The Croatian Diaspora

ZAGREB, April 15, 2020 - The Association of Croatian American Professionals (ACAP) has raised over $160,000 to help Croatian hospitals purchase medical equipment and supplies after the March 22 earthquake in Zagreb and the COVID-19 pandemic. The first instalment of funds was transferred on Tuesday to a charitable fund “Croatia against Coronavirus” established by the Croatian government. "We understand that help is needed and needed now, especially for the new born and those most vulnerable... These are difficult and uncertain economic times for everyone, including our members. The show of unity and support across all parts of the United States…

ZAGREB, April 6, 2020 - Croatian expats who lost their jobs in EU members states have started returning to Croatia following the outbreak of the coronavirus, aware that medical expenses, in case they get infected, will be much higher there than in Croatia, the Večernji List daily wrote on Monday. In case the crisis lasts, the number of expats returning to Croatia will rise because as foreigners in other EU countries they will be among the first to get laid off, the daily said. According to demographer Stjepan Šterc, those who left Croatia over the past several years will return…

April 5, 2020 - As social distancing restricts public gatherings, Croatian masses are also affected. A lovely gesture for Father Marko Stefanec from his Catholic flock in Hamilton, Canada. One of the many consequences on the new restrictions on social gatherings is the lack of public attendance by Croatian communities both here and in the diaspora at Holy Mass on Sundays. With Easter next week, this will be particularly difficult for many Croatians. who are a very devout Catholic nation.  I received two messages two on the subject: Hi Paul, need a favor. My mother lives in Australia and is…

ZAGREB, April 1, 2020 - The Association of Croatian-American Professionals (ACAP) has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for hospitals damaged in the 22 March earthquake in Zagreb. The entire proceeds collected will be donated to the Petrova Women's Hospital, Rebro University Hospital and other hospitals in the capital. Our aim is to collect USD 200,000 in the next two to three weeks because we know funds are needed now to reconstruct after the quake-damaged buildings and to provide support to hospitals battling with coronavirus. We will try and do what we can, a member of ACAP's executive board,…

ZAGREB, March 16, 2020 - Croatia has set aside five million kuna, the same as in 2019, for Croat minority programmes in 12 European countries, and applications for grants can be submitted until April 14, the Central State Office for Croats Abroad has said. Of the five million kuna (approx. 660,000 euro), 1.25 million is intended for Croat minority organisations in Serbia, HRK 550,000 is intended for Croats in Slovenia, HRK 500,000 each for Croat minority organisations in Austria and Hungary, and HRK 400,000 each for Croats in Montenegro and Italy. A total of HRK 350,000 each is to be…

ZAGREB, March 12, 2020 - The only political party of the Croat minority in Serbia will run in the country's April elections in a coalition with pro-democracy and pro-European parties, organisations and individuals, the leader of the Democratic Alliance of Croats in Vojvodina (DSHV), Tomislav Žigmanov, said on Wednesday. Serbia will hold elections on 26 April for city councils, the parliament of Vojvodina province and the national parliament. As a member of the Vojvodina Front movement, which includes the Social Democratic League of Vojvodina and the Vojvodina Party, the DSHV has joined the United Democratic Serbia coalition, which comprises the…

ZAGREB, March 3, 2020 - President Zoran Milanović said on Monday after a meeting with Burgenland Croats that Croatia should allocate more funds to that minority community. "From this position it is easier to say that we should give them more money, because I was prime minister and could have done so myself. However, I was surprised by how little we as a state give to this community," Milanović said in Eisenstadt, the capital of Burgenland, where he met with the Burgenland Croats' representatives. "I think we should give more, the funds Croatia allocates are very limited, and I am…

ZAGREB, February 23, 2020 - The traditional 29th Croatian Ball, organised by the Austrian Croatian Union for Culture and Sports, opened at Vienna's Arcotel Wimberger Hotel on Saturday evening. The event brought together about 350 Croats from Vienna and throughout Austria, their guests from Croatia, Austrian friends and sponsors. The head of the Austrian Croatian Union for Culture and Sports, Mate Ružić, said in his opening remarks that the ball had become a place for social interaction and entertainment for Croats and their guests in the Austrian capital. Those present were also addressed by Croatiana Orešković of the Central State…

ZAGREB, February 17, 2020 - Technical equipment including a laptop, a printer and a Wi-Fi router were stolen from the offices of the local cultural society of ethnic Croats in the village of Ljuba in the Serbian province of Vojvodina, local media outlets reported on Monday. The Hrvatska Riječ weekly newspaper reported that the theft had occurred under still unclear circumstances. A representative of the association, Željka Donković, told the newspaper that the local authorities in the municipality of Sid and the local community had provided the Ljuba NGO with space to work. "We have invested a lot of funds…

ZAGREB, February 16, 2020 - The Croat member of Bosnia and Herzegovina's (BiH) tripartite Presidency and its current chair, Željko Komšić, on Saturday had an audience with Pope Francis during which the current situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the status of the Church in the country were discussed, the BiH Presidency said. Komšić also met separately with the Holy See's Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin. The Vatican will continue providing constructive political support to Bosnia and Herzegovina as a multi-ethnic country and it will continue supporting its bid to join Euro-Atlantic associations, it was said at the meeting…