May the 29th, 2023 - A big change has finally been brought in when it comes to the Zagreb public transport network, and the launch of the long awaited Moj ZET app (My ZET) has dragged the ticket purchasing process into the 21st century.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, have you recently noticed the stickers placed in Zagreb's public transport vehicles? The new QR codes on the doors of buses and trams didn't end up being stuck there by accident, and it was actually the sign that the official Moj ZET app was finally on its way to passengers who had until now had to purchase tickets either on board or at iNovine or Tisak kiosks. The new Moj ZET app was officially presented today.

It was tested out by Vecernji list journalists, and here's what passengers using public transport in the capital will be able to do with the Moj ZET app as of today.

To get started, the application must be downloaded for free from the Google Playstore (Android) or the App Store (iOS). For easier use of the application, it's necessary to enable the application to use the location. The location-based app offers tickets that can be purchased in the area where the traveller is currently located.

In order to receive warnings about the imminent expiration of an active ticket, the Moj ZET application must be enabled to send the phone notifications. In addition to that, the application is available in both Croatian and English. In addition to buying tickets, traffic notifications about traffic diversions, ongoing works, temporary issues and other changes can be checked in the application.

After downloading the Moj ZET app, and in order to buy an individual ticket for use in a ZET vehicle, you'll need to top up your eWallet funds with a top up of at least one euro, while the maximum amount you can have on your account at anyone one time is 50 euros.

The new Moj ZET application will display all available maps for the area you're in on the screen (so again, turn your location on!). Selecting the desired map starts the process of reading the QR code. If a controller wants to make sure you've purchased and hold a valid ticket at the time of your travel, go to the Maps menu, in the upper left corner, and select the controller icon. A QR code will be displayed on the screen, which the controller will then read and verify with his device.

For more, check out our news section.

May the 29th, 2023 - Could the territory of the Republic of Croatia and its immediate surroundings become an arid, hostile semi-desert in the future as a result of climate change? Dunja Mazzocco Drvar of the Directorate for Climate Activities at the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development believes so.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, Dunja Mazzocco Drvar, the director of the Directorate for Climate Activities at the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, recently commented on what awaits the Republic of Croatia in the future when it comes to the ever-pressing threat of climate change.

"We're moving more and more quickly towards Croatia becoming a semi-arid, semi-desert area, because it's located in the Mediterranean which is an area that particularly feels climate changes when they occur, and generally much more strongly than the global average.

Droughts have already become a very big problem here. We have a situation in which 30 percent of our damages caused by climate and weather extremes are due to droughts, which shows that this is the form the weather disaster with which we already have the most problems.

Immediately after the drought comes the flood. This is what is the key when it comes to climate change, these strong extremes, we've had the opportunity to see what these floods can be like and we can now clearly see that we will have more and more problems with them going forward. After a year that's been extremely dry like last year, it isn't at all surprising that one like this will follow that is extremely rainy," explained Dunja Mazzoco Drvar for N1, referencing the droughts of 2022 and the terrible situation much of the country and nearby Italy has suffered recently owing to very high water levels and flooding.

She also commented on Croatia's climate ambitions and aims, and says that most of the work is currently being done on the adoption of new European Union legislation.

"We'll soon be done with that, now, one by one, these regulations are being passed, and then the next step will be the introduction of these new regulations into the new European climate package Fit for 55 into Croatian national legislation. This will then mean that not only laws and regulations must be passed, but that some kind of implementation mechanisms should also be set up, and we have a long way to go to achieve what we set out to do with the European Green Plan, to turn it into a real action, that is, to legislate it," she concluded.

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

May the 29th, 2023 - Film lovers have begun returning to Croatian cinemas in gradually greater numbers in the post-pandemic period, but we're still nowhere near the numbers of cinema-goers we once saw before the coronavirus pandemic struck back at the beginning of 2020.

As Poslovni Dnevnik/Marija Brnic writes, for the second year in a row, people have gradually been returning to Croatian cinemas in greater numbers and more and more films are being watched, but those numbers still haven't reached the levels they were at before the outbreak of the global coronavirus pandemic.

Croatian cinemas were of course closed due to epidemiological measures in force at the time which prohibited, among other things, the gathering of larger numbers of people indoors. According to the CBS data, compared to 2021, last year, the number of films shown increased by 9 percent, and the number of visitors to Croatian cinemas by 22 percent, while compared to the pre-pandemic results, the number of screenings almost reached the levels we saw back in 2019.

