February the 20th, 2023 - If you're into linguistics, you've more than likely heard of Chakavian, which is one of the main dialects of standard Croatian as we know it today, and which was officially declared a language back in 2020. What about a dialect of Chakavian itself, such as the Buzet dialect, however?

We've explored many of the dialects, subdialects and indeed languages in their own right as some linguists consider them to be which are spoken across modern Croatia. From the Dubrovnik subdialect (Ragusan) in the extreme south of Dalmatia to Northwestern Kajkavian in areas like Zagorje, the ways in which people speak in this country deviate from what we know as standard Croatian language enormously. That goes without even mentioning much about old Dalmatian, Zaratin, once widely spoken in and around Zadar, Istriot, or Istro-Venetian. 

The Buzet dialect is just one of a multitude of dialects and subdialects spoken in and around the region of the Istrian peninsula, which was dominated by Italian for a very long time owing to the formerly powerful Venice. Contrary to popular belief (and what the bilinguial signs across Istria might have you believe), there is far more than just Italian spoken alongside standard Croatian in this part of the country. Istro-Venetian, Istriot, Istrian-Albanian (now extinct), Istro-Romanian... the list goes on. All of these dialects, which some linguists consider to be languages in their own right, showcase the sheer amount of culture and foreign influence that has come and gone in Istria throughout the many centuries gone by, and as you can see - it stretches far beyond the realms of Italian and the former Venetian Empire.

A brief history of the Buzet dialect

The Buzet dialect, a dialect of the much more widely spread Chakavian, is particularly interesting as it is believed to represent the transition of Chakavian towards the dialects spoken nearby, just across the border in neighbouring Slovenia. It is precisely this linguistic relationship which provides the Buzet dialect with (in many cases) very obvious Chakavian-Kajkavian dialectological features.

Owing to the presence of these transitional features of Kajkavian (and not only Chakavian), which actually represent a transitional line between the Chakavian and several Slovenian dialects, numerous linguists once thought that this separate part of the Kajkavian dialect had found itself in the northern part of Istria and in Buzet from the wider region of Gorski kotar. It was even considered to be a marginal Slovenian dialect in the past. This is now deemed to have been a mistake made by the Slovenian linguist Fran Ramovs.

Who was Fran Ramovs?

Born in the Slovenian capital city of Ljubljana, this prominent linguist studied and explored the various dialects of the Slovenian language in Vienna. 

Where is the Buzet dialect spoken?

Well, the name likely gives it away. It is spoken in and around the area of Buzet, but it spreads considerably across the northern part of Istria as well.

The background of this dialect now considered to undoubtedly be Chakavian, there are still some features that make it stand out it from the rest of the Chakavian dialects spoken in the modern day, and one of those features are its consonants and how they've developed. Delving a little deeper, even the Buzet dialect, which is a dialect of Chakavian (which was also once considered a dialect!) can be divided into two separate subdialects; the southeastern subdialect, which is an apparent transition towards North Chakavian, and then the rest of it which is more widely spoken and which doesn't show as many North Chakavian transition points.

In the wider division of Chakavian into its northwestern and southeastern dialects, the Buzet dialect is considered to be northwestern.

For more on the Croatian language, from its dialects, subdialects, history and even learning to swear, make sure to follow our dedicated lifestyle section. An article on language is published every Monday.

February the 20th, 2023 - Around 4,000 Croatian euro coins are producted in one single minute by the responsible machines, an impressive feat indeed.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, owing to the introduction of the euro at the beginning of this year, the Croatian Mint has had to produce a total of 650 million coins, about two-thirds of that work was carried out last year, and the remaining part - about 200 million Croatian euro coins in total - should be completed this year.

In the modernly equipped mint, which is owned by the Croatian National Bank (CNB/HNB), highly sought-after numismatic gold and silver Croatian euro coins are produced, and preparations are also being made for the possible production of euro coins for other member states of the European Union (EU) as well.

About four thousand Croatian euro coins come out of the machines in one single minute. In just over five months last year, the Croatian mint minted as many as 405 million coins. Work was carried out in three shifts, 24 hours a day, Roman Husta, director of production at the Croatian Mint, explained during his appearance on Dnevnik HTV.

"This year, we have basically the same amount of forging per minute, about 4 to 4.5 thousand coins is the average, but considering the reduced amount of forging tiles we've been receiving from our suppliers, we've been working at a slightly reduced pace," Husta added.

