By age 12, the Baron kids were proficient on traditional Croatian tamburitza instruments such as the prim, tambura and bas-prim, and were put to work playing at weddings, apartments or wherever my great-grandfather could hire them out (places where shots of whiskey apparently flowed during breaks). Their parents are from Zagreb, Croatia, who carved out a life in Braddock, in a rented flat near Pittsburgh’s burgeoning steel mills.
Tomislav Sunic former Croatian diplomat author of the monograph Chronique des Temps Modernes in 2014
One is surprised when Tomislav Sunić, a political theorist and former Croatian diplomat, states that Europeans have as much to learn from Americans as Americans, from Europeans. The reason is that far too many European nationalists still define themselves through a hostility and antagonism towards neighboring Europeans. As Sunic argues, in light of our current geopolitical situation, European nationalists cannot afford the luxury of dwelling on historical grievances, no matter how real they might be.
Ljubo Krasic director of Croatian Ethnic Institute in Chicago, USA
The Franciscans established the Croatian Ethnic Institute in 1975, with headquarters in Chicago, for the purpose of preserving and promoting the Croatian heritage in the United States and Canada. This foundation was established with one far-sighted goal, namely, that all which is valuable and in any way related to the Croatians could be found in one place and used for various kinds of research. An additional goal of the Institute was to promote Croatian history, culture, literature, and heritage. The current director of the Croatian Ethnic Institute is fra Ljubo Krasić.
Diljem Hrvatske prikuplja se pomoć stradalima od poplava
Caritas Zagrebačke nadbiskupije poziva ljude dobre volje na solidarnost i djelotvornu ljubav prema stradalima u poplavama. Svi koji žele pomoći mogu to učiniti na dva načina: uplatom na račun Caritasa Zagrebačke nadbiskupije: IBAN HR1823600001101340277, poziv na broj 05400; donacijom hrane koja može duže stajati, vode, odjeće i higijenskih potrepština, koje su sada najpotrebnije. Donacije je moguće predati sljedećih dana od 8 do 18 sati na ovim adresama: Gajnice (Crnojezerska 20), Trešnjevka (Selska cesta 165), Dubrava (Avenija Dubrava 220) i Rakitje (Ribička 4).
Glasovanje u Generalnom konzulatu Republike Hrvatske u New Yorku
Podsjećamo hrvatske državljane koji su se do 14. svibnja 2014. pismeno prijavili Generalnom konzulatu Republike Hrvatske u New Yorku za glasovanje u izboru članova iz Republike Hrvatske u Europski parlament, da mogu u isti Konzulat na adresi: 369 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10017, 11 kat pristupiti glasovanju u nedjelju, 25. svibnja 2014. od 7 do 19 sati.
Ivan Hrvoic Croatian scientist, inventor, entrepreneur and benefactor in Canada
Ivan Hrvoić completed his studies in Electrical Engineering at the University of Zagreb, and earned his PhD in the field of Experimental Physics from the same university. In 1972 he immigrated to Canada, where in 1982 he founded Geo Systems, Inc., which is today the leading producer of magnetometers in the world, exporting its product to numerous countries, including Israel. In the late 1980’s he participated in founding the Alumni Society of former students of Croatian Universities (AMCA Toronto), and from 1990-1995 was the president of this organization. His humanitarian and media activities in Canada were extremely important during the 1990-1995 aggression on Croatia.
Vlasta Zekulic Croatian Army female officer trained Afghan military police
Croatian female military police officer Vlasta Zekulić, PhD in international relations and national security, trained Afghan military police, despite social taboos. In Croatia during her career, she commanded military police platoon and company, and as instructor trained Croatian officers for missions, and then in Afghanistan she trained Afghan military police students on military investigation and work of the provost marshals. She was not afraid of being discriminated against because she is a woman. She completed her education at the Croatian Defense Academy “Petar Zrinski” and at the prestigious Military Academy “The Citadel” in South Carolina in the USA.
Startup!Croatia Conference May 22-23, 2014 in Zagreb to facilitate changes in values and habits
The main goal of the conference is to show participants some real examples of how dynamic, innovative and entrepreneurial organizational culture can be developed inside a large, medium or small organization, how to increase profitability and improve competitiveness and company’s overall functioning. In addition, to facilitate changes in values and habits, changes in majority of population lacking initiative, creativity and openness for new business ideas and opportunities.
"Croatian Cuisine" is the first mobile app to feature indigenous Croatian recipes
“Croatian cuisine” is the name of the new Croatian mobile application in the form of an inventive culinary guide that primarily helps users find their way through indigenous and traditional Croatian dishes. This mobile application is entirely a Croatian “product” – under the authorship of Andreja Horvatić, the application was developed by two Croatian companies Interactive1 and Grafikon. It is available via the App Store and Google Play.
Loreta Kovacic Croatian pianist-composer, singer and Boom Boom Room performer in Houston
Kovacic had a bright future as a classical pianist; she gave two solo performances at Carnegie Hall, the latest in 2008. “The New York critics said there was hope for me with 20th Century music,” she says. Now she composes and directs children’s musicals, and plays around town at venues like the Mucky Duck, the Contemporary Arts Museum, and, this Saturday night, at the Boom Boom Room. sings. Her show includes songs from countries that she likes – Brazil, Cuba, Italy and her own compositions.
