Weekly Bulletin from Croatian Embassy in Washington DC

RepublicofCroatia_WeeklyBulletin-Vol.2,Issue45.pdf
 

Historic hat-trick the stuff of legends

Hands up if you backed the winner: jockey Glenn Boss salutes the jubilant crowd as Makybe Diva returns to the Melbourne Cup winners' enclosure for the third straight year. Picture: Paul Trezise
 

Ron Reed
02nov05

DIVA fever started early at Flemington yesterday – and will be a long time finishing.
Melbourne Cup Picture Galleries:

Trainer Lee Freedman summed it up perfectly as he emerged from the bar in which he had watched his amazing mare Makybe Diva win her third Melbourne Cup, a feat never achieved in the 144 years that Australia's most famous race has been generating folklore and legends. "Go and find the smallest child on this course and you'll have the only person who'll live long enough to see this again," he said, fighting to control his emotions.

A few days earlier, he had expressed the same sentiment slightly differently: "If the fairytale comes true and she runs and wins, we'll never see the like again." Well, it did come true – and he's right. We won't.

We certainly won't see Makybe Diva again, with Freedman and owner Tony Santic deciding before the trophy
presentation that the horse had done more than enough and would not be asked to race again.

The day will never be forgotten by the 106,479 who packed the nation's premier racecourse to witness an animal achieving the sort of immortality few humans manage.

For them and for the millions more who were transfixed by TV sets, it was as if they had been transported by time machine back to 1930 when the incomparable Phar Lap won the Cup on the way to dominating the Spring Racing Carnival like no other horse has done, including mighty Makybe.

Since the Diva won last month's Cox Plate, the race the purists rank above the Cup as a true test of a racehorse's greatness, arguments have raged non-stop about whether she is entitled to stand alongside Big Red as the best we've seen.

Freedman has been among those who regard such a debate as essentially futile because so much has changed, but even he said yesterday: "I don't want to put down Phar Lap, but I haven't seen him win three Melbourne Cups." Indeed, Phar Lap won only one – and only four others managed two.That daunting spot of history combined with various other reasons to convince many that the task would be beyond Makybe Diva, although the skeptics were like everyone else – they dearly wanted to see her win, and were willing her to do so.

That's why she was always the hot favourite, even when Freedman and Santic were threatening not to run her if they felt the task and the track would be too hard.

Even long before the race she was the centre of amazing scenes – at first, without even being there.

More than three hours before the race, a Freedman stable strapper led a horse into the holding stall No 75, with her name over the door. Instantly, almost 200 people materialised and, standing eight deep, began snapping away with cameras and mobile phones.

The startled strapper suddenly realised what was happening and told them they had the wrong horse and Makybe hadn't arrived yet. It made little difference. They kept taking photographs of each other standing in front of the empty box.

And when the Diva did turn up, accompanied by three security guards, it was elbow room only in the sweaty heat for well over two hours until Freedman arrived to dress her for her big date.

The race itself was almost an anti-climax in the competitive sense, so early did jockey Glen Boss have the horse in a perfect position and so authoritatively did she complete the job.

It was the easiest of her three wins and the fast-talking Sydney hoop, who has partnered her in them all, said: "I have never enjoyed a race so much."

That probably applied to the entire awestruck crowd, who stood to salute as the Diva passed the post and stayed on their feet until the ceremonial aftermath was complete.

If there has been a more uplifting "great moment in sport" in recent Australian memory, then it can only have been at precisely the same place and time three years ago when Damien Oliver won on Media Puzzle, saluting his dead brother as he did so.

Freedman mused that perhaps the monumental Olympic performances of swimmer Kieren Perkins and runner Cathy Freeman might be up there, and suggested his own sporting hero, boxer Muhammad Ali, could enter into such a debate.

"But they weren't asked to carry 58kg of dead weight," he noted dryly.

Of one thing, though, he was certain – after the Cox Plate, Makybe Diva was the best horse he'd trained and now she was the best he'd seen.

If there was a soul on the racecourse prepared to disagree with that, he or she went unheard above the applause for a horse who will be talked about reverently for another 75 years – at least.


http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,17109703%5E2862,00.html
 

Croatian Critical Mass in New York and Elsewhere

The block is lifted from the bottom of the sea.