The plan is to mint another 200 million Croatian euro coins

This year, the plans are to mint around 200 million more Croatian euro coins in order to reach the planned amount needed for the complete exchange of the former currency (the Croatian kuna) into euros. However, he noted, it's currently difficult to estimate what the regular need for these euro coins will be over the coming years.

Estimates are currently being made of what the needs will be for next year. "We're entering a large market as a small country. Each country has different experiences. We hope that there will be some kind of need that will make it possible to finance the continued life of this factory", said Damir Bolta, President of the Management Board of the Croatian Mint.

In addition to money for circulation, numismatic coins, silver coins and gold coins are also produced in the mint on modern machines and tools. The latest Hum gold coin has attracted special attention from the public. Much like the Istrian destination after which it is named (the smallest city in the world) the coin is the smallest coin in the world, measuring even two millimetres in diameter.

"It was a challenge for us to show, in addition to making euro coins, that we're capable of doing something more in other areas as well. So the idea was, why don't we make the smallest coin, and so it was made. A happy solution for the motif is Hum in Istria, which has the status of the smallest city in the world," said Bolta.

The Croatian Mint has entered the narrow European circle of only seventeen accredited institutions for the production of euro coins, so it's possible that in the future it will apply for tenders to create coins announced by other member states of the European Union,'' it was explained on HTV.

For more, make sure to check out our dedicated news section.

February 21, 2023 - On February 14, on Valentine's Day, the company Collective Mind DEV released a new special edition mobile application on Google and Apple Store - the Indigo Spajalica (Indigo Matchmaker).

As SiB writes, the team from Collective Mind, an IT company with German roots that offers the development of ready-made software solutions (web and mobile), digitalization of business processes, UI/UX design, and branding, with an office in Osijek, decided to celebrate their 5^th birthday in a unique way, by offering their services pro bono to an association of their choice.

They selected Indigo, an association for the welfare and protection of animals from Rakitje near Zagreb. The planning of the project started quickly and soon resulted in a great idea. It was to create a mobile application that will facilitate the adoption process for current and future adopters through a questionnaire that connects the characteristics and life habits of the adopters with the characteristics and needs of dogs and cats. And that's how the Indigo Spajalica (Indigo Matchmaker) was born. A mobile application through which you can find your furry soulmate.

In addition to matching foster pet parents with their furry soulmates, the application provides users with information on how they can help Indigo's pets, how to support the work of the association, and is a place where foster parents can share their experiences and beautiful moments with their pets through short posts.

Play Store

What does the app provide?

Happy stories - sharing photos and thoughts of adopters and caretakers from temporary accommodation, of volunteers taking the Indigo snouts for walks along Lake Rakitje, or former Indigo snouts from their forever homes.

Snouts - get to know the snouts that are looking for their soulmates.

Spajalica – a survey based on which the Indigo algorithm picks one (or more) furry soulmates. The user just needs to contact Indigo for the first date!

Aunts/uncles guardians - submitting applications of aunts and uncles guardians to provide a temporary home to the snouts while they wait for their forever home.

Fairies and elves - submitting applications for financing/godmothering of the little snouts until they find their forever home.

In addition to the above, all details about the Association, volunteering, and contact information for any questions can be found in the app.

The application is available on Google Store and Apple Store.

For more, make sure to check out our dedicated Lifestyle section.

February the 20th, 2023 - The Croatian company DOK-ING has sent two robots to Ukraine's aid, seeing them handed over to the representatives of the Ukrainian State Administration for Emergency Sisutations by Marijo Grgurinovic, DOK-ING's main man.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, the handover of two out of a total of eight robotic systems designed for humanitarian demining to war-torn Ukraine took place at the headquarters of the Croatian company DOK-ING company a few days ago. The president of the DOK-ING Management Board, Marijo Grgurinovic, personally partook in the exchange.

As explained in the company's press release, the robots were donated by an American donor, and senior representatives of the Directorate of Civil Protection and the Centre for Testing, Development and Training (CTRO) also took part in the handover to Ukrainian officials.

Neven Karas, coordinator for civil protection affairs of the Directorate of Civil Protection, pointed out that, unfortunately, the Republic of Croatia has had to endure a similar experience as what Ukraine is currently going through, but thanks to it, the country gained rich experience in mine action.

"As Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic pointed out at the last meeting with President Zelenski, an agreement on cooperation in the field of mine action between Ukraine and Croatia will be concluded, and one of the most important segments of this cooperation and assistance is precisely the delivery of our equipment and machines for humanitarian action. We've repeatedly pointed out that we have rich experience, we have knowledge and we have all of the proper resources,'' added Karas.