Latica Anić won 1st Prize at Liezen International Cello Competition in Austria
Latica Anić (19), cello student at the Zagreb Academy of Music, in the class of prof. Valter Despalj, won 1st Prize at the Liezen (Austria) International Cello Competition. There were over 40 students from Europe, Asia and America competing in her age category of 19 to 23. The panel of judges was composed of distinguished professors from music academies in Vienna, Cologne, Ljubljana, Prague and Salzburg. Her interpretations of demanding works by Boccherini, Beethoven, Elgar and Ligeti were also met with very enthusiastic applause from the audience.
Ivan Bjelovucic the first in history to fly over the Alps in 1913
One of the greatest successes of Ivan Bjelovučić (1889 – 1949) was achieved on 25 January 1913 when, as a French pilot, he managed to fly over the Alps between Brigue and Domodossola in 26 minutes and thus become the first pilot in the history who did it. Born in Peru, on his father’s side he was a descendant from the family of sea captains from Janjina, Pelješac peninsula in Croatia. Recently a postage stamp was issued in his honor in Croatia in 100,000 copies.
The Countdown Trilogy is a spy thriller written by Zdravko Basaric under the pseudonym of Patrick Hughes
The Trilogy Countdown is not only a tense spy-political thriller written by a Croatian author, Zdravko Basaric under the pseudonym of Patrick Hughes. It is a tense spy-political thriller with an uncertain ending, about an ordinary businessman Martin Balarin (36) from New York accidentally facing a spy war. The reason for that is a well-paid job in a diving expedition on his native island of Korcula (Croatia) and a beautiful woman named Bianca Stone (27), whom he meets while in a meeting in Atlantic City.
15th Dance and Non-Verbal Theatre Festival in Svetvineenat – July 18-21, 2014
This year, Festival activities will start in June at the Mediterranean Dance Centre in Svetvineenat, a regular meeting place of Croatian and foreign artists at artistic residences and workshops. The peak of dance “season” is undoubtedly the 15th Dance and Non-verbal Theatre Festival, which will be held from July 18 to July 21, featuring choreographers from the whole of Europe. Performances will be staged at four attractive locations: under the starry sky at the renaissance square, inside Grimani castle, in the loggia and at the earlier mentioned Mediterranean Dance Centre.
LET'S CEE Film Festival Short Film Competition – due date for submissions June 7, 2014
The 3rd edition of the LET’S CEE Film Festival is calling for entries for the 2014 Short Film Competition. Films can be submitted between 7 April and 7 June, 2014. The Short Film Competition will give young filmmakers (up to 35 years of age) from Central and Eastern Europe, as well as from Austria, the opportunity to submit their short films with a maximum length of 30 minutes. The films featured in this competition can be submitted personally by their respective directors or producers.
Goran Visnjic in an appeal for the Croatian Scholarship Fund
The Croatian Scholarship Fund recently celebrated its 25th anniversary with a dinner in Sacramento. The crowd was surprised with a video message from movie and television actor Goran Visnjic congratulating the Croatian Scholarship Fund on its many years of success. Goran in the video reminds the audience to bid early and often for a special live auction item, which is lunch in Los Angeles with Goran. This item received the highest bid in the live auction with spirited bidding for several minutes before the final winner was announced at the CSF Gala Dinner.
Oliver Dragojević USA Tour May 10-24, 2014 featuring Nina Badrić, Ljiljana Nikolovska, and Tedi Spalato
Music legend, Oliver Dragojević, bard of Croatian music returns with his band “Dupini” to the United States May 2014. Influenced by global music trends, his work still preserves the elements of Dalmatian music, the key to his more than 40-year sparkling career. Oliver’s previous performances took place in many renowned venues around the world including sold-out concerts in: Olympia-Paris, Royal Albert Hall-London, Carnegie Hall-New York, and Sydney Opera-Australia.
Happy Easter – Sretan Uskrs 2014 through art of Jozo Kljakovic
Wishing a Happy Easter to all readers of the CROWN, we touch a part of the work of art of distinguished Croatian painter Jozo Kljaković (1889-1969). In Zagreb there is a Memorial Museum of Jozo Kljaković, dedicated to his life and work. He is well known for his frescos in the Pontifical Croatian St. Jerome Institute in Rome and in the church of St. Mark in Zagreb.
‘Everything is Forever’ biographic film about Nenad Bach wins international filmfest top awards in Houston
The journey of Croatian-American composer/singer and writer Nenad Bach through war and peace, and rock and roll captured in the documentary/feature film ‘Everything is Forever’ won top awards at the 47th Annual Worldfest Houston International Film Festival (April 4-13). The feature film garnered the prestigious Platinum Remi Award for Theatrical Feature Film & Video Award and the Special Jury Remi Award for Music Video Award – Stage Concert/ Performance. Written by Violi Calvert. On the photo Stehanie Silber, Victor Zimet and Nenad.
The Croatian Academy of America celebrates 61 years 1953 – 2014
The Croatian Academy of America is celebrating its 61st anniversary with its Annual Dinner to be held on Saturday, April 26, 2014 at Appetito Ristorante in New York City with cocktails starting at 6:30 p.m. and dinner starting at 7:30 p.m. The keynote address will be made by Frank Jankac on “Enemy Aliens: Recovering the Unknown Story of the Internment of Croats in North America During World War I”. An additional presentation will be made to commemorate the work of the late Karlo Mirth.