Friday October 18
Citizens for Peraica will be holding a fundraiser and banquet at the WilliamTell Restaurant in Countryside, starting at 7:00 p.m. This is a lastfundraiser for Anthony Peraica before the November 5th elections. Pleasecome out and show your support for one of our own. For more information, orto inquire about being a campaign volunteer or poll watcher can call AnthonyPeraica's campaign office at (708)443-5554 or send email via http://www.peraica.com. 

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF CROATIAN AMERICANS
1329 CONNECTICUT AVENUE, NW WASHINGTON, D.C. 20036
PHONE: (202) 331-2830 NFCAhdq@aol.com FAX: (202) 331-0050

For Immediate Release: October 10, 2002
Media Contact: Joe Foley (tel: 301-294-0937)

(Washington, D.C.). The National Federation of Croatian Americans releasedaletter sent by its President, John Peter Kraljic, to Claude Jorda, thePresident of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY), concerningthe determination of Carla del Ponte, the Chief Prosecutor of the ICTY, not topresent evidence in the Slobodan Milosevic trial concerning his responsibility forthe commission of genocide against the Croats of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Milosevic has been indicted for genocide against both the Croats andBosniak-Muslims of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Chief Prosecutor, however,recently stated that time restraints placed on the length of the trial by theTribunal will force her to only present evidence of genocide committed against the Muslim-Bosniaks.

In his letter, Mr. Kraljic noted that "to allow evidence of genocidecommitted against the Croats of Bosnia and Herzegovina to remain in the archives ofthe ICTY and not to allow it to be presented to the Tribunal and to the world at large inthe name of efficiency and speed will work a great injustice to the thousands of Croatsmercilessly killed during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina."

Mr. Kraljic further wrote that it was inconceivable to attempt to segregatethe Muslim-Bosniak and Croat victims of the same genocidal plan to exterminatenon-Serbs from the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Mr. Kraljic requested that the Tribunal "order the Prosecutor to presenther case of genocide against the Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the pendingtrial of Mr. Milosevic and, if necessary, to grant the Prosecutor additional time toallow her to present her case." Copies of the letter are being circulated to the US StateDepartment and to members of the Foreign Relations Committee of the US Senate and theInternational Relations Committee of the US House of Representatives.

Separately, Mr. Kraljic called on institutions in Croatia and Bosnia andHerzegovina to send their protests concerning the Chief Prosecutor'sdecision to the Hauge. "I am surprised that there has not yet been much public reaction inCroatia to this decision by the Chief Prosecutor. It should be remembered that Milosevicwas not charged with committing genocide in Croatia itself. I fear that there is areal possibility that if genocide charges concerning the Croats of Bosnia and Herzegovina arenot presented now, we may face the possibility that the ICTY will one day closeits doors and will never have had the opportunity to determine whether Croats were victimsof genocide. We owe it to those Croats who were killed and to the properinterpretation of the history of the war in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina to force theICTY to hear the evidence. The NFCA's letter is not enough. We need pressure frompeople, decision makers and institutions in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and elsewhere."

The NFCA is a Washington, D.C.-based national umbrella organization thatrepresents over 20 Croatian American groups and

William Littler

No Canadian opera company has launched its current season more surprisingly than Opera Mississauga, whose production of Ivan pl. Zajc's Nikola Subic Zrinjski at Hammerson Hall of Mississauga's Living Arts Centre reportedly marks the opera's first full-scale North American staging.

And why, you ask, should an opera company in Mississauga be staging a Croatian opera by a composer who died in 1914?

Like a small number of other North American companies, Opera Mississauga has embarked on the mission field, trying to broaden its audience through contact with what used to be called ethnic communities.

General director Dwight Bennett has gone so far as to make the following offer in an open letter: "We will facilitate and produce any opera or concert program for any group that comes forward with the interest, the theme, some funding and an audience."

The idea is not a new one. Over the past few seasons I've travelled to Buffalo to attend Moniuszko's The Haunted Castle in Polish, to Detroit to attend Armen Tigranian's Anoush in Armenian and to other cities to hear operas in Chinese and Spanish. But it is an idea that has yet to be embraced by more than a handful of the continent's larger companies.

It was the Toronto area's Croatian community, mobilized by Edward Mavrinac, that brought forward the Nikola Subic Zrinjski project, which had its opening performance Saturday, which I caught up with Tuesday and which will have its final performances tonight and this coming Saturday.

Although well-known as a national opera in Croatia, Zajc's putative masterpiece hasn't travelled much for reasons that are quite obvious.

Its appeal is primarily domestic, dealing as it does with the courageous defence by Zrinjski and his vastly outnumbered forces of the town of Sigeth against the Turkish armies of Suleyman II in the year 1566.