In accordance with the return of viewers to Croatian cinemas, income from ticket sales also increased by 25 percent. The biggest growth of all was recorded by concerts, plays and other alternative events, which increased by 138 percent compared to 2021, but they have the smallest share in the entire structure.

The number of Croatian cinemas has also increased, and the country is currently richer for three more than it was back in 2022. It's also interesting to note that the City of Zagreb isn't home to the largest number of Croatian cinemas. There are twice as many cinemas in Split-Dalmatia County, 16 of them in total, and 9 in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County.

However, Zagreb still has the largest number of movie theatres with the largest number of visitors. Of the 189 cinemas across the Republic of Croatia, 52 of them are located in Zagreb, 34 are in Split-Dalmatia County, and 20 can be found in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, and the ratio of the number of films shown and viewers of them in those cinemas is similar. A total of 181.6 thousand films were shown last year, with 3,159 viewers, and of these, the most films shown (67.5 thousand) and viewers (1.4 million) were in Zagreb's cinemas. Four Croatian counties - Krapina-Zagorje, Koprivnica-Krizevci, Pozega-Slavonia and Brod-Posavina - all have at least one theatre hall each, with Krapina-Zagorje having the smallest number of films screened.

Most Croatian cinemas boast between 200 and 300 seats, and only one has more than two thousand in total. It's also worth noting that 508 people were employed in various Croatian cinemas, almost all of them on full-time contracts, and from the sale of tickets last year, Croatian cinemas earned a total of 111.2 million kuna gross, while alternative content brought them 1.7 million kuna kuna.

Back in pre-pandemic 2019, there was actually a record number of viewers recorded visiting Croatian cinemas, higher than in the previously record year of 1994, a total of 5.03 million of them, but as a result of the global public health crisis, that number fell to 1.5 million.

For more, check out our news section.

May the 28th, 2023 - The Maksim Mrvica North American tour concluded in New York City on Saturday. This was otherwise the first North American tour by the renowned Croatian classical crossover pianist who enjoys international recognition.

New Yorkers, including a lot of Croatian Americans and their friends, enjoyed an evening of unforgettable music as virtuoso pianist repeatedly caused stormy ovations from the cheering audience. New York concert took place in the United Palace, which is Manhattan’s 4th largest theatre featuring a distinctly unique fusion of decorative styles and symbolic motifs.

Maksim, who has made a famous name and reputation over the last two decades with his curated collection of crossover performances, started his North American tour on May 17^th in Vancouver, followed by concerts on May 19^th in Toronto, May 23^rd in Seattle, and May 25^th in Chicago.

With a crossover show, 'The Collection' showcased the greatest hits of all time by Coldplay, John Legend, and Queen, themes from movies like Godfather, Pirates of the Caribbean, Game of Thrones, some classical masterpieces by Liszt and Chopin along with the biggest pieces from his previous ten albums like Flight of the Bumblebee, Exodus and many more. Maksim performed with his full band and brought to North American audience a dazzling, overwhelming performance.

After a pause of almost 3 years, he started the world tour ‘The Collection’, which began in Australia in September last year, followed by tours in Asia, Europe, and in North America. It’s been more than 20 years since he started to play crossover music. During these years he has recorded 10 studio albums and with this tour ‘The Collection’ he has chosen some of his most popular and famous pieces to perform together with the band, all around the world. When performing crossover shows, he uses the opportunity to play one or two pieces from his classical repertoire. For this tour, Maksim has chosen Liszt Ballade No.2.

Maksim was born in Šibenik, Croatia, and has received numerous accolades for his music, including an MTV Award and a double-platinum album. He is currently in the process of recording a new album. He has already recorded a new song and now work on choosing and recording some new pieces for his next album, which is expected to be released by the mid of 2024.

May 29, 2023 - Known for their unwavering and uncompromising commitment towards excellence, Bugatti and Binghatti – two visionary brands – have unveiled their first collaboration: Bugatti Residences, a ground-breaking real estate development in the heart of Dubai. The project was revealed at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai on May 24th, 2023 by Mate Rimac, CEO of Bugatti Rimac, and Muhammad BinGhatti, CEO of Binghatti.

