CROWN - Croatian World Network - http://www.croatia.org/crown
CROWN Croatian World Network Newsletter, October 26, 2008
http://www.croatia.org/crown/articles/9680/1/CROWN-Croatian-World-Network-Newsletter-October-26-2008.html
By Nenad N. Bach
Published on 10/26/2008
 
 On a lighter note, there were never unchallenging times. This time around, information and misinformation is widely available, so it is more than ever up to all of us to make a difference. Read about stories of Croatian talented people, our true pride, true heroes and not just victims, people who contributed with more than their own life and suffering . CROWN Croatia.org  and CroatianHistory.net became the most visible Croatian sites in the world, outside of Croatia.
Editorial
.



C R O A T I A . O R G
                                                                                                                                           photo by Risha 
 
 
Dear All,
 
It's been more than five months since I wrote an editorial. CROWN is always being updated, so do not wait for my letter...check on your own whenever you can. The CROWN forum is open and it seems to me that CROWN Forum is becoming what CROWN used to be. It has a greater degree of interactivity between CROWN, its members and people interested in Croatia and its culture. To access the forum, point your browser to www.croatia.org/forum and register or go through the main page and click Forum (in the blue line on the top). Click here below and see for yourself. Participate with interesting articles. It takes less than a minute to post an article. We put new articles on a daily bases. Hopefully more posts from Joza Vrljicak in Spanish corner. Studia Croatica is going full speed ahead.
 
 
Many interesting and good news.
 
Katarina Livljanić, singer and musicologist, is one of the principal international specialists in medieval chant performance. If you are in Kansas City, Vancouver or Chicago, go and see this incredible show.
 
Croatian Heroes: Heroes of Vukovar TV serial by Eduard & Dominik Galic, part 9 will be broadcast next Friday. We opened a new category Croatian Heroes to emphasize the lack of recognition of true heroes. This 10 part series is well documented on CROWN. Watch it over the Internet at the address: http://www.hrt.hr/index.php?id=hrt-uzivo
Daily TV Dnevnik you can see around 4-5 PM EST at: http://www.hrt.hr/index.php?id=181
 
If you want to see me (Nenad Bach) performing LIVE at Fairleigh Dickinson University Nov. 1st 2008, go ahead and reserve your ticket. It is a free concert, explained by promoter John Dull. Some prominent names are on the ticket.
 
"Dining at Delmonico's" is a new book by Judith Choate and James Canora. I was honored to be invited at Delmonico for the celebration and promotion of the book. See photos at http://nenadbach.blogspot.com/  
 
Fr. Ante Gabric' (Metkovic', Croatia 1915 - Bengal, 1988) lived like a  Bengali, and he worked tirelessly for the spiritual development of  the Bengali community in India. People in Bengal consider Fr. Gabric' should be beatified like mother Teresa. Writes prof.dr. Darko Zubrinic.
 
In these uncertain and challenging times, Croatian Americans, like all Americans, are looking for a President that provides leadership. I am voting for Obama Biden ticket. Check www.CroatiansForObama.com Barack Obama's biography is being published in Croatia by Naklada Zadro. Book is out in a few days on October 3oth.2008
 
The Cravat. On the occasion of the International Day of The Cravat on the 18th of October we invite all the English speaking individuals to call the knotted scarf around their neck by it's original name the cravat instead of a tie and a necktie. Read about Marija Busic.
 
Ivan Vucetic' is the father of dactilosopy - fingerprinting as a method of identification. This year we mark 150 years since his birth on the island of Hvar, Croatia 
 
Helen Crlenkovich renowned Croatian - American springboard diver.was one of the most successful athletes in America and the world on the three-meter springboard and the ten-meter platform. She was an American-born Croatian lovingly known as  "Klinky." She was the first female to do a full-twisting 1 1/2 somersault and several other dives that were heretofore only achieved by men.
 
