CHF Director pays his first official visit to Subotica and the Croatian National Council in the Republic of Serbia
On May 18 and 19, the Director of the Croatian Heritage Foundation, Zdeslav Milas, M.Sc., paid his first official visit to Subotica and the Croatian National Council (HNV) in the Republic of Serbia, where he met with President Jasna Vojnić and representatives of the Croatian community. In addition to Director Milas, the CHF delegation included Lada Kanajet Šimić, Head of the Education and Science Department, and Vesna Kukavica, Head of the Publishing Department. The meeting held at the Croatian Home – Matica took place in an atmosphere of constructive dialogue, mutual understanding, and a clear, shared message, with programs aimed at preserving the identity, language, culture, and rights of the Croatian national minority in the Republic of Serbia as a permanent mutual task. During the meeting, they discussed strengthening cooperation between the CHF and the HNV, especially in the field of culture and education and other programs aimed at youth creativity, with the expansion of book activities. On this occasion, the delegation led by Director Milas once again confirmed its strong support for the Croatian community in the Republic of Serbia and the HNV, announcing the intensification of ties through mutual cultural projects and educational programs, as well as organizing artistic and scientific activities as part of state events. The Croatian community in Serbia is an important part of the Croatian national identity.
As part of the official visit, Director Milas and his associates attended the opening of the exhibition of works created during the XIII edition of the “Stipan Šabić 2025” International Art Colony at the gallery of the Open University, organized by HLU “CroArt”. The exhibition brings together artists from several European countries, underscoring the importance of cross-border art colonies in fostering intercultural relations within the multicultural space of Vojvodina and its surroundings. The exhibition was opened by Nela Horvat, while art historian Branimir Kopilović spoke about the works. The opening was also attended by the President of the Executive Board of the HNV Marinko Katić and the President of the Culture Committee Denis Lipozenčić.
After the opening of the exhibition, the CHF’s delegation visited the “Bunjevačko kolo” Croatian Cultural Center, one of our most important organizations, which has been nurturing Croatian heritage through folklore dance customs, music and youth work for decades. In addition to talks with President Lazar Cvijin, the delegation attended the rehearsal of the oldest youth folklore group.
On the second day of the official visit to the Croatian community in the Republic of Serbia, the Head of the CHF’s Education and Science Department, Lada Kanajet Šimić, met with the team of Nataša Francuz, member of the HNV’s Executive Board in charge of education. They discussed Croatian language teaching in Serbia, its development over the last 25 years, and possibilities for further improvement. Numerous examples of good practice and activities that contribute to the preservation of the Croatian language, culture and identity among young people were presented. The Croatian Heritage Foundation and the Croatian National Council are continuing to further their cooperation with the aim of additional support for students, teachers and education programs in the Croatian language.
This was followed by a visit by the CHF delegation to the Institute for the Culture of Vojvodina Croats, where Director Zdeslav Milas was received by the acting director Josip Bako with associates, who presented the extensive activities of the first professional cultural institution of Croats in Serbia – in operation for over 18 years. The Institute for Culture of Vojvodina Croats has established itself as a fruitful meeting place for creative individuals and enthusiasts of various contemporary cultural practices, whose threefold goal is to preserve, develop and promote Croatian cultural heritage and all artistic creativity in the Croatian language in the multicultural environment of Vojvodina and the Republic of Serbia.
Text: Vesna Kukavica; Photo: CHF/HNV/Institute for the Culture of Vojvodina Croats
