In front of over two thousand people who filled the Sao Paulo Concert Hall, Ivana Vidović had the honor to became the first Croatian pianist to perform in Brazil. With the support of the Symphony Orchestra of the University of Sao Paulo – one of the best symphony orchestras in Latin America – under the baton of maestro Luis Fernando Malheiro, Ivana Vidović played the Piano Concerto in C-sharp Minor, Op.30 by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov in honor of his 170th anniversary. This musical piece, composed in tribute to Franz Liszt, is rarely played, making the event even more special.
Tomislav Bralić & Klapa Intrade USA and Canada 2014 Tour
Over the decades certainly became one of the most popular Croatian music groups. From the one of the most awarded a cappella groups in 90’s, to “mega stars” delivering breathtaking performances in sold-out arenas and stadiums! Their international performances include multiple visits to: USA, Australia, Canada, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Germany, Ukraine, Bosnia, and Italy. During their second visit to the USA & Canada, they will showcase their unique talent that stays true to the core of Croatian culture and heritage.
TORONTO CROATIA Great Croatian Story… documentary by Hrvoje Hitrec, Jakov Sedlar and Josip Pavicic
The Documentary film “Toronto Croatia – Great Croatian Story…”, from Screenwriter Hrvoje Hitrec, Director Jakov Sedlar and Producer Josip Pavicic captures and for the first time presents the great and unrepeatable Historical documentation. All important witnesses of these Historical accomplishments of Eusebio, Grnja, Bradvic, Bilic, Kenfelja, Ante Pavlovic, Simunic, Suker, Niko Kovac as well as Robert Iarusci, Bruce Thomas and Ante Pavelic testify to this unified and unique team. In 1976 Toronto Croatia won the Continental Championship with as many as 20 consecutive wins and became the champion of the North American League.
Dubrovnik Restaurant to celebrate first anniversary on August 28, 2014
Dubrovnik Restaurant located in New Rochelle, New York will celebrate its first anniversary on August 28, 2014. Dubrovnik serves Croatian dishes and gets its name from owner Zeljko “Jerry” Tomic’s hometown. The first annual celebration will have limited seats and will be by reservation only. Doors open at 6:00 p.m.
Ana Simic Croatian high jumper winner of bronze medal at European Championships in Zurich 2014
Ana Šimić won bronze medal for Croatia at the European Athletic Championship in Zurich, with her personal best result of 199 cm. Earliear in 2014 she was the winner of the prestigious Diamond League in high jumping for women, organized in Shanghai. Ana is an excellent follower of great Blanka Vlašić. She was born in Gradačac in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1990.
Sandra Perkovic Croatian gold medal winner in discus throw at European Championships in Zurich in 2014
Sandra Perković won the title of European champion in discus throwing in Zurich, Switzerland, in 2014. It is her THIRD consecutive title, and this fact is unique for this sport. Her winning throw was more than 71 meters. Three of her other attempts at the competition would also suffice for the gold medal. The winner of the silver medal representing France had more than 5m weaker result, which shows the dominance of Sandra Perković in this sport. This is one of the greatest achievements in the history of Croatian sports. Sandra is also the current Olympic Champion nad World Champion in discus throwing.
Martin Markovic junior world champion in discus throwin for 2014 at Hayward Field in Eugene USA
Martin Markovic became the second Croatian male athlete to win a world junior title and the first one in 12 years with a world-junior-leading 66.94m in the discus final at Hayward Field. It was his first global medal after four appearances in World Youth and World Junior Championships finals. Markovic’s gold was Croatia’s second medal in Eugene after Sara Kolak took the silver in the javelin.
Royals by Lorde and the global echo of the most popular song for 2013
Lorde is a very young singer from New Zealand, who won the Grammy Award as the best singer for 2013. Her connection with Croatia is her mother, who is Croatian, while her father is Irish. Her most popular song, Royals, has acquired amazing reception throughout the world. It suffices to see and listen to dozens of other singers and numerous choirs, who sing it and bring to it something new. We provide just a small overview of numerous very witty and entertaining interpretations.
Ivan Saric of Croatia winning at World Chess Olympiad against Magnus Carlsen the current world champion
In the 10th round of the Chess Olympiad in Tromsoe, World Champion Magnus Carlsen lost to Croatia’s Ivan Šarić, and Norway’s team A lost to Croatia 0.5-3.5. It is interesting that it the 2014 World Chess Olympiad is world’s 4th largest sporting event, and Norway’s Prime Minister Erna Solberg opened proceedings and made the first move for Norway’s world chess champion Magnus Carlsen, which he then lost with Ivan Šarić. Ivan Šarić is a former Junior World Chess Champion and Junior European Chess Champion.
Otto Piene 1928-2014 in light of poetry and gesture described by Ante Glibota Croatian historian of art
Otto Piene is distinguished German artist, a leading figure of European post-war avant-garde. In 1974, he was appointed as director of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Center for Advanced Visual Studies, USA, and stayed on this position during 25 years. Croatian historian of Art and Architecture Mr. Ante Glibota is the author of two extensive monographs about Otto Piene. We provide the text of his Introduction to joint monograph with Otto Piene and Fernando Abral. Mr. Glibota had an exception honor to open, jointly with Mr. Otto Piene, two grand exhibitions in Berlin, one in Neue National Galerie and another one in Deutsche Bank Kunsthalle, in 16th July 2014.