Marijo Grgurinovic stated that he is glad that the Croatian company DOK-ING has had trust placed in it and has once again been recognised as the world leader in demining robots, where it holds 80% of the global market.

"DOK-ING has sold its machines in about 40 countries around the world, and while we have world fame and attention, we're glad when we're visited in Zitnjak, where the very development and production of our robots takes place, where you can essentially see and feel the lifeblood of our innovation laboratory, and which is backed by top engineering experts", said Grgurinovic.

Alina Kozlova, a representative of SESU Ukraine, added that these robotic machines really do work to save human lives thanks to their remote controls and many multi-functionalities.

As a reminder, the Croatian company DOK-ING's robotic systems are used all over the world by armies, civil protection units, members of police forces, commercial operators and international non-governmental organisations in all kinds of demining operations.

For more, make sure to check out our dedicated news section.

February the 20th, 2023 - Croatian innovator Mate Rimac is constantly showcasing what can be done with grit and determination, even in Croatia, which isn't known for its kindness to budding entrepreneurs. His recent appearance on the beloved British show Top Gear saw him reveal more about his passion - cars.

Rimac and Top Gear are hardly strangers, with Richard Hammond once infamously crashing one of his cars and ending up in a coma, almost losing his life. Still, not everything linking Croatia's ''modern day Tesla'' or ''the Elon Musk of the Balkans'', as the German media once referred to him, and Top Gear is so bleak.

Having impressed all and sundry in the world's automotive sector, this inventor keeps on surprising us with what he comes up with next, and his choice of dream cars might come as quite the surprise to those who are better acquainted with what he does, too.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, talented Croatian innovator Mate Rimac was a recent guest in the Top Gear studio with host Jack Rix. He appeared alongside some of the world's strongest automotive names – Christian von Koenigsegg, Gordon Murray and John Hennessey.

Among other things, the presenter asked them what their dream cars were, and Rimac's answer probably surprised many.

"I'm a petrolhead," Rimac said, adding that 99 percent of his dream cars are actually petrol-powered, which is quite the opposite of what his famous supercars run on. Rimac named the BMW M3 E30 as his top dream car. He also added that he has one in his own personal collection and that in his opinion it is one of the most beautiful cars ever created.

You can watch the video by clicking here.

For more, make sure to check out our dedicated news section.

February 19, 2023 - There is no street party quite like a Rijeka street party. A photo special from Rijeka Carnival 2023, with photos by Steve Tsentserensky. 

I am still recovering from my last night out in Rijeka three years ago. 

The 2020 Rijeka Carnival coincided with the opening of Rijeka 2020, as the city became the European City of Culture in that ill-fated year of 2020. None of us knew what was ahead of us on that fabulous opening night, and you can read about how Rijeka threw one of the best parties in my 20 years in Croatia in Rijeka 2020 Opening Party: Bold, Controversial, Brilliant - a Foreign Resident's View.

The Rijeka Carnival is the biggest in Croatia and one of the biggest in Europe. It is a fantastic event, and this year, we dispatched American digital nomad Steve Tsentserensky off to the Kvarner coast to take a few photos for TCN. 

Thanks Steve - looks like an amazing day, and interesting to see that they traditional  effigy for burning this year contained the squabbling President and Prime Minister of Croatia, Zoran Milanovic and Andrej Plenkovic.  

February 19, 2023 - The SuperSport HNL 22nd round was played from February 17 to 19, 2023. Rijeka continued its winning streak in this round after beating Lokomotiva. Istra also continued to impress after beating Osijek at home. Sibenik secured an important victory in their fight to stay in the top league, while Hajduk struggled against the last-placed team. 

Slaven Belupo v. Sibenik (0-1)

Belupo and Sibenik opened the 22nd round on Friday, February 17, in Koprivnica in front of 589 fans. 

The match's only goal came when Peric scored for 0-1 Sibenik. Belupo had more possession during the game (55%) and 21 total shots to Sibenik's nine. Belupo also had seven shots on target compared to Sibenik's 4. The Sibenik keeper had to make seven saves compared to Belupo's three. 

Belupo is in 5th place with 22 points, while Sibenik is in 9th with 19. Belupo plays the next round against Rijeka, and Sibenik meets Istra. 

Istra 1961 v. Osijek (1-0)

Istra and Osijek met on Saturday, February 18, in Pula in front of 1,358 fans. 

