May 3, 2022 - Dump Days 2022 returns on May 14 and 15 at the FESB in Split, bringing together the technological giants of the Croatian IT scene. 

The DUMP Days conference, organized by members of the DUMP Association of Young Developers, has brought together the technological giants of the Croatian IT scene for six years. The free student conference will be held on May 14 and 15 at the FESB, and this year brings even more opportunities to share knowledge and experiences while networking.

"Finally, we return to the standard edition of the conference, which will be held live, but this time with 32 leading IT companies with offices in Croatia and more content than all previous editions. This May, FESB will once again become the center of the Croatian IT scene," said Nino Borović, conference organizer and vice president of the DUMP Association of Young Developers.

In addition to world-renowned sponsors, including Blank, Extension Engine, Photomath, and Rimac Technology, the conference will be joined by several prominent speakers who will cover the latest trends in tech, development, design, and marketing. Practical workshops are a unique opportunity to get acquainted with the most modern technologies and techniques used in the profession.

Ilija Brajković, Executive Director of Kontra Digital Agency and a lecturer at last year's DUMP Days, has only words of praise for the young organizers: “Regardless of the situation, the Association created a top conference. Excellent preparation, communication, and top support before and after the lecture make each lecturer's job much easier. In addition, the quality of the lectures and the content, in general, was top notch."

The sponsorship stands of the companies are open to all visitors and are located in the atrium of the faculty. Those seriously looking for a job in IT should sign up for Fly Talks. Short-speed dating interviews are ideal for presenting yourself and your resumes to employers! In addition to Fly Talks, there are also Campfire Talks, a mini panel discussion between several professionals and the audience.

“When the organization of a tech event is approached with professionalism that, due to such capacity, exceeds one hundred percent, the result is always spectacular, memorable, and contagious with positivity, knowledge, and expertise. So I'm coming again - and you as you wish," added Dragan Petric, IT expert and editor-in-chief of the BUG web portal magazine, who has participated in DUMP Days several times, and this year is leading a panel discussion.

On the second day of the conference, the prize draw winners will be announced. All participants who sign up for the DUMP Days app and collect points can take part in the hunt for valuable prizes such as Quest 2 VR, a drone, smartwatch, headphones and much more.

The conference doors are open to anyone who wants to step into the business world. Log on to days.dump.hr and join the new generation.

Text by Ian Paligorić, photos by Josip Svalina

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

May the 3rd, 2022 - Three Croatian regions in different parts of the country are set to get their hands on as much as 506 million kuna in the name of pushing the green and digital transition forward.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, the three Croatian regions of Pannonian Croatia, Northern and Adriatic Croatia will receive a separate allocation of 506 million euros for further investments in green and digital transition of their local economies, as was announced on Friday the Minister of Regional Development and EU Funds, Natasa Tramisak, at the opening the Conference on Industrial Transition of Croatian Regions held at the Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences in Osijek.

Back in December 2020, the Ministry of Regional Development and European Union (EU) Funds began the process of industrial transition of NUTS 2 Croatian regions, which includes Adriatic, Northern and Pannonian Croatia. Namely, these regions are significantly below the EU development average and have the potential to strengthen their respective competitiveness by using the opportunities offered by global trends to revive economic growth and increase overall productivity.

The transition will be implemented with the help of European Union funds under the new Integrated Territorial Programme, which provides for the allocation of 506 million euros, which will be available only to enterprises owners and businessmen from the aforementioned three Croatian regions.

"We're completing the process of approving operational programmes, of which the plans for the industrial transition of Croatian regions for the period 2021-2027 are an integral part," added Tramisak.

Croatia's more obvious shift at least towards the digital transition occurred primarily as a result of the global coronavirus pandemic which saw very many ''in person'' errands quickly made available online, and more and more can be done administratively from the comfort of the home thanks to the popular e-Citizens (e-Gradjani) portal. That said, Croatia is still very much behind the times in many of these aspects, hence the cash injections aimed at improving this quickly as part of the EU's wider goals as a bloc.

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

May the 3rd, 2022 - A brand new Zagreb cinema is on the horizon, much to the delight of the capital's many lovers of the big screen. The new Zagreb cinema will also boast novelties including a modern gaming hall.

As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, CineStar cinemas are present in 11 cities at 15 locations across the Republic of Croatia, and as of May the 12th this year, the new CineStar in the Z Centre in Zagreb, the first in the western part of the city, will be added to the apparently growing list. CineStar will continue to nurture the concept of being a so-called ''destination cinema'' in the Spansko district, meaning that this new Zagreb cinema will offer visitors a variety of content, some of which will be entirely exclusive.