Moment to create a blueprint for the Croatian Community

Jana, Vegeta, Kras, Klapa.

Year and a half ago, I organized a meeting of doers in Croatian Community of New York with an intention to create a blueprint of what the community could and should be. To be more organized, coordinated and more efficient. That subject included: welcome to Croatians who come to New York for the first time, to funeral procedures when someone dies in New York and the family needs to arrange transport to Our Beautiful, during the emotional stress. Data base. From mostly culture to the business and food and etc. That was year and a half ago. Critical Mass didn't happen at that time and moment, but it is happening right now.

I will probably miss a lot, but as well list a lot of great things that are happening right now. Few days ago, we had a sale out of the Movie Theater for the film 'Ta Divna Splitska Noc'. Half of the audience, didn't get an opportunity to see the film, shocked that the tickets have been sold. Thanks to a good organization of Doors-Art Foundation, but as well our Critical Mass.Film Festival is continuing every first Thursday of the month.We have a successful now to be biweekly newspaper Croatian Chronicle with a reputable and a consistent edition. We have Mario Gallery that will co-host Queens Film Festival. We have Croatian American Academy celebrating 53rd year. We have regular Golf Outings that are beneficial for the whole community ( a great example of how to organize something that will be beneficial for Croatia as well as our new homeland - America). From janjetina to golf. One doesn't exclude the other, but that is a quantum leap. Three Radio programs in New York, some 30 years and counting. We have a first serious attempt to put Klapa singing on a world stage. Besides 200 NPR radio stations, Klapa Sinj and myself will perform at the America's best venues. We have Jana Water  that came to America in a big style. I heard that Target took Jana's products for the next year. We have NBC who just came back from Croatia, showing THE New Riviera to 300 million Americans. I was at ABC recently as a guest and they showed a great deal of interest in Croatia. New York Book Club in progress. Cultural Thursday at the Croatian Center. We have two priests, who are willing. We have a Critical Mass. The block is lifted from the bottom of the sea. Let's not let it go back. We need to lift it to the surface and then land it. For those who sit on the block, better move your ass, help lifting or just step aside. Do not drive 30 miles per hour on a highway if you are first in a row or on the top of the pyramid. Where are direct flights from The USA to Croatia. Why is this not happening? Who is responsible for that? Now that we are officially THE world tourist destination what is there to wait for? Coordinate your events and help each other. Maybe now is the moment to create a blueprint for the Croatian Community.

Svako dobro,

Nenad Bach

On a world stage we have an enormous talent (from amazing Ivan Ljubicic, now in Shanghai, that came to 4 finals and captured two. Now 8th in the world, Sanya Matejas on CBS on Monday. Davis Cup finals, in three weeks, Mario Preskar boxing his way to the top...hey, we need help, just to list all the success.) We also see Los Angeles community with Udruga being reborn. London (England) community on a steady path, Chicago's potential to be seen. (success of  Ivica Grgic's website), San Francisco - San Jose community doing very well. Switzerland community working steady like a Swiss watch....we need to help few long standing Croatian Brands to succeed in the world, to become world brands. Jana, Vegeta, Kras, Klapa.

Add your own thought. Napisite sto vi mislite:letters@croatianworld.net
 

CROATIAN BOOK CLUB OF NEW YORK

Our next monthly selection will be “Infidelities: Stories of War and Lust” by Josip Novakovich. All ten of his books are available at www.amazon.com . Mr. Novakovich has generously donated several of his books to read and circulate.

Meeting place: Croatian Cultural Center
Address: 502 West 41st Street, New York, NY (between 10th & 11th Avenues)
Dates: Every Third Wednesday in the month, November 16th, 2005 at 6 p.m.
Next book selection: “Infidelities: Stories of War and Lust” by Josip Novakovich

Please read the book in advance.

A Croatian Book Club is meeting in New York City to promote Croatian culture. Our club offers readers the opportunity to participate in spirited discussions considering diverse viewpoints about unique subject material.
Each month, the facilitator will choose a “book of the month” that will be read by members in advance and discussed later at the monthly meeting. The monthly meeting will last from approximately 1-3 hours, depending on the vitality of the discussion, size of the group and availability of space.