Yin Yang fantastic Chinese painter exhibited in 2014 in Croatia due to indefatigable Ante Glibota
Due to the efforts of indefatigable Mr. Ante Glibota, Croatian artistic critic and director of galleries in Paris in Shanghai, Croatia had a rare opportunity to be acquainted with some of the finest contemporary Chinese artists. Two exhibitions were organized in 2014, one in the city of Pula, and another one in the city of Rijeka. Here we concentrate on works of art Yin Yang, with his artistic (as well as social and philosophical) theme of coal miners. It is in a sense autobiographica exhibition, since Yin Yang worked as a coal miner during about two decades. After Croatia, the exhibition will be shown in Belgium and France. Mr Ante Glibota is a leading international authority for contemporary Chinese art.
Operation "Storm" 1995 prevented new genocide in BiH and liberated occupied parts of Croatia
Congratulations on the occasion of Victory Day and the Day of Croatian Defenders on 5th August to citizens of Croatia and all Croatians in the world. The old Fortress of Croatian King Zvonimir (from 11th century) under the Croatian flag, in liberated town of Knin, just a few days after the start of the operation “Storm” in 1995, has been visited by dr. Franjo Tuđman, the then president of the Republic of Croatia, together with Gojko Šušak, Minister of Defense (both on the photo), general Ante Gotovina and others. The town of Knin has been liberated after five years of occupation.
Drazen Prelec distinguished Croatian expert for Neuroeconomics and professor at MIT, USA
Professor Drazen Prelec, born in Croatia’s capital Zagreb in 1955, completed his studies of Applied Mathematics at Harvard University in 1978, and earned Ph.D in 1983 in Experimental Psychology. He is one of the leading experts in Neuroeconomics, where pscychology and neuroscience intersect. Professor Prelec investigates both the development of normative decision theory and the exploration of the empirical failures of that theory. He is professor at MIT, holding three appointments: at the Department of Economics, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, and at the Sloan School of Management.
Malka Marom from Israel and Joso Spralja from Croatia singing sensation from 1960s
In 1963, Malka Marom and Joso Špralja formed the singing duo Malka & Joso. For the next four and half years, they sang folk songs of many lands in fourteen languages – well above ground: in Yorkville’s coffee houses, college campuses, supper clubs, radio and TV and Capitol recordings. In their repertoire they had Israeli and and Croatian songs as well. Malka & Joso have recorded four albums. Malka & Joso Forever, a CD retrospective of their songs was released by EMI in 2001 to rave reviews.
Mladen Bestvina Croatian mathematician delivered a lecture at the Institut Henri Poincare in Paris
Professor Mladen Bestvina is distinguished Croatian mathematician working at the University of Utah in the USA. Trained in mathematical sciences at the University of Zagreb, he is a corresponding member of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts. In 2014 he had the honor to deliver the invited lecture at the Insitut Henry Poincare in Paris, one of the most prestigious mathematical institutions in the world. The title of his talk was “On the asymptotic dimension of a curve complex”. On the photo Professor Bestvina with his wife Mrs. Cynthia.
Croatian choirs Kastavke and Jane won gold medals at the World Choir Games in Riga Latvia 2014
Croatia successfully participated at the 8th World Choir Games in Riga, winning two gold medals (Kastavke on the photo, Jane, Mir) in various categories: two silver medals and one bronze (Earobna frula), as well as two gold diplomas (Mir). This competition is the largest choir competition in the world, organized in 29 categories, in which 460 choirs participated with about 27000 singers from 73 countries representing all five continents.
Michel Iellatchitch from France descendant of the Russian branch of noble Croatian family of Jelacic
Mr. Michel Iellatchitch, citizen of France living in the province of Alsace, visited the city of Zagreb from April 25th till 28th with his two sons Victor and François. While walking through the Zrinjevac park, a local guide, describing them important Croatian historical persons, asked them if they are familiar with the name of Jelačić. They answered: “Yes, we are Jelačić’s!” Mr. Michel Ielatchitch is a descendant of the so called Russian branch of this noble Croatian family, about the history of which he has written a very nice historical survey in the French language, available via Internet.
Participants of the Croatian World Games in the Zagreb Cathedral and at Jelacic Square 2014
About 750 young Croatians from 25 countries, accompanied by their relatives and friends, attended the solemn Holy Mass at the Zagreb Cathedral, delivered by Bishop Mijo Gorski. It was an unusual and exceptionally pleasant scenery, with so many enthusiastic young people in their colorful costumes, decorated with various insignia representing Croatia and the countries of their residence. After Mass a cultural program ensued with the official opening of the Third Croatian World Games. The aim of these Games is to connect Croatian people by means of sports. The event was started by the Croatian World Congress and is supported by Croatian institutions.
Adriatica Croatian Village in Mckinney, Texas USA, founded by Jeffory D. Blackard
Not a big chest-pounder, Mr. Jeff Blackard is largely under the radar locally. He’s probably best known for developing Adriatica in McKinney, whose centerpiece is the bell tower. The $350 million, 45-acre mixed-use project on Virginia Parkway and Stonebridge Drive is modeled after Supetar, a small fishing village on the island of Brae off the coast of Croatia. Looking out from Blackard’s perch at Adriatica, with its cobblestone streets, island chapel, and Old World architecture, it’s easy to imagine that you’re in another place and time.
Croatia winner of the European Senior Taekwondo Championships 2014 held in Baku in Azerbaijan
Croatia, with the astonishing performance of twins Lucija (on the photo) and Ana Zaninović, became Champion of the European Senior Taekwondo Championships, obtaining six medals (3 Golds, 2 Silvers, and 1 Bronze). The first place has been won among 46 participating countries at the European Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan. Another great international succes: young Matea Jelić and Ivana Babić won gold medals at the 2014 Junior World Taekwondo Championships in Taiwan.