Bugatti Residences by Binghatti – the first-ever Bugatti Residences in the world – is located in the prime area of the Business Bay in Dubai, states the official press release. The collaboration between the two revered brands aims to depict synergies that achieve unparalleled excellence. Drawing upon the rich and diverse creative heritage of both brands, the Bugatti and Binghatti collaboration project has at its nucleus a meticulously designed structure featuring a distinctive façade complemented by intricately designed interiors. With its serene undertones, the hyper-form will juxtapose the city’s bustling energy – a retreat in the heart of the metropolis.

The design of Bugatti Residences reflects the iconic brand elements and luxury design innovations of Bugatti, merging these values cohesively with Binghatti’s expertise in creating a phenomenal architectural masterpiece. Bugatti Residences will feature a collection of 171 Riviera Mansions and 11 Sky Mansion Penthouses, each of them being absolutely unique with bespoke curated layouts. The first Bugatti residence is also designed with peerless luxurious amenities, including a Riviera-inspired beach, private pool, jacuzzi spa, fitness club, chef’s table, private valet, private members club and two garage-to-penthouse car lifts. The residence also features a host of high-end and tailored services dedicated to its residents, including bespoke chauffeur and concierge services.

Unmatched craftsmanship and exquisite finishes that set a new standard for opulence will be at the heart of the living spaces curated for Bugatti Residences, ensuring that the “Art of Living” is reimagined for a contemporary defining era. Both penthouses and mansions offer spacious living areas adorned with the finest material selection the world has to offer. The Bugatti Residences carry a seamless blend of comfort, functionality and elegance that reflect Bugatti and Binghatti’s pre-eminence in design.

The two brands have integrated the distinctive flair of the French Riviera into every aspect of the development. Starting from the very moment of setting foot within the residences, a sense of exuberance takes hold, transporting residents to the inspiring region that has long captured the hearts of connoisseurs of refined living. In the same way that Bugatti has translated the beauty and sophistication of French luxury into the design of its hyper sports cars, Bugatti Residences brings the breeze and feel of the French Riviera into this private oasis. In its organically sculpted design, Bugatti Residences by Binghatti manifests the beauty of the Riviera’s spirit and flair.

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

May 28, 2023 - An early morning explotion in Rijeka and seemingly a campaign against supermarket chain, reports Index.hr. Two bombers have been arrested.  

Early this morning around 00:30, there was an explosion in Rijeka, and the police arrested two bombers, who are connected to a series of explosive devices placed in the area of Rijeka, the last of which went off last night. Last night's explosion occurred near the Plodina administration building in the Tower Center in Rijeka's Pećine.

There were no injured persons in the explosion.

Immediately before the activation of the explosive device at the Tower Center, around midnight, police officers of the Primorsko-Goranska Police Department found a German and a Croatian citizen in front of the shopping center in the Kostrena area, who had left an explosive device there. The mentioned persons were arrested and taken to the police station, the police announced.

The suspects also had a third device, and everything is connected to the explosion on May 21 in the area of the Vežica shopping center in Rijeka, when the glass on the door of the Plodine shopping center was damaged due to the activation of an unknown explosive device.

The investigation of the aforementioned events is ongoing, as well as a criminal investigation in order to establish all the facts and circumstances, announced the Primorsko-Gorasnka Police.

The motive for the bombings is pressure on Plodine?
Last night too, two bombers placed explosive devices in front of Plodine buildings. As reported by Jutarnji list, investigators believe that the bombs were placed as some kind of pressure on that company.

They also state that Rijeka's criminal investigators have been suspecting precisely this variant for some time, and that the arrest of two men last night right after they set up an explosive device near Plodin in Kostrena was no accident, but rather some kind of police ambush. Before the arrest in Kostrena, let's remind you, the duo planted an explosive device near the Tower center, which exploded a little later.

Namely, after the first explosion on May 21 in front of Plodina on Vežica, the police made a plan for covert surveillance of Plodina shopping centers in Rijeka, and last night around midnight their surveillance bore fruit.

Bozinović spoke up
Minister of the Interior Davor Božinović also took to Twitter.

"I congratulate the police on their professional and effective work in discovering and arresting persons linked to a series of explosive devices placed in the area of Rijeka. Their commitment to work is a guarantor of the safety of citizens and the protection of public order and peace," he wrote on Twitter.

May 28, 2023 - Looking for a job in Croatia? A new weekly feature on TCN, in partnership with leading job site agency, Posao.hr, who present a selection of weekly job listings.

How hard is it to find a job in Croatia, and what is on offer?