Below is a partial list of books that will be discussed:

* “The Stone Fields” by Courtney Angela Brkic

* “Infidelities – stories of War and Lust” by Josip Novakovic

* “How We Survived Communism and Even Laughed” by Slavenka Drakulic

* “Neither Red nor Dead” by Stevo Julius

* “The Museum of Unconditional Surrender” by Dubravka Ugresic

* “The Banquet in Blitva” by Miroslav Krleza

* “The Turk and My Mother” by Mary Helen Stefaniak

* “Sarajevo Marlboro” by Miljenko Jergovic

* “Croatian Tales of Long Ago” by Ivana Brlic Mazuranic

* “Anna Marinkovich” by Edward Ifkovic

* “Carrying the Farm on Her Back – A portrait of Women in a Croatian Village” by Eva Skold Westerlind

* “Healing the Heart of Croatia” by Joseph Kerrigan

* “Goodby Dear Old Homeland” by Yasna Sikic Hood

* “American Dream - a Guy from Croatia” by Boris Miksic

* “Thorn Lace – Mojmir – A Migrant’s Lot” by Ina Vukic

* “Moments of Truth: Real Stories of Life Changing Inspiration” Mike Celizic

* “The Labyrinth” by Blanka Raguz www.blankaraguz.com

* “You’re Hired: How to Succeed in Business and Life from the Winner of the Apprentice” by Bill Rancic

* “Lovers and Madmen – a True Story of Passion, Politics and Air Piracy” by Julienne Eden Busic

* “Fix Our United States” by Krist (Chris) Novoselic www.dwstudios.net

* “Necessary Targets: A Story of Women and War” by Eve Ensler

* www.admit2.net Natalija Grgorinic & Ognjen Raden

* “The Bridge on the Drina” by Ivo Andric

* “Don’t Call Me Rosie” by Kathleen Thomas www.thomaswright.com

* Louis Adamic www.synapse.ne.jp/saitani/ or www.alibris.com

* “A Single Step” by Heather Mills McCartney (chapters on Croatia)

* “Can You Hear Me Screaming?” by Eric Obenauf www.twodollarradio.com or www.CroatiaGifts.com

* “First Service” by Andrea Jaeger (Maja Muric) www.firstservicebook.com

* “Celestial Dancer” by Anthony Shafer alias Peter Celich

* “Letters to My Daughters” by Mary Matalin (Tomasevich)

* “The Passion to Skate: An Intimate View of Figure Skating” by Sandra Bezic

* “Pixletown: The World Found” by Marija Miletic Dail

* Bogdan Radica – out of print

Most of the above books are available free of charge at the Public Library or may be purchased at www.amazon.com .

Book Club discussion questions and topics:

· What specific themes did the author emphasize throughout the book? What do you think he or she is trying to convey to the reader?

· Do the characters seem real and believable? Can you relate to their predicaments? To what extent do they remind you of yourself or someone you know?

· What was unique about the setting of the book and how did it enhance or take away from the story?

· How do characters change or evolve throughout the course of the story? What events trigger such changes?

· In what ways do the events in the books reveal evidence of the author’s world view?

· Did certain parts of the book make you uncomfortable? If so, why did you feel that way? Did this lead to a new understanding or awareness of some aspect of your life you might not have thought about before?

· What did you find surprising about the facts introduced in this book?

· How has reading this book changed your opinion of a certain person or topic?

· Does the author present information in a way that is interesting and insightful, and if so, how does she or he achieve this?

· If the author is writing on a controversial issue, does he or she give proper consideration to all sides of the debate? Does he or she seem to have a bias?

· How has the book increased your interest in the subject matter?


Facilitator:
Katarina Tepesh is a member of the International Women’s Writing Guild. Her essays, “Father’s Funeral” and “Babin Kuk” were published in Caprice and Quiet Mountain Essays.

“Yearning for Freedom in a Land of the Free” and “Red Tent” at Free River Press. Short story, “Anica, a Mail Order Bride from Croatia” has been published on the CROWN www.CroatianWorld.net . Katarina is also a member of the Storytellers - International Toastmasters Club, promoting writing, public speaking and leadership skills. Katarina comes from Zagorje region and now lives in New York City.

If you are interested in joining The Croatian Book Club (CBC) of New York, please contact Katarina by email tepeshk@aol.com or telephone 212-744-1985.
 

