RONNA – Robotic NeuroNAvigation is a project that deals with research into and the design of a new innovative and competitive robotic system for application in neurosurgery. The project was launched by the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Zagreb, with the Clinical hospital Dubrava and the Croatian Institute for Brain Research as partners in the project. Founders of the project are Professor Bojan Jerbiae, PhD (project leader, on the photo), Assistant Professor Darko Chudy, PhD and Professor Gojko Nikoliae, PhD.
Dora Pejacevic's music played by Yoko Nishii in Nasice
Dora Pejačević (1885-1923) is the first internationally known Croatian woman composer. Her growing popularity has reached even Japan, where in 2015 Yoko Nishii, a fine pianist, has published a double CD in Tokyo containing Dora’s collected pianistic works. Yoko Nishii, on the photo, has visited numerous Croatian towns, including the town of Našice, where she was playing on the paino on which Dora Pejačević was composing her works. Yoko Nishii speaks Croatian, and she completed a part of her music studies in the town of Lovran in Croatia.
Marin Cilic and Mate Pavic advance to the 2017 Wimbledon Finals
Marin Cilic of Croatia will play for his second Grand Slam title on Sunday after beating 24th seed Sam Querrey 6-7 (6), 6-4, 7-6 (3), 7-5 in the Wimbledon semifinals on Friday. Meanwhile, number four seeds Lukasz Kubot and Marcelo Melo will square off against number sixteen seeds Oliver Marach of Austria and Mate Pavic of Croatia, on Saturday in the men’s pairs finals. This is Marach’s and Pavic’s first appearance in a Grand Slam final.
Milka Trnina or Ternina 1863-1941 distinugished Croatian opera singer
According to Giacomo Puccini , author of the famous opera Tosca , Milka Trnina (or Ternina) was the best “Tosca” that he had opportunity to listen to (on the London premiere in 1900). In 1898, she appeared for the first time in opera in London, performing Isolde in Tristan und Isolde. She would continue to appear at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, until 1906, achieving a total of 98 appearances there in a variety of operas. Did You know that the name of the famous MILKA chocolate, Switzerland, had been given in honour to Milka Trnina, Croatian opera diva? The founder of the company, who was a great admirer of the singer, decided to name the company and his chocolate by the name of MILKA.
Siniša Grgić
10. srpnja – Yesterday was his birthday! Wish him for happy birthday. By the time you read this, yesterday will indeed have been his birthday, no matter, still wish him for happy…
Matt Sertic's Applied Ceramics and Sunceco rejuvenating his hometown of Sisak in Croatia
In parallel to his global successful ventures, Applied Ceramics and Sunceco, ACAP Silicon Valley chapter member Matt Sertic (on the photo with his daugher Maya) is slowly but steadily rejuvenating his hometown of Sisak and creating a “new hot Valley to be in”. Ten years ago, Matt recognized the potential of the once enormous but almost forgotten Ironworks factory complex in which he invested substantial funds to create a production facility for Applied Ceramics putting Croatia on the map as the only country in the European Union that produces sapphire crystals used in high technology.
Michael Ippolito's Songlines inspired by Croatian KOLO music
Currently an Assistant Professor of Composition at Texas State University, Michael Ippolito’s music has been praised by the New York Times and performed by orchestras as diverse as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, the Cabrillo Festival Orchestra and the Juilliard Orchestra. His composition This Circle is a short piece based on a Croatian folk song “Ovo kolo.” A kolo is a broad category of circle dances, which can be sung or played by instruments, and can range from fast and lively to slow and lyrical. “Ovo kolo” is the slow, stately kind. He first heard this song on an old field recording, sung by a group of Croatian women.
4 SEASONS FOR 3 PIANOS with Matej Mestrovic, Matija Dedic & Hakan Ali Toker
Navona Records proudly presents 4 SEASONS FOR 3 PIANOS, a whirlwind transcription of Vivaldi’s masterful string concertos by Croatian pianist and composer Matej Meštrović (on the photo). Performing with Hakan A. Toker and Matija Dedić on three pianos (and accordion), Meštrović thoroughly reimagines the four concertos, his work exceeding that of a normal transcription. The collection, in such a radical new form, becomes almost a whole new work.