In addition to technological superiority, which includes Harkness screens, Barco RGB laser projectors, JBl speakers and Crown audio amplifiers, the interior of the new Zagreb cinema boasts the signatues of well known designers Franic & Sekoranja. The modern multiplex will have a total of six cinemas, including 3D halls. There will also be a WOW bar with a coffee terrace and two birthday party areas, and this cinema will also be the first in the entire region to have a multifunctional cinema, meaning a gaming hall is included.

The up and coming CineStar Z Centre will also be the first cinema in all of Zagreb to have Royal beds for two, made of leather, with tables for storing food and drinks and wireless chargers for mobile phones.

"We believe that with this project, we will be able to raise the bar of cinema experience in Zagreb again. Recent years have been difficult for our industry, and our pride is even greater that during the coronavirus pandemic we managed to complete our investments regionally and open up some beautiful cinemas in Belgrade, Sarajevo and finally this one in Zagreb,'' said Jadranka Islamovic, CEO and member of Blitz-CineStar.

As part of the investment cycle that Blitz-CineStar has been implementing since its founding way back in 2003 until today, the CineStar Cinemas Group in Croatia and the region has 27 multiplexes, with 167 digital halls and over 25,000 seats.

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

May the 3rd, 2022 - One of the most common questions one tends to read on expat groups small and large from up and down the country from residents of Croatia nearing the golden five year mark of temporary residence is Do I need to pass a Croatian language test for permanent residence? 

Understandably, this question is usually bombarded with answers from different people from across the world who have residence based on all sorts of different reasons, from marriage to druge svrhe (other purposes) and everything in between, all of whom were approached differently by the authorities.

What Zdenka at the desk in Rijeka says to someone applying who happens to have a Croatian (or indeed Austro-Hungarian) distant relative and what Mirna at Petrinjska in Zagreb says to someone applying based on family reunification will likely be very different. So, let's get to the point. Do you need to take a Croatian language test for permanent residence? The answer is sometimes yes, sometimes no. Helpful, I know. Let's look into who has to take it and who doesn't.

EEA/EU/EFTA citizens

If you hold the citizenship of a European Union, European Economic Area or European Free Trade Association Area country, you do not need to take a Croatian language test for permanent residence. Pure and simple.

The EFTA countries are Iceland, Norway, the Principality of Liechtenstein and Switzerland, none of which are EU or EEA member states or part of the Customs Union and negotiate trade deals separately to the EU, but which do enjoy a similar free trade agreement with the European Union.

Third country citizens

Third country citizens or nationals are individuals who don't hold the citizenship of an EU, EEA or EFTA country. These people typically do need to sit a Croatian language test for permanent residence. The language test is at the B1 level and includes understanding, reading, writing, speaking and perhaps the worst of all for anyone who has spent time around the Croatian language - grammar. 

If you pass this test, you'll be presented with a certificate from any of the education institutes which run these tests which you can then take to MUP as part of your permanent residence application. A list of such institutes running the tests can be found on MUP's website so that you can pick and contact the one closest to your address.

Exceptions for third country citizens

You do not need to take a Croatian language test for permanent residence if you're 65 or over and are unemployed, if you're of pre-school age, or if you've already completed your compulsory (mandatory) primary and/or secondary in Croatia, or if you've completed higher education here.

Citizens of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland who had legal residence in Croatia before the 31st of December, 2020

British citizens who had legal residence in Croatia before the 31st of January 2020 and who as such fall into the category of those who are protected by the Withdrawal Agreement do not need to take a Croatian language test for permanent residence.

British nationals were once also EU citizens, and as such had the rights to freedom of movement, one of the fundamental pillars of the European Union, until the 31st of December, 2020, when the UK's transition period out of the bloc ended. Those British nationals who held temporary or permanent residence before the UK's withdrawal from the bloc, more precisely before the end of its transition period, are protected and have acquired rights in Croatia. Their residence status and rights are unaffected.

That said, they did need to apply for a new residence document which demonstrates their protected status before the end of June, 2021. British citizens who are in this category who have not yet got their new document can still do so and their rights will not be affected, but they may face a small administrative fine for not having made the application before the specified date. The application for the new document is not a new residence application, but merely a demonstration to MUP that you are owed it. If you already held permanent residence in Croatia before the end of the UK's transition period, this will be an extremely easy exercise.