Indeed, the final scene bristles with patriotism in the Mississauga production as Zrinjski and chorus slowly march toward the front of the stage with swords drawn and the Croatian flag flying, everyone singing music of tremendous nationalist fervour, proclaiming the sweetness of dying for the fatherland.

It isn't, to these non-Croatian ears, especially distinguished music, but its impact is undeniably stirring.

Trained in Milan in the 1850s and a successful operetta composer in Vienna before becoming director and conductor of the first permanent Croatian opera house in Zagreb, Zajc wrote in an accessible, melodious manner, without - in this score at least - achieving much originality or individuality.

In staging the opera, Dora Ruzdjak Podolski did nothing to disguise its old-fashioned look. Soloists stood and delivered and the chorus lined up in almost school-like formation.

Ballet sequences were danced by young students in bare midriffs and diaphanous pantaloons and the scenery turned out to be minimal.

Musically, however, the performance presided over in the pit by Dwight Bennett treated the opera well, the imported Croatian soloists, including Armando Puklavec in the title role, Ivica Saric (indisposed on opening night) as Suleyman and Damir Fatovic as the grand vizier Sokolovic, sounding vigorously committed and the chorus splendidly disciplined.

Small as it was, the audience cheered.

To advertise your meeting, performance, sporting activities, banquets, dances, etc., on the Croatian events calendar, please send all relevant information to Events at events@midwest-croatians.org.Include contact information.

Please select a city to see events being held:Chicago Detroit Indiana Kansas City Milwaukee Ohio St. Louis

Chicago

Saturday October 12
The Croatian Cultural Center of Chicago will be holding its annual banquet. The banquetwill be held at the Croatian Cultural Center, located on 2845 West Devon. Cocktails will start at 6:30 p.m., and dinner will be served at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $30 for an elegant dinner and a spectacular show featuring Danijela Martinovic, one of Croatia's most popular singers. Tickets are $15 for children 7-12 years old, and children 6 and under free.Tickets can be purchased at the door or by calling the Center at (773) 338-3839 or by e-mailing Bruno Rasic at BruRasic@aol.com.

Sunday October 13
The Croatian Society Karlovac will be hosting a picnic from Noon to 7:00 p.m. in Salem, Wisconsin. For your enjoyment there will be roasted lamb & pig, cevapcici,hot dogs, and hamburgers, Karlovacko beer, wine, soda, delicious homemade pastries and coffee.We will have a band for your listening and dancing pleasure. Games and raffle with prizes.For more information please call Frank Radman (847)921-0892 or Helen Drazenovic (773)406-0759.Directions: 94 Tollway North, Hwy. 173 - Turn Left, IL. Route 45 - Turn Right, County Road V (116th St) Turn Left. Go until the end of road. First Exit after Great America.

Sunday October 13
There will be a large Republican rally featuring all local and statewide candidates, beingorganized by Anthony Peraica, Republican Committeeman and candidate for County Commissioner.The rally will take place at the Sabre Room in Hickory Hills starting at 1:00 p.m. For moreinformation, or to inquire about being a campaign volunteer or poll watcher can call Anthony Peraica's campaign office at (708)443-5554 or send email via http://www.peraica.com. Link opens in a new window.

Friday October 18
Citizens for Peraica will be holding a fundraiser and banquet at the William Tell Restaurant in Countryside, starting at 7:00 p.m. This is a last fundraiser for Anthony Peraica before the November 5th elections. Please come out and show your support for one of our own. For more information, or to inquire about being a campaign volunteer or poll watcher can call Anthony Peraica's campaign office at (708)443-5554 or send email via http://www.peraica.com. Link opens in a new window.

Sunday October 20
Hrvatska Zena Branch 1 is sponsoring its annual fashion show at the Royalty West located at 8675 S. Archer Ave. in Willow Springs. Doors open at 12:30 P.M. Tickets are $35 per person. For tickets and information call Kata Mulac (773)955-3965 or Nevenka Jurkovic(773)525-8571.

Sunday October 27
HKD Napredak will be celebrating its 100th anniversary with a luncheon and program sponsoredby HKD Napredak's Chicago branch. The luncheon will be held at St. Jerome Croatian Church, located on 2823 South Princeton. The celebration will begin at 12:30 p.m. Tickets are$20 for adults and $10 for children under 10. For more information, contact Dr. Ante Cuvaloat cuv@netzero.net. For more information on the Chicagobranch of HKD Napredak visit their website http://www.midwest-croatians.org/napredak.