Ruggiero Boscovich – Rudjer Boskovic (1711-1787) has a memorial plaque in Milano
In June 2017, on Piazzale Borromeo in the heart of Milan, a commemoration ceremony and performance took place for Ruđer Bošković, native of Dubrovnik and the most distinguished scientist in Croatia’’s history, outside the Church of Santa Maria Podone, where he was buried on 13 February 1787. A memorial constructed of Dubrovnik Mironja stone was unveiled with the support of renowned lawyer, Cristian Pambianchi, an esteemed friend to Dubrovnik, and realized by the Croatia’’s Consulate General in Milan. On the photo Ivana Marija Vidović, distinguished Croatian pianist, by the memorial plaque dedicated to Ruggiero Boscovich – Ruđer Bošković.
International Flute Summer Courses in Karlovac, Croatia 2-9 July 2017
Each day is intense and educational (and fun) from morning until night, and filled with flute lectures, workshops, and performances that span classical, contemporary, jazz, latin jazz, and other styles. All student performances and masterclasses will be accompanied by MISAKI BABA, the official CFA piano-accompanist. We will practice, play and perform at the beautiful Zorin Dom city theatre in Karlovac. Also planned are short excursions to beautiful local natural locations, that we will use to socialize, share stories and be inspired. Lecturers: Pierre-Yves Artaud (FR), Philippe Allain-Dupres (FR), Peter-Lukas Graf (CH), Dieter Flury (AT), Michele Gori (IT), Carine Dupres (FR).
Mike Vucelic 1931-2012 Apollo system manager for NASA and Rockwell in charge of 300 NASA engineers
Milojko Mike Vucelic, born in the town of Garešnica, Croatia, completed the Faculty of Machanical Engineering of the University of Zagreb in 1954. Since January 1962 he worked for Apollo, and subsequently he served as one of directors of the Apollo Program. The mission of Apollo 8 in 1968 was circulating around Moon’s orbit with the crew of three astronauts, and Mike Vucelic considers this to be his greatest success in professional life in the USA. During the Apollo 11 mission, he was at the control of the flight, just beside Gene Kranz, who served as the chief of the control. Due to this success in saving the Apollo 13 crew (Hello Houston… we have a problem), he was awarded by the Presidential Medal of Freedom by the then president of the USA.
Zoran Primorac Croatian table-tennis legend in New York at the WTTC on June 18, 2017
The Westchester Table Tennis Center welcomes Zoran Primorac, Croatian table-tennis legend, Seven-time, Olympian and medalist, at the European Championships. Silver medalist at the 1988 Olympics. One of the top European players of the past 25 years. On Sunday, June 18, 2017 two 90-minute group training sessions: Noon-1:30 and 2:00-3:30 pm. Every participant will get to play with Primorac personally plus: Party all afternoon. Beer, wine, soft drinks and snacks from Noon to 3:30. Food from 3:30 to 6:30. Also: Exhibition matches and remarks by Mr. Primorac at 4:30 pm.
AMCA Paris organized two lectures dedicated to Croatian Glagolitic Script in May 2017
Upon the invitation of AMCA Paris (a society of former students of Croatian Universities, living in Paris), Mauricij Frka Petešić and Darko Žubrinić had the honor to deliver a joint lecture entitled “Croatian Glagolitic culture and its European context” (May 4th 2017), with a special emphasis on Croatian-French relations. Two days later, D.Ž. had a short palaeographic course for children about Croatian Glagolitic, based on manuscripts written arround 1400 at Sorbonne in Paris by Georges d’Esclavonie (+1416), Croatian Glagolitic priest who entered into the history of French literature. On the photo are the lecturers with Mrs. Lamia Barbier Ruždić, president of AMCA Paris.