Citizens of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland who did not hold legal residence in Croatia before the 31st of December, 2020

If you're British and didn't exercise your right to free movement across the EU before the aforementioned date, you fall under the category of a third country national and as such need to take a Croatian language test for permanent residence.

Those married to Croatian citizens

If you're an EU/EEA/EFTA citizen married to a Croatian citizen and are applying for permanent residence (which in this case can now be applied for after four years as opposed to five), you do not need to take a Croatian language test for permanent residence based entirely on your own nationality which affords you certain rights in Croatia.

If you're a third country national married to a Croatian citizen and are applying for permanent residence (which is also now after four years in your case, too, not five), you may be asked to take a test, and you may not be. I realise how unhelpful that is, but people have vastly different experiences when it comes to this depending on when they've applied, where they live (and as such which administrative police station they've used), and quite frankly, what side of the bed the clerk woke up on that morning.

For more on nationality and residence in Croatia, keep up with our lifestyle section.

May 3, 2022 - The first gay bar in Dubrovnik will open its doors on Saturday, May 7! 

Ever since it was announced that 'Milk,' the first gay bar in Dubrovnik, will be located on Marojice Kaboge Street in the historic center, there has been a lot of buzz. The comments are mostly positive, which is not surprising when Dubrovnik has long been known as a gay-friendly city. Among the shortcomings, Dubrovnik lacks somewhere the LGBT population could gather, reports Slobodna Dalmacija. 

Enter Milk, opening this Saturday in Dubrovnik at 8 pm, with an offer that will be more diverse than other bars in the city.

"The name was inspired by Harvey Milk, an American politician and activist who fought for the rights of gays. Milk is the first public homosexual to be elected to public office in California or San Francisco. After all, the name is effective and easy to remember for both locals and foreigners," explains the co-owner of Dubrovnik's first gay bar, Vicko Lazo.

Due to limited space and narrow and dead-end streets, approximately 150 people will be invited to attend the opening. As Vicko Lazo points out, the program will be started by cellist Ana Rucner, and the main performer will be a surprise. 

"We won't reveal everything. It will be a music and dance spectacle. This official part of the program lasts until 9:30 pm when the facility opens to the public," says Lazo and notes:

"This bar is intended for the LGBT community. It is designed that way, and we stick to the plan and profile ourselves as a gay bar. Many ask if heterosexuals are welcome? Everyone who spreads love and tolerance and has good intentions without any prejudices and condemnations is welcome because 'Milk' is a place that spreads freedom, love, and happiness."

Asked how the opening of the first official gay bar in Dubrovnik and Dalmatia has aroused so much public interest, Lazo said:

"At the moment, we are mostly focused on the opening and the program, so we are not even aware of how many people are talking about it and how they anticipate the opening. Incredible! The comments of the younger population are mostly positive, and some people find it difficult to accept. We are different, so our views are so different. One should not enter into it or condemn it, but respect everyone's right to their own opinion."

In addition to professional staff and signature cocktails, DJs will enhance the mood every night. Various themed parties will be organized, including drag queen performances, as an artistic expression to bar performances.

Since caterers are struggling to find a workforce, which is especially pronounced this season, the co-owner of Milk commented on their status:

"It was not a problem; we even had to make a selection. Open-minded people know that the gay population brings good and quality guests. Many girls have contacted us for work, so the team is mixed; there are both women and men."

He points out that the restaurant looks superb and has been renovated and refurbished in record time, in just three months. He emphasizes that one of the owners, Dubrovnik caterer Tomislav Ivušić, is most responsible for the design and details in the space, along with two top architects.

"We put a lot into the design, and it looks great. The best London members club, "Annabel's" by the famous architect Martin Brudnizki was our starting point, so this space is dominated by mirrors, velvet, colorful flowers, animal patterns - and that's just part of the details.

In this whole story, we mainly focused on air conditioning and ventilation where it is not intended for smoking, especially the sound system, sound insulation, and lighting," says Ivušić, who decided on this business move because he does not doubt its success. He revealed how he came up with the idea and finally brought it to life. 

"On one occasion, I heard a guest comment, "whoever opens a gay bar in Dubrovnik will make it," and I did not immediately attach importance. On one occasion, Vicko said that such a bar is lacking in the city, which is a favorite of the gay population.

