The photo collection of khachkars, Armenian stone crosses, has been prepared by Dr Anna Givargizyan, an Armenian living in Moscow. The exhibition lasted from the February 2nd to March 3rd 2016, and was held in the hall of the Society of Friends of the Dubrovnik Antiquities . Except Dr Givarigizyen, in the solemn opening of the exhibition participated Armenian archbishop Kegham Katcherian, the Dubrovnik bishop Mate Uzinić, Croatian historian Dr Vinicije Lupis and Mrs Naira Asatryan, who is a pianist living in Dubrovnik and is the founder of the Croatian-Armenian Friendship Society in the city.
Category: History
May 2016 Croatian Heritage Tour and Cruise
Join genealogist Robert Jerin for a unique cruise and heritage tour of Croatia! This cruise begins in Dubrovnik and works its way up the coast, visiting historic cities and towns like Korcula, Split Sibenik and Zadar. From there the tour works its way inland to the towns of Karlovac, Zagreb and Varazdin. You will have to hurry if you want to experience Croatia like this – seats are filling up!
Mladen Ibler and Birgitta Fritz writing about Johan Franke a Croatian castle commander in Sweden in 15th ct.
The castle commander Johan Vale or Franke in Sweden is identified by Dr Mladen Ibler (on the photo) as Ivan Anž Frankopan, the eldest son of Count Nikola IV, viceroy (banus) of Croatia from 1426. The Scandinavian king Erik of Pomerania had met the young man at the court of his cousin King Sigmund in Budapest. After having decided to go on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land he had chosen this nobleman, who was familiar with Mediterranean conditions, to lead the tour. In Jerusalem the king knighted him and then afterwards recompensed him with the enfeoffments in Sweden. Besides those connections between the Scandinavian king and the Frankopan family the article also presents proofs of the king’s stay at Dubrovnik, both on the way to Palestine and on the way back.
Esther Gitman's interview 2016 about Archbishop Alojzije Stepinac and his role in saving the Jews in Croatia
Dr Esther Gitman analized about 5000 archival documents kept in various Croatian archives. Especially important among them are 500 signed petitions for the rescue of Jews in Croatia during the WW2. Some of these documents contain as many as 150 names, signed by ordinary people, who risked their lifes in order to save the lifes of their endangered Jewish neighbors and friends. Furthermore, according to Dr Girtman, THOSANDS OF ORDINARY PEOPLE signed these petitions, which is a fact totally unknown in historigraphy (not only Croatian). Similar documents in such abundonce, cannot be found in any other European country, said Dr Gitman. We invite you to see and listen to this extremely interesting and important interview, conducted by the Laudato TV in Zagreb, Croatia.
Faces of War exhibition of Croatian History Museum
To commemorate the Operation Storm , as well as Victory and National Thanksgiving Day and Croatian Veterans Day on August 5th, the Croatian History Museum has organized an exhibition of Croatian war photography under the title “Faces of War.” The photographs encompass the period from 1991 to 1995, presenting events from Croatia’s Homeland War. In case you are interested in realizing the cooperation and hosting of the exhibition “Faces of War” in your country / institution, or have additional questions, we will gladly answer them. Please contact us on the following e-mail address: j.hotko@hismus.hr. On the photo a legendary Croatian photographer Pavao Urban (1968-1991), assasinated in his native city of Dubrovnik with his photo camera in hands.
Almae Matris Croaticae Alumni AMCA Toronto published Collection of Documents 1990-1999
AMCA Toronto, an association of students and friends of Croatian Universities, founded in 1990, has become the centre of intellectual life of the Croatian community in Southern Ontario (Canada). During the Homeland Liberation War, AMCA Associations played an important role worldwide by providing systematic help to Croatia. AMCA Toronto concentrated itself on delivering humanitarian aid to Croatia and B&H and on lobbying and spreading the truth about the situation in Croatia. An enormous number of letters and proclamations have been pubished in Zagreb, Jan 2014, in two extensive volumes. The editor is Vladimir Benković, while an associate editor and sponsor is Dr Ivan Hrvoić (on the photo). Both of them are Croatian emigrants in Canada and experts in technical sciences.