After a scoreless first half, Mlinar's goal was called offside in the 47th minute. Just 10 minutes later, Erceg scored for 1-0 Istra, though Osijek disputed the goal as they believed there was a foul on Čeberko before Erceg scored. It continued going downhill for Osijek when Mierez was shown a red card in the 79th minute. Erceg pushed Mierez, and referee Ante Čuljak did not call the foul. Mierez then hit Erceg and received a straight red card. Osijek thus played with a man down for the remainder of the match and created only one good chance with 12 minutes of stoppage time added. Istra had 47% of possession to Osijek's 53%. 

Istra is currently in 4th place with 30 points and a game in hand, while Osijek is in 3rd with 35. Istra's next match is against Sibenik, while Osijek meets Varazdin. 

Lokomotiva v. Rijeka (1-2)

Lokomotiva and Rijeka met in the second match on Saturday, February 18, in Zagreb in front of 1,102 fans. 

Frigan put Rijeka ahead in the 10th minute for 0-1. Obregon made it 0-2 in the 69th minute. Maric scored for 1-2 in the second minute of stoppage time. Lokomotiva maintained more possession during the match than Rijeka (63% to 37%) and had more shots on target (5 shots to 3). Rijeka's goalkeeper also made four saves compared to Lokomotiva's one save.

Lokomotiva is in 8th place with 25 points, while Rijeka is in 6th with 28. Lokomotiva meets Gorica next and Rijeka meets Belupo. 

Varazdin v. Dinamo (1-3)

Varazdin and Dinamo met on Sunday, February 19, in Varazdin in front of 7,581 fans. 

After a scoreless first half, Ivanusec put Dinamo ahead with a goal in the 49th minute. Ivanusec increased Dinamo's lead to 0-2 in the 73rd minute. Teklic got one goal for Varazin in the 80th before Ademi scored five minutes later for the final 1-3. Dinamo had 56% possession in the match, 16 total shots, and seven on target. Varazdin only had six total shots and three on target. 

Varazdin is in 7th place with 27 points, while Dinamo remains in first with 52 points and a game in hand. Varazdin meets Osijek next, and Dinamo meets Hajduk at Maksimir. 

Hajduk v. Gorica (2-1)

Hajduk and Gorica closed out the 22nd round on Sunday at Poljud in front of 12,362 fans. 

After a scoreless first half, Livaja found the back of the net for 1-0 Hajduk in the 59th minute. Bralic equalized just five minutes later for 1-1. Benrahou assisted Kalinic for the final 2-1 in the 78th minute. Hajduk maintained 56% of possession during the match. Gorica had 18 total shots compared to Hajduk's 9, but Hajduk had four shots on target compared to Gorica's 2. 

Hajduk is in 2nd place with 44 points, while Gorica is in last place with 9 points. Hajduk meets Dinamo next, and Gorica meets Lokomotiva. 

You can check out the HNL table HERE. 

To follow the latest sports news in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

February the 19th, 2023 - Father Vuk Buljan, the head of the Croatian Catholic Mission in Cologne, has received the 2023 Alojzije Stepinac Award for his selfless work in promoting patriotism and for his charity work.

The Alojzije Stepinac awards search for and identify outstanding Croats living in the diaspora, whose selfless dedication, contribution and/or philanthropy during their lifetime have significantly contributed to their own Croatian community, the advancement of the Republic of Croatia and the unity of Croats living both in the Homeland and abroad.

The award, a statue of Alojzije Stepinac and a plaque were presented to Father Buljan last Sunday by "Croatian Patriot” Association member Marinko Šušak who, along with two other members, came to Cologne from Zagreb for the occasion. Along with about five hundred believers, the consul of the Republic of Croatia in Düsseldorf, Dr. Ivan Bulić, attended the ceremony.

Father Vuk Buljan is a member of the Franciscan Province of the Holy Redeemer, based in Split. He was born in 1964 in Podbablje near Imotski. He was ordained a priest in 1991, and since 1993 he has been working as a missionary among Croats in Germany: 20 years in Munich and 10 years in Cologne. Since 1994, he has been president of the charity "Hands of Kindness", which aims to help sick children of fallen Croatian veterans and disabled people affected by the Homeland War in a special way. In addition, Fr. Vuk was recognized as a tireless and ardent promoter of love for God, love for humanity and patriotism. 

During his speech of thanks, Father Vuk Buljan emphasised the fact that he received this award because of all of the noble believers and good people who enabled him to do good for others.

Video: Fr. Vuk's speech of thanks for the award