See Makybe Diva’s Croatian colours – even incorporated into our GOOGLE ICON in Australia anyways.
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,17109703%5E2862,00.html

Regards,
Jean
 

Klapa Sinj and Nenad Bach, in concert

Where: New York City, Society for Ethical Culture 2 West 64th Street

When: December 2nd 2005

Purchase tickets: click here  Reserve your tickets in advance. Very possible sold out.

Chicago and Washington DC concerts are free of charge.

Op-ed

Last Croatian event was sold out. Half of the people stayed outside asking for extra tickets. Reserve your tickets in advance, rather then wait outside for a chance to get in.

NB

CFU TAMBURITZA FESTIVAL IN NEW JERSEY

By Katarina Tepesh

New York, November 6, 2005 – The Croatian Fraternal Union CFU www.croatianfraternalunion.org organized XIX TamFest 2005 in East Rutherford, New Jersey over the weekend of November 4 – 6, featuring 26 tamburitza groups from across the United States and Canada.

Speaking from the podium at the Sheraton Hotel, Meadowlands Center, CFU National President Bernard M. Luketich said, “Just a short drive from this very spot is one of the most revered national landmarks respected by all Americans as the port of entry for millions of immigrants to American soil. Thousands of Croatian immigrants arrived in America through Ellis Island at the turn of the century, ready to embark upon a new adventure and to seek new opportunities. For many, this entry through Ellis Island represented a promise for the future and gave them hope for a better life in this great new land.

Celebrating our Croatian musical heritage and, in our own way, celebrating the arrival of immigrants, we join together for the weekend of tamburitza music and kolo dance.”

It was fun listening to tamburica music, Croatian language, and seeing some of the colorful customs and traditions on and off the stage.

Adding to the friendly atmosphere was Pam Lacko Kelley and Melissa Pintar Obenauf selling “Heart of Croatia Gifts” www.croatiagifts.com or toll free 1-877-906-8314. They are also co-founders and co-directors of Zivili Dance Company. Traveling all the way from Granville, Ohio, Pam and Melissa sell high quality gifts that represent Croatian culture and traditions at its best.

Anna Stajrer from Stoney Creek, Canada was also there selling a wide variety of our beloved Croatian music springtravel@on.aibn.com . Baby clothes, jewelry, t-shirts and different shapes of glassware, as well as numerous items in Croatian colors were available.

Performing were the following 26 talented groups:

Ansambl Sveti Nikola from Ambridge, Pennsylvania with director Frank Bedekovich and 23 musicians;

Zelena Polja from Cleveland, Ohio with musical directors Dan Coleff and Bob Kushner, choreographer Deborah Jennings along with 17 tamburasi; Hrvatsko Srce from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada with musical directors Danny Boich and Joey Vlasic along with 33 tamburasi; Croatian Roots from St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada with choreographer Marica Macan and 14 tamburasi;

St. George Ensemble from Cokeburg, Pennsylvania with directors Marlene Luketich-Kochis, Dan Kochis and Bernadette Luketich-Sikaras along with 26 tamburasi; Ziva Grana Hrvatske from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada with director Michael Loncarich and 21 tamburasi; American-Croatian Waukegan from Waukegan, Illinois with director Julie Hughes and 15 tamburasi;  Penn Sembles from Versailles, Pennsylvania with director Donald Knezovich along with 30 tamburasi; Cro Arte Chorale from Toronto, Ontario, Canada with director Betty Kovacs and 30 tamburasi; Croatian Folklore Ensemble “Nova Nada” from Ferndale, Michigan with artistic director Steve Talan and 20 tamburasi; Lado from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada with music director Joe Loncarich and 13 tamburasi; Selo from Columbus, Ohio with administrative director Lillian Badurina, choreographers Tina Gehres and Jim Svagerko, costume design/music director/choral advisor Tina Gehres, Lynda Baker, Susie Petrak along with 24 dancers, singers and musicians; Kumovi from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with director Zeljko Jergan and 34 tamburasi; Zumbercani from Cleveland, Ohio with director Marsha Coleff and 19 tamburasi;
Croatian Cultural Ensemble Kordun from Cleveland, Ohio with director Kate Stepic and 23 tamburasi;
Keystone Adult Tamburitzans from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with director Gemma Filip and 14 tamburasi;
Veseljaci from Farrell, Pennsylvania with director Rose and Fred Husnick along with 24 tamburasi;
Veseli Hrvati Sr. Tamburitzans from Welland, Ontario, Canada with music director Randy Zdelar and assistant Randy Benko along with 13 tamburasi; Tamburaski Zbor Svete Marije from Rankin, Pennsylvania with director Kara Turkovich along with 24 tamburasi; Sveti Juraj from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada with director Robert Pericak, choreographer Blazenka Bujan with 17 tamburasi; Kraljica Jelena from Kitchener, Ontario, Canada with music director Mark Spisic and artistic director Zeljko Jergan along with 34 tamburasi;
Zlatni Pajdasi from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada with musical director Michael Savor along with 12 tamburasi;
St. Lawrence from Steelton, Pennsylvania with director Ivan Hrabric along with 26 tamburasi;
Jabuka from New York City with 12 tamburasi; Hrvatska Bura from Milwaukee, Wisconsin with 14 tamburasi;
Gemist from New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania with 23 tamburasi;