Zlata Blazina Tomic & Vesna Blazina and their monograph Expelling the Plague from the city of Dubrovnik
Zlata Blažina Tomić on the photo is a medical historian who worked at McGill University’s Osler Library, Canada. Vesna Blažina is a translator and librarian who worked at the Université de Montréal, Canada. “Studying an extraordinarily rich set of documents in Dubrovnik, the authors Zlata Blažina Tomić and Vesna Blažina bring scholarly attention to an early public health office dedicated to surveillance and containment of plague epidemics. Social and medical historians will find this work very valuable.” Wrote Ann G. Carmichael of the Indiana University, USA.
August Senoa’s historical novel The Goldsmith’s Treasure available in English since 2015
The first Croatian historical novel, written in 1871 August Šenoa (1838-1881), is the tale of a forbidden love between the daughter of a goldsmith and a nobleman’s son set against the backdrop of the streets and squares of 16th century Zagreb. The town lies before you. In the words of Šenoa himself: “below the mountain, a jewel most precious to us glimmers in the sun, strong like a mighty hero – the town of Zagreb.” The book, published by Spiritoso, Zagreb, has 388 pp, and has been translated from Croatian by Neven Divjakinja. Except into English, the book has already been translated into German, Czech, Polish, French, Slovak, Russian and some other languages.
Marijan Busic: The Cravat Day to be marked on October 18th each year throughout the world
Academia Cravatica, a non-profit institution dedicated to the phenomen and culture of Croatian necktie, the cravat, aims to promote the cravat as a part of Croatian, European and also world heritage. This year, Academia Cravatica decided to pay special attention to international celebration of the Cravat Day, and is now in the process of inviting numerous Croats and their ancestors living abroad to join together on October 18th, put on their Croatian cravat with pride and, joining with others, remember the values it represents. The founder and director of Academia Cravatica is Mr. Marijan Bušić, successful and very creative Croatian entrepreneur in the city of Zagreb.
St Paul the Apostle spent three months on Croatian island of Mljet
Saint Paul the Apostle had shipwreck on Croatian island of Mljet, and not on Malta. This is the subject of the monumental book written in elite Latin language by Ignjat Đurđević, published in Venice in 1730. Ignjat Đurđevic was Croatian Baroque writer from the city of Dubrovnik. The island of Mljet is not far from the city of Dubrovnik. In The Geography of distinguished Armenian scholar Ananias of Shirak, written between 592-636 AD, it is stated that Saint Paul stayed in Dalmatia following a shipwreck that happened on the Adriatic island of Melita (Mljet). We owe our deep gratitude to Dr. Miho Demović (on the photo), distinguished Croatian musicologist and historian of culture, to have unveiled many unknown facts concerning the shipwreck of St Paul the Apostle on the island of Mljet on the Adriatic sea.
Ana Rucner Croatian cellist and Klapa Sinj celebrating the tradition of Sinjska alka
On 5th August Croatia is celebrating Liberation Day, remembering not only the Storm Liberation Operation from 1995, but also endevours of generations of Croatian people during many centuries. Here we provide a beautiful video from the town of Sinj, featuring Sinjska Alka and Croatian cellist Ana Rucner, with typical songs from the Sinj area interpreted by Klapa Sinj, as well as the famous air U Boj, sang in Croatia’s capital Zagreb by the Kwansei-Gakuin Choir from the city of Kobe, Japan. Finally, we end with a testimony of Dr. Slobodna Lang, distinguished Croatian humanitarian activist, professor at the University of Zagreb.
Pope Francis in Sarajevo in 2015 meeting his old friend f. Petar Galauner, SJ Zagreb
Petar Nodilo, SJ Zagreb: We all were indeed happy to see how the Pope embraced our f. Petar Galauner, SJ, and how he was sincerely delighted to see him again. Our dear father Galauner, we wish you God’s blessing so that you spend many years to come with us, with your confreres and with numerous flock which loves you. Petar Galauner, SJ, is distinguished educator, living in Croatia’s capital Zagreb. His last encounter with Pope Francis was about thirty years ago. They first met in the Vatican in 1974.