CROWN presents Croatian Heroes: Vinko Gecan USA (1862-1916) is one whose name is woven into the historical fabric of our Croatian and American people. True heroism is not something that is planned. Rather, it is something that takes place under difficult circumstances as presented by life. Heroic moments are those that for some mysterious urge within us surface out of love for others - those in danger or need.
 
Pandora.com The Music Genome Project plays Nenad Bach music from March 28th. We set out to capture the essence of music at the most fundamental level. We ended up assembling literally hundreds of musical attributes or "genes" into a very large Music Genome. Everything from melody, harmony and rhythm, to instrumentation, orchestration, arrangement, lyrics, and of course the rich world of singing and vocal harmony. It's not about "looks" or "genre". Revolution in music. If you live in the USA check www.Pandora.com and www.pandora.com/people/nenadbach
 
  
And many, many more: From Andrija Stampar to Blanka Vlasic...
 
The Croatian Constellation is happening. So far these are four websites that have found a common interest and sensibility: www.croatia.org , www.croatianhistory.net , www.studiacroatica.org and www.croatianworldcalendar.com run by the team of people. Darko Zubrinic (Croatia), Joza Vrljicak (Argentina), Marko Puljic (USA, St Louis), Ratimir Mocnaj (Montreal, Canada) and myself Nenad Bach (USA New York), plus many correspondents around the world including our very active and consistent Violi Calvert from Sydney Australia. We are approaching 200.000 hits per day. Yes you read it right.
 
We expect more websites to be part of this Croatian Constellation, but we talk the talk and walk the walk, slowly... and the synergy is great.
 
 
Challenging times in Croatia are in front of us. And it is not just in Croatia. It is world wide for different reasons, but equally challenging. We Croatians have seen worse than this, through our 13 centuries documented history... and we survived. This too shall pass.
 
These are exciting times to live in. I guess all times are exciting, but when I say exciting I mean always challenging. Last century, more than 100 million people violently lost their lives. Did we learn something from it, or our lives are too short to transfer the knowledge to the next generation. In my opinion ALL WARS CAN BE STOPPED IN ONE HOUR. If only people will stand up together and say ENOUGH! Only few get rich and the rest of us suffer through the horrors of wars.

We are faced with a major financial crisis and the advise that comes to us, comes from the same source that caused it, with so called "bail out plan". I am not sure how much money did these people "earn" - Ben Bernake and Henry Paulson, but amount of half a billion was mentioned few times, without winking. If someone can earn that much by shuffling papers, we have to look ourselves in the mirror. It is not just Republican responsibility, it is responsibility of all people who are in power to say what they have to say. It is interesting how Singapore doesn't have much crime. Do you think that they are of a higher consciousness? .

Absolutely not. Punishment is so devastating that people will not risk. Law must reflect justice, but if someone steals from government (read us), than that person can NEVER EVER work for us (read government). And that principle doesn't go just for USA or Croatia. It goes for the rest of the world. Corruption will be down in 7 days by 98%.

Violence perpetuate greed.  Stop the wars, stop the greed.

Talking about corruption, Just in:

October 27th, 2008 7 PM
 
Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens was convicted of seven corruption charges Monday in a trial that threatened to end the 40-year career of Alaska's political patriarch in disgrace. The verdict, coming barely a week before Election Day, increased Stevens' difficulty in winning what already was a difficult race against Democratic challenger Mark Begich, to be the first Croatian American Senator. CROWN supports Mark Begich. Democrats hope to seize the once reliably Republican seat as part of their bid for a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate.

Other than that, all is fine and dandy.

On a lighter note, there were never unchallenging times. This time around, information and misinformation is widely available, so it is more than ever up to all of us to make a difference.

Read about stories of Croatian talented people, our true pride, true heroes and not just victims, people who contributed with more than their own life and suffering . CROWN Croatia.org  and CroatianHistory.net became the most visible Croatian sites in the world, outside of Croatia. For that I thank all of you who support CROWN and specially Darko Zubrinic and Marko Puljic whose contribution is daily for years. CROWN will celebrate 10 years in 2009.