George Skurla 1921-2001 led the 1600-man team that built the historic Apollo 11 lunar landing module
In 1965, George Skurla became director of operations for Grumman at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Kennedy Space Center (KSC). In that position, he brought together the 1,600-man Grumman team responsible for the final assembly, test and pre-launch checkout for the Apollo lunar module vehicle. Skurla led the team that built the historic Apollo 11 lunar landing module. The lunar modul spacecraft, which was designed, developed and produced by Grumman co., was the final stage in NASA’s Apollo Program which landed American astronauts on the surface of the moon. The family of Skurla (Škurla) has Croatian roots, from Herzegovina, near the environs of the Dubrovnik area.
International conference in Biograd and Zadar on the phenomenon of glagolitic script in May 12-13th, 2017
Thirty three scientists from Croatia, Austria, Italy, Japan, Russia and Slovenia participated at the Conference. It has been superbly organized by the city of Biograd and the University of Zadar (which the oldest Croatian university, founded in 1396), as well as by Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Old Slavonic Insitute, Matrix Croatica Zadar. The Conference was held under auspices of the President of the Republic of Croatia. On the photo Dr. Keiko Mitani from Tokyo, one of the participants and contributors to the Conference. She speaks Croatian, and completed her PhD at the University of Zagreb, Croatia.
Croatia from Heaven
Croatia’s coastline is without a doubt one of the most beautiful Mediterranean destinations. Croatia hugs the Adriatic’s warm waters and presents one of the most beautiful Mediterranean getaways, so make the Eastern European nation your next Mediterranean retreat. Croatia has been called home by a number of people from a myriad of different cultures, and added its own unique culture and architecture to the mix, giving cities like Zagreb, Dubrovnik, Split and Rijeka different atmospheres and qualities. On the photo, the unique heart-shaped island of Galešnjak near the city of Biograd.
Drago's Restaurant a part of close-knit Croatian community in New Orleans
Drago and Klara Cvitanovich opened their restaurant in New Orleans in 1969. They set out to offer delicious seafood and a good time to guests for a reasonable price. At that time, they couldn’t even imagine how many guests would become. Drago’s now has more than 400 employees who help us carry our legacy forward. In the weeks after Katrina tornado, their restaurant gave away more than 75,000 free meals. In March 2017, Nenad Bach visited Tommy Cvitanovich, the son of Drago and Karla, who is currently leading the company.
Dora Pejacevic 1885-1923 the first internationally known Croatian woman composer
Born into an old, noble family, the talented pianist would grow up to become one of the most influential figures in Croatian music. During her short life (she died in childbirth at the age of 38) she composed 57 completed works, including a hefty ouvre for solo piano, sixteen chamber works, and dozens of lieder. But she made her mark with the human voice; Pejačević is credited with bringing orchestral song to Croatian late-Romantic music.
Sead Muhamedagic 1954-2021 distinguished Croatian literary translator from German
Sead Ivan Muhamedagić (1954-2021) was born in Zagreb, where he worked as a literary translator, journalist and poet. He translated fiction, poems, essays, scholarly texts on literature and music as well as pedagogical texts from German into Croatian, and vice versa. He translated works of German-language authors such as Thomas Berhnhard, Elfriede Jelinek, Annemarie Schimmel, Werner Schwab, Arthur Schnitzler, Peter Turrini, Karl Kraus, Gert Jonke, Klaus Hensel and W.G. Sebald. Despite being blind since his birth, he was working not only in Zagreb, but is also teaching students in Austria, at the Pedagogical College in the city of Graz.
Hrvojka Mihanovic Salopek presenting Croatian Mariological Heritage of the Varazdin Bishopric
Dr. Hrvojka Mihanović-Salopek prepared already her tenth DVD covering various aspects of extremely rich mariological heritage among Croatians. This DVD refers to the Varaždin Bishopric on Croatian north. Numerous baroque churches, lavishly decorated by Ivan Ranger and other Baroque artists, provide a special touch into the architecture of the city of Varaždin and surrounding towns and villages. A special emphasis is placed on the natural beauties of the region, liturgical and folk melodies, as well as on centuries old Croatian literature.