Artur Bagdasarov and Vinicije Lupis promoting their joint book about Dubrovnik in Moscow on 14 June 2015
Dr. Artur Bagdasarov and Dr. Vinicije Lupis are promoting their joint book about Dubrovnik in Moscow. The book deals with Armenian and Croatian ties via St. Vlaho who is an Armenian saint and patron of the city of Dubrovnik. The presentation is organized by (R)am journal on 14 June 2015 at 19:00 at Pokrovka 27, str. 1, cultural center Pokrovskie vorota, m. Kitaj-gorod, Eistye prudy, Moscow. The admission is free.
Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic president of the Republic of Croatia visited pope Francis on 28 May 2015
Kolinda Grabar Kitarović, president of the Republic of Croatia, had a friendly meeting with Pope Francis in the Vatican on 28 May 2015. They communicated in Castillano language. Besides her native language, Mrs. Grabar Kitarovic is fluent in several other languages. They were discussing, among others, the collaboration between the Church and the State for the common good of Croatian society, especially the support of families and the young.
U boj, u boj! sung by Kwansei Gakuin University Choir from Japan in Croatia's capital Zagreb 2014
Connection between Croatian arias and Japanese students is already well known. Male choir of one of the most prestigious Japanese universities – Kwansei Gakuin University, Kobe – for its anthem chose “U boj, u boj “, the famous air from the Croatian opera “Nikola Subic Zrinski”. Japanese choirs are singing this air exclusively in the Croatian language for the last 90 years, and it is believed that the persona and life of Nikola Zrinski of Siget found its admirers in distant Japan because of his courage and honourable samurai death in 1566. The opera was composed by Ivan pl. Zajc 1832-1914, distinguished Croatian composer, on the photo.
1136 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!
Hrvojka Mihanovic Salopek and her Stella Maris Croatiae project
Hrvojka Mihanović Salopek, PhD, of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, is the director of important cultural project Stella Maris Croatiae , the aim of which is to present the most important examples of the veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Croatia, including noted Marian shrines and an anthological selection of Marian works from the theological, artistic and musical heritage. Dr. Mihanović Salopek and her team deserve our deep gratitude for her project and for their fantastic achievement, this time concentrated on the Southern Croatian islands and on Slavonian wheat fields.
Artur Bagdasarov and Vinicije Lupis creating a bridge of friendship between Armenia and Croatia
Artur Bagdasarov (Moscow) and Vinicije Lupis (Dubrovnik) are the authors of an important book Armenija – domovina sv. Vlaha (Armenia – Homeland of St Blaise), dealing with the history St. Blaise tradition in the city of Dubrovnik, going back to the 10th century. St. Blaise, known in Croatia as Sveti Vlaho, is an Armenian saint who lived in 3rd and 4th centuries. The monograph provides a detailed account of historical contactcts between Croatians and Armenians. Dr. Artur Bagdasarov is an expert in Croatian linguistics, while Dr. Vinicije Lupis is a distinguished Croatian historian.
Grgich Hills Estate celebrates the 35th anniversary of The Great Chicago Chardonnay Showdown
Chicago Tribune called 1977 Chardonnay “The Best Chardonnay in the World” In 1980 “The Great Chicago Showdown” brought together 221 of the best Chardonnays from around the world. Chardonnays from France, California,…
Croatian artisans in Kreševo preserve unique tradition of ornamenting eggs
Located just west of Sarajevo, the predominantly Croatian town of Kreševo is home to a centuries old tradition of “shoeing” eggs. This tradition is only practiced by only a handful of skilled artisans, and Kreševo is said to be the only town in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where this tradition survives. The egg has always been a symbol of new life, and the horseshoe a symbol of happiness. In almost every yard in Kreševo has tree on which are hung shod eggs of different colors.