on the beautiful Kupa river. The second day, we visited the city of Gospić and the village of Smiljan, where Nikola Tesla was born. Among 14 participants of the excursion, there were five citizens of India.
Author: Nenad N. Bach and Darko Žubrinić
Hrvojka Mihanovic Salopek: Digital Recording of the Croatian Mariological Heritage
This cultural project is carried out under the auspices of the Committee for Education, Science and Culture of the Croatian Parliament and the Council for Culture of the Croatian Conference of Bishops. Videos are published in English and Croatian (Digital Recording of the Croatian Mariological Heritage, i.e., Digitalno snimanje hrvatske marijanske baštine). The Project leader, scenarist and director: Hrvojka Mihanović-Salopek, Ph.D., employed at the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts in Zagreb.
Werner Ilic and Martin Cruickshank two Croatian defenders paddled across the Atlantic in 2022
Werner Ilić and Martin Cruickshank (right and left), Croatian defendors from 1990s, successfuly paddled across the Atlantic Ocean during 83 days (i.e., almost three months). They travelled 5500 kms from Canari Islands to Barbados (from 15th January to 22nd March 2022). In this way, Croatia has been included into the list of 32 countries which have paddlers accross oceans. Mr. Werner Ilić is a Croatian born in Germany, while Marti Cruickshank is of Scottish provenance, living in Croatia in the town of Velika Gorica near Zagreb, where he is happily married.
Luka Modric has won Champions League 5 times with Real Madrid until 2022
Luka Modric has won Champions League 5 times with Real Madrid (until 2022). Modric is the only one who has stolen the show from Ronaldo & Messi- duel for the Ballon D’or in 2018. He has been picked by many football experts as one of the best midfielders in the football history. In addition to this, each Champions League in the past 10 years (ie., since 2021) had at least one Croatian player in the finals, which servs as a clear indication of the presence of Croatian players in European top football. in the period of 2013-2022, each winning team of Champions League had at least one Croatian player. Luka Modric made a significant conbtribution to the series of titles achieved by Real Madrid.
Nikola Tesla's lecture in the city of Zagreb in 1892
Nikola Tesla (1856-1943) was born in Croatia, where he spent his young formative years. Out of his 87 years, he spent the first 20 in Croatia, and in the USA about 60 years. In 1892 he visited the city of Zagreb, where he was invited by Milan Amruš, the Mayor of the city. On May 24th, 1892, Nikola Tesla presented some of his advices how to electrify the city using his AC (alternating current) polyphase system. On this occasion, he said the following: “I consider it as my duty, as a native son of this country, to assist the Zagreb City Council in this matter and help in every way I can.” Tesla arrived to Zagreb on 22nd May, and left it on 26th May.
Japan – Croatia events in Tokyo in May 2022
Five generations of Japanese Ambassadors to Croatia, hosted by the Croatian Ambassador H. E. Mr. Dražen Hrastić and his spouse Mrs. Blaženka Hrastić, gathered together for an evening on 16 May 2022 that brought back nostalgic stories of their time in Croatia. On that occasion, Yoko Nishii had a mini concert. Yoko Nishii had the honor of performing also at the Spring Afternoon Tea for the spouses of ambassadors of various countries at Croatian Embassy on 19 May 2022, hosted by Croatian ambassador’’s spouse Mrs. Blaženka Hrastić.
Blessed Easter Greetings from the city of Solin, Croatia
The city of Solin, near the city of Split, sends us a wonderful Easter greeting in the form of a traditional Croatian song “Puče moj” ( My People , or Populus meus in Latin). It is interpreted in a contemporary way by the choir of Veritas aeterna (Eternal Truth) in the church of sv. Obitelji (Sacred Family) in Solin. Arranged by Antonio Grkeš, the soloists are Ante Mlikota, Ana Dobrijević, Antonio Grkeš, Doruntina Qivlaku. The Croatian original verses are translated into English. We also provide a very nice traditional Croatian melody for “Psalm 51” arranged by Ivanski from Kaštel Sućurac (in the vicitnty of Split).
Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra performing at Codagan Hall in London on 14 April 2022
The Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra boasts 150 years of tradition of first-class musicianship in Zagreb and across Croatia. Under the baton of conductor Jan Latham-Koenig, the Orchestra performs Sibelius’ Violin Concerto, with one of Britain’s most active concerto soloists and recitalists, violinist Tamsin Waley-Cohen. Over the decades, the Zagreb Philharmonic Orchestra has stimulated Croatian musical creativity by performing, premiering and recording numerous pieces of music by Croatian composers and this concert will open with four short songs for voice and orchestra by Dora Pejačević sung by Croatian soprano Marija Vidović, on the photo.
Benefit concert of "I Medici di McGill Orchestra" in Montreal, Canada, to help Ukraine
You are cordially invited to the next concert of “I Medici di McGill Orchestra”, in collaboration with the McGill Ukrainian Students Association. Guest conductor, maestra Veronique Lussier leads the ensemble that will present the pianist and medical student Emily Oulousian in Grieg’s Piano Concerto, an MSF staff member on the ground in Ukraine will provide a 15 min presentation. The event starts with singing of the Ukrainian National anthem and three Ukrainian folks songs performed by Trio Rossa. The orchestra was founded in 1989 by Croatian-Canadian scientist and musician Dr. Ante L. Padjen (on the photo) with an aim to reinforce the study of the humanities at the faculty.
Ukraine – Croatia cultural and historical relations
This article illustrates some of deep connections between Ukraine and Croatia: White Croatians in Ukraine, Kiev Glagolitic folia (10th century), Kiev Rus, The Reims Evangel (11th century and 1395), Ivan Uževič, Ester eggs traditions in Ukraine and Croatia, Greek-Catholics in Ukraine and in Croatia, Ukrainian monuments in Croatia, Eduard Miloslavić, toponyms and hydronyms in Croatia and Ukraine of the same name, etc. On the photo: Taras Belej, a fine Ukrainean artist, living in Ivano-Frankivsk. This article was prepared in support of achieving peace in Ukraine.
Keiko Mitani Japanese expert in Croatian Glagolitic literature passed away in 2022
Keiko Mitani, professor at the University of Tokyo, one of greatest Slavists in Japan, passed away in January 2022. She earned her PhD at the University of Zagreb, under supervision of Professor Stjepan Damjanović (of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts). She was president of the Japan-Croatian Friendship Society in Tokyo. In 2017, she participated at the international conference “The Phenomenon of the Glagolitic Script”, organized in the cities of Biograd and Zadar on Croatian coast. She also wrote a manual in Japanese for learning Croatian, as well as a Croatian-Japanese dictionary.
Romain Rolland's 1924 book "Mahatma Gandhi" translated into Croatian as "Naš Gandhi" (Our Gandhi!)
Romain Rolland’s book was published on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi (celebrated in 2019), and Stjepan Radić (honored in the year 2021). The original Croatian version of the book was published in 1924, entitled “Naš Gandhi” (Our Gandhi!). Issuing this reprint was suggested by Mr. Joginder Singh Nijjar, the president of Croatian-Indian Society in Zagreb. It appeared under the auspices of highest Croatian political, cultural and scientific institutions, as well as under the auspices of the Embassy of the Republic of India to Croatia. We provide a presentation of the reprint written by Ante Belić.
GAVRANFEST in Augsburg in Germany 17-19 March 2022 in Sensible Theater
The thirteenth GavranFest will be held 17-19 March 2022 in Senseble Theater in Augsburg, Germany. It’s an international theatre festival with plays by Miro Gavran, Croatian writer. The festival selectors and organizers Anne Schuster i Sebastian Seidel invited five theatres from three countries, Romania, Germany, Croatia with theatres from Bucharest, Augsburg Munich and Zagreb. Along with theatre performances, there will also be a presentation of Gavran’s collection of plays in German called ONE DRAMA AND FOUR COMEDIES in translations by Tihomir Glowatsky, Ljerka Orešković Herrmann and Ludwig Steindorff.