After all, it is surprising how many members of the LGBT community visit Dubrovnik even out of season. I also have gay friends who often say that we don't have a gay bar. Through talking to business partners, we concluded, “let’s open a gay bar.” Everything else is history," says Ivušić and continues:

"Now, so many people come to me and say, "I thought about this 5-10 years ago", and they probably did - but they did not dare to make it happen. I believe that when a man is confident in what he is, in his sexual orientation, there is no reason to be afraid of anything else.

All those men who spit talk about it with contempt and fear; more and more, I think they’re not sure about themselves and their sexuality. Maybe they are afraid that they will not like it," the Dubrovnik caterer said.

He adds that it was necessary to renovate the space, equip the premises and find staff, and now it is up to colleagues to do the work. He also mentions that they asked the City to rent the public space in front of the bar, which is at the end of the dead-end, but they are still waiting for an answer.

So, what is expected of Dubrovnik's exclusive gay bar? Ivušić answered briefly - "a good season."

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

May 3, 2022 - At the biggest sporting event in Međimurje's history, 6,500 fans from all over the world cheered for their favorite motorcycle riders at the sold-out Millennium Stadium in Donji Kraljevec for the Tehnix FIM Speedway Grand Prix of Croatia.

After 23 runs, the best was Bartosz Zmarzlik from Poland, two-time world champion and runner-up for 2021!

After the final qualification race for the World Championship was held at the Millennium Stadium for two years, Međimurje hosted 16 of the best riders in the world last weekend. The wild card went to the best Slovenian driver Matej Žagar, the winner of these qualifications. The two reserves were domestic riders from Slovenia and Hungary, Nick Škorja and Dennis Fazekas.

Twelve days of construction, 14 production trucks, four television houses, and the work of almost 200 members of the production and organizational team culminated in a painting of Međimurje to the world. Over 40 countries broadcasted the first World Speedway Championship race, TEHNIX FIM SPEEDWAY GRAND PRIX OF CROATIA.

Doyle, Holder, Dudek, and Lambert faced off in the first run, and the first victory of the evening went to Lambert, whose pre-season training in Croatia paid off. Nick Škorja got on the track in the third run to the delight of almost a thousand Slovenian fans when the Danish driver Anders Thomsen started too early and tore the starting line.

“This was one of the best Grand Prix races ever. The riders took advantage of every inch of the track, and we witnessed the spectacular rides of the best in the world! The organization of such an event is very complex and exhaustive, especially because this was the first race for the promoter after they took over the license from FIM. Nevertheless, we gave our best, and I think it was visible to every viewer live and on television. We are honored and proud to have organized the biggest event in the history of Međimurje and Croatian motorcycling," said race director Darija Pavlic.

Matej Žagar was extremely combative as a wild card and ended the evening with third place in the second semifinal run. Great rides launched him into an elite group of just 11 riders in the history of the Grand Prix competition, with over 1000 points won.

"Thank you to the organizer for the invitation. It is a great honor to ride on a track that I know well and where the atmosphere is always special. I feel at home and thank the whole Pavlic family and the club for their hospitality. Great track and organization, which is why I hope that the Grand Prix tradition will continue here," said Matej Žagar after the race.

To the delight of hundreds of Polish fans and the crowded Millennium Stadium, the winner of the race was Polish rider and multiple world champion Bartosz Zmarzlik!

"It feels great, even though I'm tired. We had the Polish league on Friday, covered over 1,000 kilometers, and arrived just in time for training," said Zmarzlik. "At the beginning, I felt a bit insecure on this track, but after four runs, everything was sorted. I am happy to have won tonight. The trail in Donji Kraljevec is short, I didn't feel safe in the corners at first, but after we warmed up, everything was great."

Maciej Janowski finished second, ninth in the qualifications and was the second-best before the semifinals:

“I felt great from the beginning of training. We hit some issues with the engine, maybe it was not seen in the qualifications, but when we got to the race, everything went well."

European champion Mikkel Michelsen opened his season on this track at a training camp with the Danish national team:

"I am happy the season started with entering the finals. Of course, you always want to win when you get that chance, but the season is long, we are collecting points, and I am satisfied with the race!"

The award for the first place was presented to Bartosz Zmarzlik by the State Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Sports Sandra Herman, the award for the second place to Maciej Janowski was presented by the Deputy Director of FIM, World Motorcycle Federation Damiano Zamana, and the award for the third place was presented by Tehnix Eko industry Željko Horvat.

Francois Ribeiro, director of Discovery Sports Events, owner of the rights to organize Speedway Grand Prix races for the next ten years, also watched the race from the stands:

"I’m sure thousands of fans enjoyed the great speedway. Our goal was to offer additional experience through LED screens, fan zones, and new statistics. We are all looking forward to the next race in Warsaw on May 14."

