Under the sponsorship of the President of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Marinko Čavara, and organized by the Croatian Heritage Foundation and the Humanitarian Charity Organization “Bread of St. Anthony” Sarajevo, the Cultural and Religious Heritage of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina was held under the motto of Vratimo nadu zavičaju (Let’s Return Hope to Homeland).
Under the sponsorship of the President of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Marinko Čavara, and organized by the Croatian Heritage Foundation and the Humanitarian Charity Organization “Bread of St. Anthony” Sarajevo, the Cultural and Religious Heritage of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina was held under the motto of Vratimo nadu zavičaju (Let’s Return Hope to Homeland). During three days, from June 17 to 19, , the event justified its name — faith and hope of returning to the homeland — with working meetings and events and a solemn program in the Multimedia Hall of the Franciscan International Student Center. The program was preceded by the Evening of the Croatian Heritage Foundation which discussed future cooperation and projects to be implemented in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The second day of the event began with a reception by Fr. Zdravko Dadić, Provincial of Bosnia Srebrena. The reception was attended by Fr. Vinko Sičaja, Definitor and Economist, Fr. Miro Relota, Definitor, Fr. Petar Karajica, the Director of the Central Office of the Humanitarian Charity Organization “Bread of St. Anthony”, Fr. Stipo Karajica, Monastery and Parish Vicar of the Monastery of St. Ilija in Zagreb and the initiator of the event Let’s Return Hope to Homeland and the delegation of the Croatian Heritage Foundation and the Croatian Postal Bank from Zagreb, led by the CHF director, Mija Marić.
It is a great honor and responsibility for us that the Croatian Heritage Foundation has decided to organize such a valuable project in Sarajevo, because Croats living in this area have high hopes for a better and happier tomorrow – said Provincial Dadić at the reception.
After the reception, Holy Mass was served in the prayer area of St. Nikola Tavelić, led by Fr. Zdravko Dadić, Provincial of Bosna Srebrena together with other priests, participants of the event, and guests. Before the Mass, there was also a parade of participants in the program of the event.
Guardians of the cultural and religious heritage of Croats in central Bosnia and Sarajevo performed in the Multimedia Hall of the Franciscan International Student Center in Sarajevo: Croatian Cultural Society “Napredak”, Kreševo, Cultural and Educational Society “Matija Gubec Bakovići”, Fojnica, Folk Ensemble “Sloga”, Guča Gora, Croatian Folk Ensemble “Ognjišta”, Lug-Brankovići, IFD Potkraj Parish, Turbe, Tamburaši from Vareš, Kreševo and Fojnica and theologians of Franciscan Theology in Sarajevo.
In the welcoming speeches of the patrons and organizers, it was pointed out that the event is traditionally organized with the aim of connecting Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina with the homeland of the Republic of Croatia and beyond with the desire to restore hope for the future of the homeland.
Getting to know the common tradition, culture and costumes, improving the cultural, educational, economic, social and other life occupations of displaced Bosnian Croats, as well as providing support to Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially in strengthening and preserving national, religious and cultural identity, are the goals of these valuable events. The program has so far been held in Zagreb, Jajce and Livno and the Croatian Heritage Foundation is a valuable bridge of this cooperation – said the CHF director Mijo Marić, who opened the exhibition of the academic painter Fr. Perica Petar Vidić after the program.
The exhibition is of a humanitarian and charity character of a long-term benefactor for poor and gifted students, and is part of the program of the event LET’S RETURN HOPE TO HOMELAND.
The organizers of the event, the Croatian Heritage Foundation and the Humanitarian and Organization “Bread of St. Anthony” and friends of the project from the Croatian Postal Bank visited Plehan and the shrine in restoration, where they met with Fr. Ante Thomas, abbot and parish priest, Fr. Jozo Gogić, abbey and parish vicar and Fr. Ivan Ćurić, parish vicar. The Holy Mass for the worshippers from the parish and guests from Zagreb with the abbot was led by Fr. Stipe Karajica, the initiator of the event Let’s Return Hope to Homeland.
Hope for the homeland and faith in a better future is extremely important for the survival of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Such projects are a light at the end of a tunnel and a clear message that they have not been forgotten – said the Sarajevo host of the event, Fr. Pero Karajica, and it seems that this is a clear message to all of us.
Text: Ivana Rora
Photo: Arhiv HKO Kruh Svetog Ante Sarajevo
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