Svako dobro, keep it optimistic.
 
Nenad N. Bach
New York, October 26, 2008
 
If you recommend someone that you know, to receive CROWN newsletter, send their name and email address to: data@croatia.org  and/or letters@croatia.org with CROWN DATA , their email and their name in the subject line.
 
On a personal musical level, I am preparing for a few major projects in music and for those who are interested you will be able to read more through my new Blog: http://nenadbach.blogspot.com/ or : http://www.myspace.com/nenadbach and www.nenadbach.com.
 
And the best is yet to come....

Letters@Croatia.org
 

Never doubt that a small, group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.
Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead

Ovo su suradnici koji ce plasirati Vasu informaciju na CROWN www.croatia.org , CROWN Forum www.croatia.org/forum, Calendar www.croatianworldcalendar.com, History page www.croatianhistory.net i Studia Croatica www.studiacroatica.org . Joza Vrljicak ima stranicu i na Spanjolskom.
 
This is Croatian Constellation Team
 
Nenad Bach: letters@croatia.org , CROWN
Marko Puljic: marko@croatia.org - stecak@sbcglobal.net CROWN - Crown Forum
Darko Zubrinic: darko@croatia.org History
Joza Vrljicak: joza@croatia.org Studia Croatica
Violi Calvert CROWN Australia violi@croatia.org
Ratimir Mocnaj mocnaj@gmail.com Calendar
 
This page is sponsored by NFCA - National Federation of Croatian Americans


Katarina Livljanic presenting Judith in Vancouver, Chicago and Kansas City
 
Katarina Livljanić, singer and musicologist, is one of the principal international specialists in medieval chant performance. Born in Zadar, Croatia, she directs the vocal ensemble Dialogos, Paris, specializing in medieval chant and liturgical theater of the Glagolitic tradition.  She will perform Judith in Vancouver, Chicago and Kansas City, November 2nd, 7th and 8th, 2008.

Croatian Heroes: Heroes of Vukovar TV serial by Eduard & Dominik Galic, part 8
 
Part 8 of the Vukovar Heroes series by Eduard and Dominik Galić, entitled Slavonska and Hercegovačka Street will be available on Friday 24.10.2008, at 20.10. You'll meet Mirko Brekalo senior, Nenad Gagić (on the photo), Ivan Kapular, Ivica Lukić, Dragan Luketić, Ivica Habajec.

Nenad Bach performing LIVE at Fairleigh Dickinson University Nov. 1st 2008
 

An incredible line-up of cross generational folk stand-outs will perform in a trend-setting concert experience. Join them in song on Saturday, Nov 1, 2008. "An evening of outlandish chuckles and thoughtful folk provocation!" Oscar Brand, Terence Martin, Uncle Floyd, Nenad Bach, John and Martin Dull, Alex Zetelski. Featured seasoned musicians with Nenad: Kinny Landrum, Richard Lindsey, Michael O'Keefe and Mick Hanson.

Ante Gabric the Saint of Sundarban in India
 
  Fr. Ante Gabrić (Metković, Croatia 1915 - Bengal, 1988) lived like a  Bengali, and he worked tirelessly for the spiritual development of  the Bengali community in India. People in Bengal consider Fr. Gabrić should be beatified like mother Teresa and all the people are praying for for this. He was very much related to Blessed Mother Teresa of Kolkata  and they worked hand in hand.

Croatian Americans for Obama Biden 2008
 
"In these uncertain and tough times, Croatian Americans, like all Americans, are looking for a President that provides steady leadership and puts the middle class first," said Representative Peter Visclosky (IN). "Barack Obama will be that President – a President who, by his example, demonstrates that achieving the American dream is still possible."