Betiana Bellofatto published her photobook “Terra Australis Aedificanda” in Ushuaia 2021
Betiana Bellofatto published her photobook published in Ushuaia in 2021: Terra Australis Aedificanda (Southern Land To Be Built) . Born in 1979 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Betiana Bellofatto studied Audiovisual Design and Photography. She has performed as direction and production assistant in several fictional short-films and commercial spots. In 2009, in Berlin, she co-founded i Collective , a multicultural artist collective that works on multidisciplinary projects. Her activity combines photography, installation, art in the public space and internet art.
1143 years since the first international recognition of Croatia
The first international recognition of Croatia came in 879 from Pope John VIII, i.e., 1143 years ago! 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. A special cultural program was organized on 15th January 2022 at Croatian Embassy in Tokyo on the occasion of the first diplomatic recognition of Croatia in 1992, on which occasion Yoko Nishii played her solemn pianistic concert.
Miro Gavran's theatrical play 'The Doll' shown in Russia and Turkey in 2022
Miro Gavran is the greatest Croatian contemporary playwright: his plays were translated from Croatian into as many as 41 languages worldwide. His play ‘The Doll’ will be shown in 2022 in the Russian Federationand in Turkey. Its Russian premiere will be shown on 26th Febrary 2022 in Moscow, at the famous Taganjka Theatre . The play was translated from Croatian by Sergej Girin. It was premiered already in 2011 in New York, and since then it was shown with great success throughout the world: in Los Angeles, Mumbai, Havana, Vienna, Copenhagen, Budapest, etc.
Tomislav Sikic delivered a lecture about Srinivasa Ramanujan a famous Indian mathematician
Tomislav Šikić, Assocuate Professor of Mathematics at the University of Zagreb, delivered a lecture dedicated to Srinivasa Ramanujan, the most famous Indian mathematician in history. Croatian mathematicians have contributed twelve scientific papers in The Ramanujan Journal . Also, as many as 23 Indian mathematicians are (or have been) members of specialized math journals in Croatia, published by Element co. Two Croatian mathematicians, Professors Hrvoje Šikić and Zoran Vondraček, have earned their PhD’s under the guidance of distinguished Indian mathematician Murali Rao, University of Florida. A few Croatian mathematicians were invited lecturers in Indian scientific institutions.
Tony Butala the lead singer of THE LETTERMEN is of Croatian descent
Tony Butala, of Croatian descent, is the founder (in 1960) and the lead singer of The Lettermen trio. It has existed for almost sixty years. Some of the best known songs interpreted by The Lettermen are such classics like “Put Your Head on My Shoulder”, “When I Fall in Love”, “Morning Girl”, … Tony Butala keeps in contact with Croatian community in the USA. Also, he is a passionate winemaker. When Mike Grgich, probably the most famous American wine maker (and born in Croatia) was at the age of 90 (in 2013), he participated in the program of his anniversary with several Croatian songs, like Marijana and Tri palme na otoku sreće .
Guy Mitchell American singer of Croatian origin "Singing the blues"
Guy Mitchell’s real name was Albert George Crnić, and both of his parents were from Croatia. His father Albert was born in the town of Mrkopalj in Gorski kotar (part of Croatia), who as a young man arrived to the USA, working in Detroit. Guy Mitchell’s mother Mary Dobrotinić was born in St. Louis, and both of her parents are from the town of Bribir near the Croatian coast. Albert junior was born in Detroit in 1927. In the 1950s and 1960s he registered for Columbia Records as many as 40 hits. Some of his most popular songs are My Heart Cries for You, Heartaches by the Number , and Singing the Blues , which in 1956 became the most wanted song during 10 weeks.