Sunday morning mass was celebrated by Rev. Ivica Majstorovic, Pastor from St. Cyril & Methodius Croatian Church from New York. Petar Ljubicic, Consul General from New York, representing the Republic of Croatia, offered greetings to the large crowd.

The attractive CFU program book design was done by a team of illustrators, including famous Ivan Lackovic Croata. In November of 1998 was the first time that CFU Adult Tamburitza Federation Festival took place at the same Sheraton hotel. We are looking forward to their next visit.
 

Mladi hrvatski umjetnici u P.S.1.

NEW YORK CITY - Otvorivši svoj jesenji postav, sa desetak novih izložbi, Centar Suvreme Umjetnosti - P.S.1. je 30. listopada bio prava meka umjetnika i ljubitelja umjetnosti. Tijekom čitavog dana preko tisuću posjetitelja hodočastilo je sve atraktivnijim prostorima P.S.1. Za nas je posebno značajno predstavljanje trojice mladih hrvatskih umjetnika, u sklopu programa pod nazivom International Projects: Alana Floričića, Kristiana Kožula i Tomislava Buntaka.

International  Projects osmišljen je kao koncept promoviranja raznovrsnih suvremenih umjetničkih praksi inozemnih umjetnika i zemalja omogućavanjem razrade, realizacije i postave privremenih projekata u prostorima P.S.1.

Kuratorica izložbe je direktorica P.S.1. Alanna Heiss, odgovorna i za konačni izbor umjetnika. Širu selekciju od ukupno 8 umjetnika predložio je Branko Franceschi, sadašnji ravnatelj Riječkog Muzeja Moderne i Suvremene Umjetnosti, koji je već višegodišnju suradnju sa P.S.1. započeo kao ravnatelj zagrebačke galerije Miroslav Kraljević.

Alen Floričić, Labinski umjetnik rođen 1968., predstavljen je sa više video instalacija kojima istražuje ljudsko tijelo u različitim ambijentima, kroz ritmizirano ponavljanje pokreta u ubrzanim sekvencijama koje postaju ponavljajuće tkivo video zapisa.

Floričićeve video instalacije sa svojom neposrednošću i donekle crnim humorom, pored četvorokanalne postave u galerijskoj sobi, zatiču promatrača na raznim, manje uobičajenim prostorima kao što su hodnici i kupatila. S njujorškim predstavljanjem, nakon ljetošnjeg izlaganja na Venecijanskom Bienalu u sklopu hrvatske nacionalne selekcije, Floričić je zaokružio ovogodišnju vrlo uspješnu godinu.

Kristian Kožul, rođen 1975. u Minhenu, predstavlja se skulpturama iz bizarne “Discoware” kolekcije nastale 2002./2003. g. Kožul skupinu “nepoželjnih” predmeta: invalidskih kolica, štake i noćne posude, transformira u raskošne primamljive objekte, obtočene mozaikom od ogledalaca, srebrnih šljokica i bijelog paperja. Time postaju dekadentni fetiš objekti izazivajući kod promarača oprečne emocije privlačenja i odbijanja te dublja propitivanja suštine istih.