The CRAVAT instead of a TIE and NECKTIE
 
On the occasion of the International Day of The Cravat on the 18th of October we invite all the English speaking individuals to call the knotted scarf around their neck by it's original name the cravat instead of tie and necktie. The earliest known cravat in history was worn by Ivan Gundulić from the City of Dubrovnik, a famous Croatian poet from the 17th century.

Croatian Heroes: Heroes of Vukovar TV serial by Eduard & Dominik Galic, part 7
 
Part 7 of the Vukovar Heroes series by Eduard and Dominik Galić, entitled New Banijska Street will be available on Friday 17.10.2008, at 20.10. Main characters in this episode are Miroslav and Tomislav Josić, Vlatko Voloder, Ivica Banožić, Ivan Kapula and Dragutin Špac (on the left).

Ivan Vučetić the father of dactilosopy - fingerprinting as a method of identification
 
Ivan Vučetić (1858-1925), in Argentina better known as Juan Vucetich, introduced dactilosopy, that is, fingerprinting as a method of identification. This year we mark 150 years since his birth on the island of Hvar. On this occasion The Croatian Heritage Foundation in Zagreb has organized a series of events and issued a nice publication.

Helen Crlenkovich renowned Croatian - American springboard diver
 
Helen Crlenkovich (1921-1955) was one of the most successful athletes in America and the world on the three-meter springboard and the ten-meter platform. She was an American-born Croatian lovingly known as  "Klinky." She was the first female to do a full-twisting 1 1/2 somersault and several other dives that were heretofore only achieved by men.

Croatian Heroes: Vinko Gecan USA
 
Vinko Gecan (1862-1916) is one whose name is woven into the historical fabric of our Croatian and American people. True heroism is not something that is planned. Rather, it is something that takes place under difficult circumstances as presented by life. Heroic moments are those that for some mysterious urge within us surface out of love for others - those in danger or need.

Croatian Heroes: Heroes of Vukovar TV serial by Eduard & Dominik Galic, part 6
 
We invite you to see Part 6 of the Vukovar Heroes series by Eduard and Dominik Galić, entitled Technical building. It will be available via Croatian Television on Friday, October 10th, 2008,  at 20.10. Main characters in this episode are Marko Filković, Ivo Komšić, Zdravko Mamić, and Ivica Mikula (on the left).

Mirna Brkanovic working on her debut film
 
Mirna Brkanović studied at the Faculty of Philosophy in Zagreb since 1994. In 1997 she started studying  at the Academy of Television and Film in Munich, Germany. "Hidden Truth" is her graduation film. At the moment she is working on her debut film. Her motto is: "Stay true to your deepest and inmost wishes, because one day they will become your true."

Croatian Heroes: Heroes of Vukovar TV serial by Eduard & Dominik Galic, part 5
 

Part 5 of the Vukovar Heroes series by Eduard and Dominik Galić is among others about Zdenko Horvat, Croatian defender (on the left), who destroyed 10 tanks and one armored vehicle and almost alone stopped a large enemy breakthrough in Vukovar across Bobota channel in 1991.
 

page 2 stranica 2
Oliver Dragojevic in Concert at Carnegie Hall, October 9th 2008
  Legendary Croatian recording artist Oliver Dragojevic will perform in the Oliver & Friends concert at Carnegie Hall on October 9th, 2008 at 8:00pm. Joining Mr. Dragojevic will be some of Croatia’s most celebrated talent including Ante Gelo, Drazen Bogdanovic, Boris Popov, Robert Vrbancic and famous Croatian conductor Alan Bjelinski.

Eduard & Dominik Galic Croatian film producers
Eduard Galić and his son Dominik (on the left) are very successful film producers. Especially important is their joint work on the Heroes of Vukovar series, which is just being shown by Croatian Television with great success. Dominik holds a Croatian national record in butterfly swimming.