Photos by Marko Kis

To read more about sports in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

May 3, 2022 - The latest flight news to Croatia as Trade Air domestic routes are currently suspended. The Croatian passenger and cargo charter airline is awaiting a new PSO contract which should have them up and running again in June. 

Croatian private airline Trade Air made its final rotations on domestic PSO routes on Friday (April 29). The interruption was because the PSO program has expired, reports Croatian Aviation. 

The Croatian private airline has operated on domestic routes for years as part of the PSO program on the following routes:

Osijek - Zagreb - Osijek,

Osijek - Pula - Split - Pula - Osijek,

Osijek - Rijeka - Osijek,

Rijeka - Split - Dubrovnik - Split - Rijeka.

The lines operated throughout the year with the same number of rotations. However, at the end of April, the contract expired, and on Friday, April 29, Trade Air operated the last rotations from and to Osijek.

The interruption is due to the fact that the competent Ministry has yet to announce the winner of the new PSO program (signing a new four-year contract), so it was expected that the airline would not continue operations when the winner is still unknown. 

Trade Air should resume domestic traffic this summer season and introduce a line between Osijek and Zadar and Zadar and Rijeka, but only after concluding a contract with the competent authorities.

The 19-seat L-410 aircraft owned by the Czech Van Air operated on Trade Air routes. The new four-year contract should provide a higher capacity aircraft on domestic routes. According to the latest information, operations should resume in June.

The PSO program in the Republic of Croatia is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of the Sea, Transport, and Infrastructure. PSOs are in place to make European funds available for unprofitable, primarily domestic routes which are vital for the economic development of the region they serve, reports Ex Yu Aviation back in 2020. Croatian Aviation has sent an inquiry related to this topic, but has yet to receive a response.

TCN CEO Paul Bradbury recently wrote about his experience flying with Trade Air from Dubrovnik to Osijek via Split and Rijeka.  

"The PSO service is an excellent initiative and vital link for communities (even more so with Jadrolinija connecting islands by ferry)."

For more on flights to Croatia and other travel announcements, make sure to check out our dedicated travel section.

May 2, 2022 - Nova TV, the most-watched television station in Croatia, has reached an agreement with Uefa and will continue to broadcast Croatia national team matches for the next six years.

Nova TV will broadcast qualifying matches for the 2024 European Championship, 2026 World Cup qualifiers, 2028 European Championship qualifiers, and 2022, 2024, and 2026 Nations League matches. In addition, football fans will be able to watch all Croatia national team friendly matches on Nova TV, announces HNS.

"On behalf of the Croatian Football Federation, I can express my satisfaction that Nova TV will continue to broadcast Croatia national team matches for the next six years. Nova TV has proven to be a great partner in terms of organization and programming, with many great people working in front of and behind the cameras. The Croatia national team matches are the most-watched program in Croatia, and that is why I congratulate Nova TV for winning the right to broadcast in the coming period. I am convinced that many joint victories await us, to the satisfaction of our fans and viewers of Nova TV," said the President of the Croatian Football Federation, Marijan Kustić.

"We are proud to continue broadcasting the most exciting sports content on Nova TV. It is our honor and responsibility to broadcast the Croatia national team matches and present the content to the viewers in the best possible way. Nova TV, as the strongest multimedia platform, will continue to create additional value, current and attractive content for all viewers of the national team in the next six years through the synergy of television and digital channels," said the President of the Management Board of Nova TV, Dražen Mavrić.

For the new, six-year cycle of national team activities, the sports newsroom of Nova TV is preparing a series of content and graphic news in shows and broadcasting matches. As before, everything will be accompanied by a dynamic display with the latest technology prepared by the multi-award-winning Nova TV team of production graphics.

"Quality preparations and the team are what make the project a success. When a person is part of a team made up of top professionals, even demanding projects such as broadcasting Croatia national team matches are not demanding. What makes producing Croatia national team matches different is the special national charge, pride, and emotions that go to unimaginable or, perhaps better said, immeasurable heights, no matter if it is happiness or sadness. It’s so present in the stadium environment that you can’t stay cool no matter how hard you try to be a cool professional. I am proud to have the opportunity to be a part of this whole story, and that makes me happy, both professionally and humanely, as a fan," said the main producer of the Nova TV news program, Antonio Blašković, who is leading the project's production.

To read more about sports in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page.