Marin Držić, a famous Croatian Renaissance playwright, was born five hundred years ago, in 1508. His native city of Dubrovnik and the whole of Croatia celebrate this year dedicated to his memory by a series of events and publications. Marin Držić is one of the pillars of Croatian literary tradition, preceding that of Shakespeare and Moliére by more than half a century.
Category: In Memoriam
Croatian Heroes: Dubrovnik defenders in 1991
Dubrovnik is one of the most beautiful mediaveal cities in the world. Its flag is unique by its inscritpion LIBERTAS, that is, Freedom. We want to remind the reader on the dramatic days in 1991 when the City was mercelesly bombed and shelled during the Serbian agression on Croatia. We also present the Memorial Room of Dubrovnik Defendres.
Andrija Stampar, Croatian scientist, father of the World Health Organization
Andrija Štampar (1888-1958), Croatian scientist and professor at the University of Zagreb, is the father of the World Health Organization, founded 60 years ago. He introduced the public health service in China in 1930s, where he spent three years as a specialist and representative of the then League of Nations.
Stjepan Radić (1871-1928): The Russian branch of our Jelacic's
Stjepan Radić is one of the greatest Croatian personalities of the 20th century. We present his article dealing with a branch of the Croatian noble family of Jelačić in Russia and their contribution to the Russian culture. With this article we mark 80 years from his tragic destiny.
Drazen Petrovic, a famous Croatian basketball player, left us 15 years ago
Dražen Petrović, a famous Croatian basketball player, died on June 1993, ie 15 years ago. With all the problems going on in Croatia back then, Dražen gave all of Croatia the joy of Basketball to alleviate their pains. His very nice monument can be seen in front of the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Azra Ljumanović, little known Croatian sprituality
Azra Kristina Ljumanović (1958-1998) is one of the symbols of Croatian spirituality. Working as a school-teacher, she left deep and indelible traces on her pupils and contemporaries with her beautiful songs, poetry and inspiring Christian messages.
Dražen Vrdoljak 1951 – 2008
Nakon duge i teške bolesti u 57. godini života napustio nas je Dražen Vrdoljak. Bio je prava glazbena enciklopedija. Pouzdan i pošten prema meni, rado je podijelio i radost i tugu i pikantnost i humor kako osobnog tako i poslovnog okružja. I miss you already.
Leo Majich in memoriam 1925 – 2008
Leo Anthony Majich, age 82, was born July 17, 1925 in Los Angeles and died April 10, 2008 in Pasadena after a brief illness. He was a founding member of the Croatian American Association as well as the National Federation of Croatian Americans, serving several terms as its Western Region vice-president.
Boris Dvornik – in memoriam to outstanding Croatian actor (1939-2008)
Boris Dvornik was an amusing man, and he was very emotional; a man who was able to feel the sufferings and destinies of others. That was visible even while he was acting. That’s the charisma that glows around him – a mix of warmth and authority.
NFCA is Saddened by the Passing of Congressman Tom Lantos of California
Tom Lantos was a friend to the Republic of Croatia and to the Croatian American Community. He was a progressive leader for democratic change around the world and a steadfast supporter of the expansion of human rights for all people. NFCA’s President, Mr. Ed Andrus, called on Congressman Lantos in his office when the NFCA was actively campaigning for Croatian Caucus.
Ivan Šime Zorica – in memoriam 1938 – 2008
Ivan was born on March 1, 1938 in Rupe – Skradin near Sibenik, Croatia. He was loved by many people, friends and family. On the day of Ivan’s passing grandkids were sitting around talking about grandpa Ivan and his cooking and jokes. One of the kids suddenly asked who will make us the greasy eggs from now on?
Dr. Drago Štambuk: Speech in Hiroshima for the Vukovar victims
The speech of the Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to Japan Dr. Drago Štambuk during the Holy Mass for Vukovar’s victims now available in Croatian and English. “…Vukovar is a canopy of celestial bodies, frozen in our mind, evoking earthly shortcomings, calling for a higher destiny…”
In Loving Memory of Joseph Turkaly, 1924-2007
The Turkaly Art Gallery provides a beautiful collection of works of art of Josip Turkalj, outstanding Croatian artist in the USA. In 1999 he received the “Presidential Award for the Advancement of Croatian Culture”, an award bestowed on him by the Government of Croatia.
Hiroshima 2007: requiem Mass for the victims of the Vukovar tragedy
The requiem Mass was said by Hiroshima Bishop Misue Joseph Atsumi with the Croatian Ambassador to Japan, Drago Štambuk. “Vukovar je umro da bi Hrvatska živjela. Preobrazio je suze u zvijezde, prostrijelne rane u snopove svjetlosti, mrtve u anđele. Vukovar je svod nebesnika, zaustavljenih u našem sjećanju, podsjetnik na zemaljske nedostatnosti i zazivatelj više sudbine.”
Jerry Ricks in memoriam 1940 – 2007
American blues guitarist “Philadelphia” Jerry Ricks, who mastered the sound of the 1930s’ Delta Blues, died in a clinic in Croatia on Monday. He was 67. He and his wife, Nancy, moved to Croatia this year after performing a concert in the country.
Valentine Ivankovic in memoriam 1925 – 2007
Valentine (Val) was born in Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina of Croatian parents, Andrijia and Jaka. He was among the few survivors of the post WWII massacre at Bleiburg. To escape communism, he eventually fled his homeland to Rome, Italy.
Radovan Grgec, outstanding Croatian intellectual and humanist, passed away
Radovan Grgec (1929-2007), president of the Croatian Literary Society of St. Jerome (Hrvatsko književno društvo Sv. Jeronima), Zagreb, one of the founders and editor in chief of the “Marulić” journal, and wonderful person, died in Zagreb. His name is well known among many Croats throughout the world.
Rudolf Blazevich in memoriam 1925 – 2007
Rudolf Blazevich, long time resident of San Pedro, USA died on Nov. 19, 2007. Rudolf was the father of John Z. Blazevich, CEO and founder of Contessa Premium Foods. Rudolf was born on March 23, 1925 to Manda and Stanko Blazevic in Mostar, B-H. He was blessed with an infectious sense of humor, good looks, and a determination to make the most of what life has to offer.
50 years ago today on November 3rd 1957, Laika by Marilyn Cvitanic
Fifty years ago today the USSR launched Sputnik 2. On board was a live dog named Laika. The point was to prove that a dog, and eventually a human being, could survive in space. Sputnik 2 was equipped with life support systems and enough food and water for ten days. The mission yielded very little useful scientific information.
Vukovar, Croatian Baroque city on the Danube river
Vukovar is reviving from ashes. Many of its wounds have been cured, but a lots remains to be done in the future. Of course, its extremely difficult past will not be forgotten. One of the symbols of the city is Siniša Glavašević (1960-1991), Croatian writer and newspaperman.