Mark Begich for U.S. Senate to be the first Croatian American in the U.S. Senate
I met with Mayor Begich last night in Washington, DC and was very impressed with his wit, intelligence and commitment to bring reform and an energy expertise to the U.S. Senate. He acknowledged how pleased his dad was with all the support he received from Croatian Americans when he was starting his first campaign and did get elected to the U.S. Congress in 1970. It's our time now to help elect for the first time ever - a  Croatian American in the U.S. Senate

Croatian Heroes: Heroes of Vukovar TV serial by Eduard & Dominik Galic, part 4
Turbo platoon was sent on most delicate and dangerous tasks in Vukovar's defense. Blago Zadro formed the platoon and was their leader. The main characters are Miro Radmanović, Tomo Jakovljević and Nevenko Mauzer (on the left). Part  4 of the Heros of Vukovar TV serial, Turbo platoon - Friday 26.09.2008 20.10, on Croatian Television.

Marin Soljačić Named MacArthur Fellow for Work on Wireless Power
Asked how it felt to be a certified genius, Marin Soljačić (left) laughed, "What, did I just grow a second head?" No, it's just that his head’s in two fields at once-electrical engineering and physics. That polyvirtuosity may have helped the MIT professor win one of the 25 fellowships announced today by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

Branimir Budetić won silver medal for Croatia in China
Branimir Budetić of Croatia celebrates after finishing second during the final of the men's javelin F11-12 classification event at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games in Beijing on September 10, 2008.

Darko Kralj won gold medal for Croatia in China
Darko Kralj won gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Paraolympic Games in China. Competing in Men's Shot Put he broke a new world record at the National Stadium known as Bird's Nest. He said: "My biggest wish was to listen to the Croatian anthem in Beijing." Mr. Kralj lost his left leg  in 1991 during the Serbian aggression on Croatia (1990-1995).

Croatian Heroes: Dr. Juraj Njavro legendary surgeon at the Vukovar Hospital died
  Dr. Juraj Njavro (1938-2008) was a legendary Croatian surgeon at the Vukovar Hospital in 1991, during one of the most dramatic events in the history of Croatia. He was known as exceptionally pleasant and tolerant person. He wrote a book about his internment after the Serbian occupation of the city of Vukovar.

Antonia Balek won two gold medals for Croatia in China
Antonia Balek two gold medals for Croatia at the 2008 Paraolympic Games in China. The first gold medal has been won in women's javelin, and the second in women's Shot Put, both with new world records. The competition was held in the National Stadium known as Bird's Nest in front of 85,000 spectators. Antonia survived  a deep coma which lasted for 3 years.

The Baska Glagolitic Path on the island of Krk, part 2
The Second International Workshop was devoted to the project of The Baška Glagolitic Path. It had participants from the Czech Republic, Austria and Croatia. Stone monuments have various cities as sponsor. For example, the stone representing the Glagolitic letter P is sponsored by Prague, capital of the Czech Republic. On the left is Erika Šimanić, Rijeka, carving the Glagolitic letter Ž.

Billy Kirchen and his musical "Mirrors of Desire" in New York on October 19th

Mirrors of Desire is a magical love story set to music and dance complete with a fairy godmother of sorts, angels, imps, and of course magic.. Preview of musical, "Mirrors of Desire" is on October 19th 2008 at the Richmond Shepard Theatre 309 East 26th Street, New Yok City, New York. 8 PM. American baritone, pianist, and composer Billy Kirchen is very proud of his Croatian roots.


Croatian Heroes: Heroes of Vukovar TV serial by Eduard & Dominik Galic, part 3
  Little groups of people had been organizing the defense, and soon volunteers have joined. Graduates, peasants and shoemakers became warriors. Heroes of Vukovar TV serial by Eduard & Dominik Galic proceeds with its third episode on Croatian Television: 3. Yellow Ants and Desert Rats -  Friday 19.09.2008 20.10. On the left Blago Zadro, a legendary Croatian defender.