We spoke to Ines Bokan, director of leading jobs site Posao.hr, who kindly took the time for this excellent interview overview.  

This week's top 10 jobs from Posao.hr:

Strabag BRVZ d.o.o. is hiring Cloud Engineer (m/f). The location of work is Zagreb and Belgrade. They are looking for a candidate with a strong background in cloud infrastructure design and development. You can apply until 24.06.2023 on the link here. 

Scheer Adriatic d.o.o. is looking for Senior Software Developer – JavaScript, TypeScript (m/f). The employer is offering structured onboarding and training, flexible working hours, and an attractive salary. The location of work is Zagreb. The deadline for applying is 01.06.2023. You can apply here. 

Future HR is looking for Marketing and Sales Manager (m/f). The location of work is Zagreb. They are looking for a candidate who is familiar with Tourism industry and who has at least 4 years of experience in Sales, Marketing or Tourism. You can click here and apply until 22.06.2023. 

Nattoni International is hiring Active Marketing Chief (m/f) throughout the entirety of Croatia. The employer offers a full-time job, initial training and a personal computer, a mobile phone and an official vehicle. For more benefits and applying process, check this link until 05.06.2023. 

Kempinski hotel Adriatic / Skiper hoteli d.o.o. is looking for Reservations Agent (m/f) in Savudrija. The employer is offering a starting salary by agreement, attractive monthly bonuses, incentive bonuses, provided acommodation and paid travel expenses for employees who have a residence. You can find out more about their benefits on this application. The deadline for applying is 23.06.2023. 

Eko Taxi d.o.o. is hiring Drivers (m/f) in many different locations in Croatia. They are looking for active drivers who have great communication skills and who like to work with clients. You can find out more and apply on this link until the roles are fulfilled. 

CC PORTER Sp. z o.o. is looking for candidates to fulfill these roles: Sales Advisor with Croatian (m/ž), Sales Specialist with German (m/ž), Sales Specialist with Finnish (m/ž), Sales Trainer with Croatian and English (m/ž). They are looking for candidates who are fluent in foreign languages and who have a minimum of 2 years of experience in similar jobs. The location of work is remote. You can apply until 30.06.2023. on this link.

Dr. David digitalna ortodoncija d.o.o.  is for a Dental Assistant (m/f) in Split. The employer is offering acces to modern technology and a team of top experts in the field of work. You can apply until 06.06.2023. on this application link. 

SoundOn Management d.o.o. is hiring Food Delivery Man (m/f) in many different locations in Croatia. The employer is offering a competitive salary, flexible working hours, and bi-weekly paycheck. You can apply here until 15.06.2023. 

Globalna hrana d.o.o. / McDonald's is hiring Restaurant Worker (m/f) in Zadar. The employer is offering an above average salary, meal compensation and compensation for transportation costs. You can find out more and apply on the link here until 08.06.2023. 

For more career options and job listings, visit posao.hr.

These weekly job listings will appear in the weekly TCN newsletter - you can subscribe here.

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What is it like to live in Croatia? An expat for 20 years, you can follow my series, 20 Ways Croatia Changed Me in 20 Years, starting at the beginning - Business and Dalmatia.

Follow Paul Bradbury on LinkedIn.

Croatia, a Survival Kit for Foreigners is now available on Amazon in paperback and on Kindle.

For more career options and job listings, visit posao.hr.

These weekly job listings will appear in the weekly TCN newsletter - you can subscribe here.

****

What is it like to live in Croatia? An expat for 20 years, you can follow my series, 20 Ways Croatia Changed Me in 20 Years, starting at the beginning - Business and Dalmatia.

Follow Paul Bradbury on LinkedIn.

Croatia, a Survival Kit for Foreigners is now available on Amazon in paperback and on Kindle.

May 28, 2023 - The Sinković brothers have done it again, this time winning the gold medal at the European Championships in Bled!

Croatian rowers Martin and Valent Sinković won the gold medal at the European Championships in Bled on Sunday morning.

In the doubles final, the Sinković brothers won yet another European gold with a time of 6:07.00, which is a record at the European Championships. In a great finish, they left the Italians Luca Rombladi and Matteo Sartori behind (6:08.25). The bronze was won by the Dutch crew, made up of Stefan Broenink and Melwin Tweellar (6:10.74).