Tomislav Buntak, zagrebački umjetnik rođen 1971, predstavlja se site specific izvedbom rafiniranog srebrno-zlatnog crteža u kafeteriji P.S.1.  Crtež iz ciklusa  “Konačna pobjeda nebeske vojske” u potpunosti ispunjava zidove i strop kafeterije. Buntakovi crteži su reminiscencija kršćanskih i mitoloških prizora izvedenih u maniri klasičnih pejzaža na stilizirani i jedinstven način.

Selekcijom trojice mladih hrvatskih umjetnika za International Project, Hrvatska se predstavlja kao zemlja raznovrsne, provokativne no promišljene suvremene umjetničke prakse što je ravnopravno uključuje u jedinstveni njujorški umjetnički melting pot.

Radovi hrvatskih umjetnika mogu se pogledati do konca siječnja 2006. u P.S.1. na adresi 22-25 Jackson Ave. LIC, New York  (Tel: 718 784-2084).

Denis Licul

Expanding the Diplomatic Network

New Croatian Consulate for Kansas and Missouri officially dedicated

The Croatian American communities in Kansas and Missouri are to finally receive some representation closer to home in the form of a new consulate in Kansas City which was officially dedicated on October 1st by the Croatian ambassador to the United States, Neven Jurica. Ambassador Jurica was joined by Consul General Petar Ljubicic of New York, Consul General Marica Matkovic of Chicago and Consul General Sanja Bujas Juraga of Los Angeles. Local dignitaries as well as members of the Croatian-American communities of both Kansas City, Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri were also in attendance.

During the dedication ceremony, Ambassador Jurica announced the appointment of Dr. Judith (née Perica) Vogelsang as honorary consul. Dr. Vogelsang, a physician, is well known in the Croatian community for her role in coordinating food and medical relief shipped during the Balkan conflict in the 1990s as well as promoting Croatian culture and interests in Kansas and Missouri. She is currently serving as a medical consultant in Kansas City, Missouri and was formally on the staff at Research Medical Center for a number of years. She serves as the current commissioner for Croatia on the Mayor's Ethnic Enrichment Commission in Kansas City, Missouri, in addition to being a board member of the National Federation of Croatian Americans and an active member in the Croatian Fraternal Union (CFU).

While honorary consuls are not full-time diplomats and are generally nationals of the host country, they are often appointed by governments to represent their interests in smaller cities, or in cities that are not near to full-time diplomatic missions. The appointment of an individual with close ties to and knowledge of the substantial local Croatian communities in Kansas and Missouri as honorary consul indicates a thoughtful selection process by Croatian authorities.

The Kansas City Area is home to a large Croatian American population. Most of the earliest immigrants came to the area in the early 1900s, with several more large groups following through the next 50 years. As in other major cities throughout the U.S., they contributed to the building of the Greater Kansas City area in many ways. There are currently close to 40,000 first, second, and third-generation Croatian Americans living in the area and the consulate will hopefully serve as a bridge to promote business, cultural and educational exchanges between Croatia and the United States for many years to come.

The two-day dedication ceremony, which began on September 30, included a luncheon, tribute, and tour of the Truman Presidential Library in Independence, Missouri. As a tribute to the legacy of Harry Truman, Ambassador Jurica placed a wreath at the memorial site and spoke of Truman’s role in furthering the cause of democracy, freedom and human rights around the world. He also spoke of Croatia’s current primary goals of membership in the European Union and NATO.

At the luncheon, the ambassador was presented with keys to the city of Independence, Mo. by Mayor Ron Stewart, a proclamation from Mayor Stan Salva of Sugar Creek, Missouri, a proclamation from the Missouri House of Representatives, Ray Salva and a key to the City of Kansas City, Missouri by Councilman Chuck Eddie. Also in attendance were Missouri State Senator, Dr. Charles Wheeler, US Senator James Talent as well as Congressman Emmanuel Cleaver. General Robert Arter, accompanied by his wife Lois, and Col. John Towers were guests from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Members of the Greater Kansas City Consular Corps, Chamber of Commerce and International Relations Council were also in attendance.

A reception in honor of Ambassador Jurica was held in the evening in Kansas City, Kansas at the Strawberry Hill Museum. Marijana Grisnik, a Croatian American Naive artist, prepared a special exhibit of her paintings for the ambassador and the many guests while Don Lipovac entertained with his music.