Cradle Of Football Is Not England, But Dalmatia!
In the 1st ct BC, young Illyrian Delmata tribe warriors, bided their time by passing each other a ball made from leather or bull hair. Sinj-based amateur archaeologist Josip Bepo Britvic dedicated his entire life to proving and providing evidence for this theory. Taking a walk in 1947, in hometown Sinj, he saw a rooted relief on a facade, showing a young man holding...a "football".

Croatian Heroes: Heroes of Vukovar TV serial by Eduard & Dominik Galic, part 2
Please, do not miss to see Episode 2 of the serial Heroes of Vukovar by Eduard and Dominik Galić on Croatian TV, Friday 12. 09. 2008. at 20.10.  On the photo on the left is Marko Babić, a legendary Croatian defender.

Dino Dvornik 1964 - 2008
  Dino was full of life, each time I saw him, always showed a lot of respect, because among us who deeply love music there's no holding, there's no faking. We know who is good in few seconds. And Dino was very good. I always enjoyed your closeness, honesty and classy behavior. Elegant, eloquent, respectful, funny, intelligently inquisitive, witty and kind. Svježi vihor.

Spancirfest in Varazdin, a Baroque city in Croatia
  The Varaždin Špancirfest is a regular festival devoted to craftsmanship, music and entertainment by the end of August and beginning of September each year. This very pleasant manifestation visited by thousands of people. It is a paradise for children.

Croatian national costumes in Monostor on the left bank of Danube
  Monoštor is a village on the left bank of Danube, with majority of Croatian population. We present their very nice dresses and female slippers,  see on the left, as well as old photos of  tamburitza players. The photos have been sent to us by prof. Marija Šeremešić living in this village.

For retired coach Chuck Mrazovich, keeping fit's a slam dunk
At 84, Chuck Mrazovich has been aging well. The retired EKU basketball coach keeps himself fit and by staying active with multiple hobbies, like antiques, raising grandchildren designing furniture, playing the brac, eating well and working out.

Croatians in America - photo collection by Vladimir Novak, part 3
Mr. Vladimir Novak brings us a new series of exceptionally interesting photos related to life and work of Croatians in America, collected over several decades in the USA. As in previous two presentations,  much of this material is presented for the first time, exclusively for the readers of CROWN. On the left Marin Plestina, a famous wrestler.

Croatian Heroes: Heroes of Vukovar TV serial by Eduard & Dominik Galic
What about heroic 1991 resistance in Vukovar, which made Croatian state possible? What about men who destroyed those tanks and created the myth about Vukovar. Where are they? What are their names? What were they doing before the war? Who are they after all? And maybe the most important - how did they defeat the enemy so much stronger? In ten episodes.

Blanka Vlasic wins historic Olympic medal for Croatia at Beijing 2008

Then comes a small "poof" when Vlasic lands in the thick pad, the bar undisturbed. Seven times she did this Saturday night, the obediently motionless bar a little higher each time. The noise inhaled by the gasp of 91,000 fans. The high-jump contest was advertised as the showcase of a legend in this sport, Blanka Vlasic's 14-month winning streak at 38. A true pride of Croatia.


Marin Cilic beats Mardy Fish at Pilot Pen for first ATP victory

Marin Cilic of Croatia won his first ATP Tour event Saturday, beating American Mardy Fish 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 at the Pilot Pen, a U.S. Open tuneup. Despite having the crowd against him, the 19-year-old Cilic broke the hard-serving Fish five times, three times in the final set, to secure the win in his first finals appearance.


Filip Ude won silver medal in pommel horse at 2008 Bejing Olympic Games
Filip Ude won the first Croatian medal in gymnastics at Olympic Games. He won silver medal in pommel horse at 2008 Bejing Olympic Games. This is a result of painstaking work, directed by the Russian trainer Igor Kriajimskij. Recently a top quality multipurpose gymnastic center has been opened in Nedelišće on the North of Croatia.