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Saturday October 12
The Milwaukee CFU Tamburitzans will be holding a Sarma/Snicel Dinner, starting at 6:00 PM. In conjunction with the dinner, there will also be a Croatian Costume Fashion Show and tambura music. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for under 12 and include dinner and dessert (cash bar). It will be held at St. Augustine Croatian Church's School Hall at 2025 S. 67th Place in West Allis. For further information, please contact Rudy Pesut at 414-427-0003 or rpesut@wi.rr.com. For more information about the Milwaukee CFU Tamburitzans, please visit their website at http://www.milwaukeecfu.org. Linkopens in a new window.

Saturday September 28
Lakeland Community College Community Education Division will be holding aCroatian Cultural Day on Saturday, September 28, 2002. The program beginsat 10:00 AM and concludes at 2:00 PM.

Discover the customs, history and music from this beautiful land. Your daywill begin with an introduction to Croatia by Bob Jerin, President of theCroatian Heritage Museum and Library. His presentation will be followed bya film showcasing Croatian culture, a bit of history and the country'snatural beauty. Lunch will be a delicious authentic Croatian meal. Yourday will conclude with a tamburitzan folklore troupe, American Zagreb JuniorTamburitzans, performing in native folk dress. They will play the Tamburaand dance to the lively music supplied by lovely stringed instruments.Don't miss this opportunity to experience Croatia.

There is a fee to attend this college event of $25.00. Please contactLakeland Community College to reserve a place. To register by phone usingVISA or MasterCard call 440-953-7116 or toll free 800-589-8520. LakelandCommunity College is located in Kirtland, Ohio 7700 Clocktower Dr, off Route306

From the West: Take Interstate 90 East. Exit State Route 306 (Exit 193Mentor/Kirtland). Turn right (south) onto S.R. 306. Lakeland is 1/8 mile upon the left.

From the East: Take Interstate 90 West. Exit State Route 306 (Exit 193Mentor/Kirtland). Turn left (south) onto S.R. 306. Lakeland is 1/8 mile upon the left.

From the South: Take Interstate 271 North to Interstate 90 East. Exit StateRoute 306 (Exit 193 Mentor/Kirtland). Turn right (south) onto S.R. 306.Lakeland is 1/8 mile up on the left.

For more information call the College at 440-953-7281, or contact Robert Jerinat rjerin@adelphia.net.

Sunday October 6
St. Paul Parish is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a Mass starting at 10:00 a.m., followed by a celebration at the Cardinal Stepinac Croatian National Lodge starting at 2:00 p.m. Tickets can be bought either at the parish of from parish council members for $25. Archbishop Msgr. Ivan Devcic, of the Rijeka-Senj Archdiocese along with Msgr. Milan Simcic will be special guests of honor along with many other guests from Croatia and the Diaspora. For more information, contact Marko Spiranovic at: Spirama@aol.com.

Tuesday October 8
Mr. Don Hudspeth, the President/Dean of the American College, will do a presentation with a question and answer period regarding the opportunities available to Croatian-American young adults to attend college in Dubrovnik. The presentation will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.at the American Croatian Lodge in Eastlake. The American College of Management and Technology (ACMT) is an institution of higher education located in Dubrovnik, Croatia. ACMT was created in 1997 as a collaborative effort between the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) from New York State and Veluciliste u Dubrovniku - The Polytechnic of Dubrovnik. The ACMT diploma is recognized both in Croatia and the United States as the school’s curriculum conforms to the graduation requirements of both countries. The College offers both an AA and a BS degree. The program is in the field of service management (management studies focusing on service-based businesses) with a concentration in Hotel and Resort Management. For additional information, please visit the ACMT web site at: http://www.acmt.hr. Link opens in a new window.

Sunday October 13
The Croatian Youth Club of Cleveland is organizing a concert featuring Danijela Martinovic,one time lead singer of the group Magazin and now one of the most successful and popular singers in Croatia. She will be performing at the Croatian National Lodge "Kardinal A. Stepinac" starting at 6:00 p.m. All are invited: young and old and the whole family!Entrance is $20 for adults, and $10 for children under 12. For more information, contact Marko Jelic at: mtjelic@yahoo.com.

Saturday October 26
A genealogy seminar will be held at the American Croatian Lodge, located on 34900 Lakeshore Blvd, in Eastlake from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The Seminar will include a historical overview of Croatia, how to begin, Croatian given names and English translations, Croatian surnames categories and origins, where to find documentation, some things to be aware of, some cautions, and we will hook up to the internet for examples of how to look. Included is a booklet of "how to", examples of various documents, such as church records, citizenship papers, passports, etc. The seminar will be limited to 30 people. Pre-registration is required!Cost for the seminar is $15. A light lunch will be provided. For registration and further information please contact Robert Jerin at rjerin@adelphia.net.

Sunday October 27
Croatian Prelo will be held at the American Croatian Lodge in Eastlake starting at 6:00 p.m. Foodwill be served and a dance will follow. For more information, contact Suzana Zgela atguzica_suzica@hotmail.com.

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