The Croatian Diaspora

October 17, 2022 - Did you know that Australia's oldest married couple (82 years) hailed from Vrgorac? The fascinating TCN returnee inbox contributions continue. And the returnees keep on returning.  The TCN inbox has never been dull, but since I posted an offer of a free interview to any returnee who wanted to share their experience of moving back to the Homeland, things have been very interesting indeed.  The TCN series, Croatian Returnee Reflections has been a big hit - check out the stories so far here.  If you want to share your returnee story, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Subject Returnee That led…

October 12, 2022 - The inaugural TCN/AVG Croatian Returnee Reflections night took place in Zagreb last night. It will be the first of many.  Things are changing. Slowly.  But I can feel it. It is still a trickle, but the diaspora is starting to return to the Homeland. A younger generation, not blinded by politics and Communism conspiracy theories, but rather enthused with love of their roots and with an entrepreneurial spirit.  And this whole thing escalated VERY quickly.  One month ago, I posted a status on Facebook and LinkedIn. I have always had lots of email from the Croatian…

October 8, 2022 - Whisper it quietly, but more and more people are relocating to Croatia from the diaspora. In a new TCN series, we meet them to find out how they are faring and what advice they have for others thinking of making the switch. Next up is Zeljka Tomljenovic, who moved from London to Zagreb.  I was born in Slavonski Brod, where I went to primary school then I went to secondary school in Bosanski Brod. I completed the rest of my formal education at the University of Novi Sad. This variety of places where I lived in…

October 5, 2022 - Whisper it quietly, but more and more people are relocating to Croatia from the diaspora. In a new TCN series, we meet them to find out how they are faring and what advice they have for others thinking of making the switch. Next up is Mike Simundic from British Columbia, Canada to Dalmatia (Editor's note: being a Dalmatian, Mike is going slow with the full move, but has been building up to it with longer stays over the last two years).  My name is Mike (Marijan) Šimundić; I was born and raised in British Columbia, Canada,…

October 4, 2022 - Whisper it quietly, but more and more people are relocating to Croatia from the diaspora. In a new TCN series, we meet them to find out how they are faring and what advice they have for others thinking of making the switch. Next up is Phil Vrankovich, who moved from California to Hvar.  My name is Philip Vrankovich, and I am presently retired after 30 years in the IT side of the energy business. I was born in Oakland, California. My connection to Croatia is through my paternal grandparents, Antun Vranković and Bona Dobrosić, both from…

October 3, 2022 - Whisper it quietly, but more and more people are relocating to Croatia from the diaspora. In a new TCN series, we meet them to find out how they are faring and what advice they have for others thinking of making the switch. Next up is Katarina Bucic, who moved from Toronto to Zadar.  My name is Katarina Bučić; I was born and raised in the Greater Toronto Area. I lived in Canada with my parents, who moved to Toronto 30+ years ago from Posušje, Hercegovina, and my 4 brothers for 27 years. I worked as a…

October 2, 2022 - Whisper it quietly, but more and more people are relocating to Croatia from the diaspora. In a new TCN series, we meet them to find out how they are faring and what advice they have for others thinking of making the switch. Next up is Mikki Hall, who moved from the UK to Osijek.  Mikki Hall is an experienced Customer Experience Consultant whose strategic marketing experience has seen her work across industries and organisations around the world. In addition to her busy corporate career, Mikki also worked as a property developer and a freelance interior designer…

October 1, 2022 - Whisper it quietly, but more and more people are relocating to Croatia from the diaspora. In a new TCN series, we meet them to find out how they are faring and what advice they have for others thinking of making the switch. Next up is Andrian Juric, who moved from Sydney to Zagreb. My family is from Škabrnja, a town known for its agriculture and classic Dalmatian attitude; you know the one: slow to anger, reasonable in debates, respectful of road rules, and a healthy dose of sarcasm. I was born in Sydney, Australia, and like my…

September 29, 2022 - Whisper it quietly, but more and more people are relocating to Croatia from the diaspora. In a new TCN series, we meet them to find out how they are faring and what advice they have for others thinking of making the switch. Next up is Marko Petric, who moved from Berlin to Zagreb. I was born in 1993 in Split, Croatia. I am the oldest of three children born to our mom, a Croatian language professor, and our dad, a telecommunications engineer. My siblings and I grew up in lovely Posusje, in the West Herzegovina region…

September 28, 2022 – The Croatian Women’s NetworkTM/Mreža Hrvatskih Žena is calling for nominations for its coveted Croatian Women of Influence Awards and Future Leaders Awards, which will be conferred at a gala event on International Women’s Day Wednesday, March 8th, 2023 in Zagreb, Republic of Croatia   Recognizing leadership, innovation, and community impact “Since 2016, CWN/MHŽ has been recognizing and celebrating Croatian women the world over with the only award of its kind. We are thrilled to be returning to Zagreb following a two-year hiatus due to pandemic restrictions,” noted Caroline Spivak, founder of Croatian Women’s NetworkTM/Mreža Hrvatskih Žena. “It…