Veljko Rogosic first to swim from Europe to Africa via Sicilia in July 2008
Veljko Rogošić, one of the most famous longdistance swimmers in history, swam from the island of Sicilia to Tunisia at the age of 67! He is thus the first human being to be able to connect Europe and Africa along this way. It took him 50 hours. This is one of the greatest achievements of Croatian sport in history. He is swimming under the motto "With sport against drugs!"

Erik Margan an artistic scientist in search for invisible particles
Erik Margan is a specialist in electronics working in Slovenia, with roots from Croatia. He participates a particle physics experiment called ATLAS at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, Geneva, Switzerland. The ATLAS detector will search for new discoveries in the head-on collisions of protons of extraordinarily high energy.

106 Croatian sportswomen and sportsmen at the 2008 Bejing Olympic Games
Croatia sent the record number of 106 representatives to the 2008 Bejing Olympic Games. Some of them are planetary sport stars, like high-jumper Blanka Vlašić who up to now has an amazing series of 34 consecutive wins at international competitions. On the photo is a famous "Croatian worm" composed of CRO handball players, winners at the Olympics in Athens and Atlanta.

Croatian Heroes: Pavo Urban defended Dubrovnik with his camera
Pavo Urban was a young photographer. He lost his life in 1991 during Serbian and Montenegrin shelling and bombing of the city of Dubrovnik with his photo camera in hands. His last photos are taken literally a few seconds before his tragic death. His photos reveal subtle spirituality of a young soul. Great talent.

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.

Marin Drzic 1508-1567 a famous Croatian Renaissance playwright

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.

2008 CABA Law Student Essay Competition
The Croatian American Bar Association will be holding a law student essay competition open to all currently enrolled law students worldwide and  must be an original, unpublished work.  There is a cash prize, and winners will be announced in Novermber 2008. The submission deadline is October 31, 2008.
His Excellency Mr. Marko Vuketić was recently appointed as Austrian ambassador in Ukraine. He belongs to Croatian branch in Austria known under the name of Burgendland Croats, or Gradišćanski Hrvati, living there since the 16th century.

Ivo Karlovic beat Roger Federer at Cincinnati Masters 2008
Ivo Karlović, Croatian tennis player known as The King of Aces, beat Roger Federer at Cincinnati Masters 2008, scoring 21 aces. He has the most devastating serve in ATP history. He is the tallest player ever on the ATP Tour at 208 cm (6 ft 10 in). In 2007 he finished the year with 1,318 aces, second all-time behind Goran Ivanišević, who hit 1,477 in 1996.

Matica Iseljenika Newsletter Srpanj 2008
Misija Hrvatske matice iseljenika je ocuvanje i razvitak hrvatskoga kulturnoga identiteta, materinskoga jezika i obicaja Hrvata koji žive izvan maticne zemlje. Uz kulturne i društvene aktivnosti podupiremo projekte iz svih podrucja ljudske djelatnosti od gospodarstva do športa, koji doprinose afirmaciji hrvatskoga imena u svijetu.

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.

Charles Billich's Bing Ma Yong cycle of paintings in China
Inspired by the conviction that the Chinese Olympic Committee should adopt a traditional symbol as the official image of the 2008 Beijing Bid, Billich created the Bing Ma Yong cycle of paintings. Charles Billich is Croatian-Australian painter, born in Croatia, and official painter of the 2008 Olympiad in China.

Richard Horton's lecture in Zagreb
Richard Horton is editor in chief of The Lancet, one of the oldest and most influential medical journals in the world, issued in Great Britain. In May 2008 he delivered a lecture in Zagreb concerning the problems of scientific publishing. He stressed outstanding achievements of the Croatian Medical Journal and scientific legacy of professors Ana and Matko Marušić.

Marijan Busic - a Croatian visionary with The Cravat
  The name of Mr. Marijan Bušić, Zagreb, is with the unbreakable knot connected to one of the most original and the most attractive Croatian products and souvenirs worldwide, the indigenous Croatian invention - to the CRAVAT.