Sisters Josipa and Ivana Jurković were also in the medal fight in the coxless pairs category. The Croatian rowers took fourth place in the final with a result of 7:08.55. The gold was won by the Romanian crew with a time of 6:56.40. The silver was won by the Dutch crew (6:57.56), and the bronze was taken by the Spanish crew (7:03.56).

The Croatian rowing sisters started the race well. Before the last 500 meters, they held third, but in the end, the Spanish rowers stepped up, leaving the Jurković sisters without a medal.

Brothers Anton and Patrik Lončarić performed in the B final today and were tenth overall. They were fourth in their group with a time of 6:38.46, while the Swiss team, including Roman Roeoesli and Andrin Gulich won the gold (6:22.34).

Damir Martin is 11th overall after finishing fifth in the B singles final with a time of 7:25.88. 

Source: 24 Sata

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

May the 28th, 2023 - On Thursday, Congressman Dave Joyce (Republican, OH-14) announced the relaunch of the Congressional Croatian Caucus for the 118^th Congress of the USA. Rep. Joyce will serve as the Co-Chair of the Caucus alongside Rep. Nanette D. Barragan (Democrat, CA-44) and Vice Chairs Rep. Claudia Tenney (Republican, NY-24) and Rep. Dan Kildee (Democrat, MI-08). 

Rep. David P. Joyce | Rep. David P. Joyce Official Website

The bipartisan Congressional Croatian Caucus promotes bilateral cultural exchange between the USA and Croatia, seeking to expand the important friendship between our two nations by highlighting our shared values, engaging in cross cultural cooperation, and advancing business and trade opportunities across the Atlantic.

“Northeast Ohio is home to roughly 15,000 Americans whose primary ancestry is Croatian, representing the fourth largest concentration of Croatians in the United States,” said Rep. Joyce. “Today, Croatian Americans continue to make critical contributions to our community, strengthening our state. I am proud to co-chair this caucus and look forward to working with my colleagues to advocate for the Croatian community.”

“San Pedro is considered the heart of the Croatian American community in Los Angeles and home to the largest Croat population on the West Coast. I am honored to represent such a strong community that has contributed to the vibrancy and development of California’s 44^th Congressional District in Congress,” said Rep. Barragán. “I am proud to relaunch the Congressional Croatian Caucus as its Co-chair with my colleagues and will continue to advocate for the interests of the Croatian community in my district.”

“With its rich history, vibrant culture, and strategic location, Croatia plays a vital role in the region and beyond,” said Rep. Tenney. “Croatia holds a special place in my heart, and I am honored to be named Vice Chair of this caucus alongside my colleagues. By re-establishing the Congressional Croatian Caucus, we aim to strengthen the ties that bind our two nations, promote cooperation in various areas of mutual interest, and foster a deeper relationship between the U.S. and Croatia. Together, we will work to promote the welfare and interests of Croatians while providing a voice for the vibrant Croatian diaspora.”

“Croatia is an incredible partner and ally with the United States, and Croatian Americans have made incredible contributions to our country,” said Rep, Dan Kildee. “In Congress, I will continue to look for ways to strengthen the relationship between Croatia and the United States.”

“The Croatian American community is very grateful that so many congressional members belong to our caucus and are interested in issues that affect the Republic of Croatia and the Southeast Europe region. We especially want to thank the four leaders of our caucus led by Rep. David Joyce (OH) and Rep. Nanette Barragan (CA) and with newly added Vice-Chairs Rep. Claudia Tenney (NY) and Rep. Dan Kildee (MI) for their support of this congressional coalition,” said Steve Rukavina, President of the National Federation of Croatian Americans Cultural Foundation.

For more, check out our lifestyle section.

May 27, 2023 - Budapest: The Croatian U-17 national team played 1:1 with the Netherlands in the last match of Group D of the U-17 European Championship, which is taking place in Hungary.

Photo: Slobodan Kadić

Robert Jarni's team finished the competition in third place, behind England and Switzerland, and missed the quarterfinals. Before the draw with the Dutch, the young Croatian national team lost to England (0:1) and Switzerland (1:2).

Photo: Slobodan Kadić

"Like in the first two games, we had more chances. We knew how the Netherlands played, and we had great counterattacks, but unfortunately, we weren't as precise as the others. We had to rotate, but everything went very well. These guys must be seen, attitude, and thinking; I hope everyone will find their way.

Photo: Slobodan Kadić

Now a new generation follows, which also has a lot of potential, but time will tell. After that, it is up to the boys to work; without desire and will to work, there is nothing - Jarni concluded.

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