The Split branch office of the CHF again this year took part in organising the celebration of Statehood Day in neighbouring countries: in Belgrade in collaboration with the Tin Ujević Croatian Community of Belgrade, in Bitola in collaboration with the Marko Marulić Croatian Culture Centre and in Kotor with the Croatian Civic Society of Montenegro.
The Split branch office of the CHF traditionally participates in organising Croatian Statehood Day in neighbouring countries. This year it kicked off in Belgrade in collaboration with the Tin Ujević Croatian Community of Belgrade association lead by president Stipe Ercegović. The Oldest Café in Split, a film by Goran Borčić, an advisor with the Museum of the City of Split, was screened for the occasion at the local Youth Centre. The film was followed by a presentation about Split by writer Ljilja Crnić with the musical entertainment provided by the women’s choir of the Slovenian Society, followed by Nenad Labor with a repertoire of Croatian pop songs.
After Belgrade the festivities continued in Bitola. Statehood Day was celebrated at the Magaza Centre, museum and institute in Bitola in collaboration with the Marko Marulić Croatian Culture Centre and its president Branko Maretić. The event programme was moderated by Neda Maretć, with performances by the Marjanke women’s vocal ensemble of Split. The celebrations were joined by Croatian ambassador to Macedonia Zlatko Kramarić, who also said his goodbyes to the Croatians of Bilota as his term is almost up. The Oldest Café in Split was also shown on this occasion.
The tour closed in Kotor, where the film was shown at the Maritime Museum with co-organiser the Croatian Civic Society of Montenegro. We had an opportunity to meet with the association’s new president Mario Brguljan, a former water polo player and now an internationally recognised referee, who has taken on his new duties with great enthusiasm.
Croatian Statehood Day s an opportunity for the Croatian communities abroad to gather and remember their roots with pride.
Text by: Branka Bezić Filipović
PHOTOS
1- Dario Musić, Tripo Schubert, Branka Bezić Filipović and Mario Brguljan in Kotor
2- Branka Bezić Filipović and Branko Maretić in Bitola
3- Ljiljana Crnić and Nenad Labor in Belgrade
4- Branka Bezić Filipović and Stipe Ercegović in Belgrade