Ilija Veselica's photo view of Croatia

Ilija Veselica, born in the town of Sinj, Coratia, is a student of Computer Science at the University of Split. He offers us his poetic view to various parts of Croatia via his top quality photos.

Damir Bačić: Hrvatski glazbeni identitet - Discover the music of Croatia
Svaka prilika za predstavljanje hrvatske glazbe u svijetu odlična je prigoda i za promidžbu hrvatske kulture, gospodarstva, gastronomije i svih ostalih oblika turističke ponude. Ali i obratno, prepoznatljiva hrvatska glazbena baština uvijek bi trebala biti glazbena podloga predstavljanju bilo kojeg hrvatskog branda.

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.

Nenad N. Bach in Lipik
  Dr. Marica Topić, director of the City Hospital of the town of Lipik, with Nenad N. Bach. We invite you to read about this Croatian town which was totally destroyed in 1991, visited by Nenad in June 2008. Lipik is famous for its Lipizzan horses, a part of which was returned home in 2007.

Cravat is a trademark of Croatia
Croatian soldiers gave the world something that is today unavoidable in fashion: the tie, called la cravate by the French and by the Germans die Krawatte - the expression was coined from the Croatian name, and mentioned for the first time in 1651. The name is in everyday use in many languages throughout the world.

International Conference in honour of Josip Pecaric in Trogir, Croatia
On the left you can see three mathematicians: professor Lars-Erik Persson, Sweden, academician Vladimir D. Stepanov, Russia, and academician Josip Pečarić, Croatia. An exceptionally successful international math conference was orgnaized in June in the town of Trogir, attended by 150 participants. Trogir is a part of World Cultural Heritage, protected by UNESCO.

Croatia - China then and now
On the left you can see a postage stamp issued in Zagreb with Croatian name written in Chinese, designed by Boris Ljubičić. Croatian Tales from Long Ago, written by Ivana Brlić Mažuranić, have been published in China already in 1957. Dragutin Šurbek, a famous Croatian ping-pong player, was very popular in China, nicknamed there as Surbeka.

China Radio International in Croatian language on the WWW
The web site croatian.cri.cn was solemnly opened by China Radio International during a nice ceremony held in Zagreb in July 2nd 2008. It was launched in the presence of Chinese ambassador in Croatia His Excellency Mr. Wu Lianqi and other distinguished guests. It represents the first web site in Croatian language in China.

U potrazi za domoljubljem - Anita Malenica

U Hrvatskoj je potrebno stvoriti prostor za nacionalni ponos - zavapio je kardinal Josip Bozanić. Tom rečenicom pogodio je u srce problema, i to vrlo jasno i precizno. Naši znanstvenici i intelektualni gastarbajteri obogatili su kulture i narode među koje su dolazili. Zašto onda u Hrvatskoj nema tog ponosa u kulturi, književnosti, glazbi, umjetnosti?


Korado Korlevic and Visnjan Astronomical Observatory in Croatia
Korado Korlević is Croatian astronomer of international reputation, infatigable promoter and popularizer of astronomy, especially among the young. He founded the Višnjan Observatory in the town of Višnjan in Istria, where he discovered more than 1,100 asteroids and three comets.

Wimbledon 2008 Intelligent Ancic beats Fernando Verdasco in thriller

The intelligent Croatian, who this time last year was so weak from the after effects of glandular fever that he could barely go for a walk without having to sleep for several hours afterwards, was stoic in his victory. The final set had extended 94 minutes and nerves were clearly at jangling point. However Ancic was sufficiently composed to club his 15th and final ace into quarterfinals.


Stjepan Hauser performed for Prince Charles at St James' Palace in London
Stjepan Hauser, a young and prosperous Croatian violoncellist, performed on 18th June 2008 with the Philharmonia Orchestra on Gala Ceremony at St. James' Palace, a Royal residence in London. The event was attended by Prince Charles. Stjepan recently performed at the Buckingham Palace on 23rd April 2008.