On October 1st, a Croatian mass was celebrated at St. John the Baptist Church by Father Francis Horvat, with music provided by the St. Cecilia's Choir under the direction of David Sachen, and the Harvest String Quartet. A dinner followed at the Hilton Reardon Center with the Sugar Creek Tamburitza Orchestra providing dinner music for 400 guests.

Mary Jean Podrebarac led the national anthems and Robert Soptic served as Master of Ceremonies. The Honorable Dennis Moore, Congressman for Kansas, and a founding member of the Croatian Congressional Caucus, greeted the ambassador and guests. Mayor Joseph Reardon presented the ambassador with a key to the city as well as a proclamation designating October 1st as a special day for the Kansas City, Croatian American community. Marijana Grisnik presented the ambassador with one of her paintings of Strawberry Hill. Loren Taylor, president of the Wyandotte County Historical Society, presented Ambassador Jurica with his book, The History of Wyandotte County.

The Croatian Consulate for Kansas and Missouri is located at 1201 W. 64th Terr., Kansas City, Missouri; tel.: (913) 371 2525, (GSM) (816) 729 3797.

Congressman Dennis Moore (Kansas) Ambassador Neven Jurica,
Dr. Judy Vogelsang (Hilton Reardon Center)

ZADAR'S ECCLESIASTICAL ISOLATION
FROM THE CHURCH IN CROATIA MUST END

The Catholic Church in Zadar is still outside of the Croatian ecclesiastical framework. Since the way has been cleared for Croatia’s entry into the EU, a discussion has taken place in Split about the “irregular situation of the Zadar Archdiocese” on the occasion of the 31st Plenary Session of the Croatian Bishops Conference.

In an appeal to Pope Benedict XVI, Mons. Ivan Prenda, Zadar’s Archbishop, stressed that progress towards the spiritual wellbeing of Croatian people in Zadar is directly linked to the reintegration of their church into Croatian society and ecclesiastical territory. Also, Mons. Prenda noted that pressures from outside Croatia are intensifying regarding Zadar, as full EU membership approaches, and that full integration within the Croatian Church’s framework would eliminate such dangers.

Mons. Prenda stated that the justification for the establishment of a new ecclesiastical territory in Zadar, is as strong as the support for a new see in Dakovo. In an interview published by Glas koncila (Glas Koncila, broj 44, 30 Oct 2005) Mons. Prenda correctly referred to the Croatian peoples’ spiritual, historical, cultural, and geographical right to be integrated within one ecclesiastical framework:


“U prilog tome govore crkveni razlozi, pastoralni razlozi, povijesno-kulturalni i geografski razlozi te potreba crkvene integracije u okvirima nove hrvatske drzave. Mi smo jedan narod i jedna Crkva te sve govori da se i na crkvenom polju treba dovrsiti integracija. … Ovakav status Zadarske nadbiskupije zbog mnogih razloga trazi svoje pravo rjesenje.”

In the modern era, within the context of human rights, the ecclesiastical integration of Zadar with the rest of Croatia is long overdue. Mons. Prenda has given new hope to Croatian people through his discussions.

The ‘dangers’ spoken of above include the belief of some in Italy that Zadar should be reoccupied--but Zadar’s history, like Britain’s, pre-dates Roman occupation. Would it be reasonable for Italians to now re-occupy the military zone of  Hadrian’s Wall in Britain, with a cohort of ‘Dalmatians’ or others from the Roman empire as in the 2nd century AD? The same standards should apply in Croatia, as in the rest of the EU. In addition, anti-clericalism in Zadar is the direct result of occupation by Venetians, by Italian administrators under the Hapsburgs, by Italian occupation after Versailles, and by Mussolini’s fascists. The legacy of those occupations is that the Catholic Church in Zadar has been isolated from the rest of the church in Croatia since 1917, under the direct administration of the Holy See.

In conclusion, the rights of Croatian people must be honoured. Croatian people have a right to expect the ecclesiastical unity of the Catholic Church in Croatia, and they have a right to experience spiritual advancement together as a nation. Therefore, the ecclesiastical unity of the Catholic Church in Croatia is one of many issues that must be resolved before Croatia enters the European Union.

Jean Lunt Marinovic

October 2005
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