April the 17th, 2022 - A touch of Croatian maritime heritage visited the charming French town of Marseille this month, showcasing the rich history of sailing and seafaring in Croatia as the only foreign guest present.

As Morski/Dora Cukusic writes, as an honorary and in this case the only foreign guest, the Republic of Croatia participated in the Ecsale festival, and the Marseillan, Palagruza and Cronaves Associations presented the richness of Croatian maritime heritage with their programme.

The Marseilles Sea Festival ran from April the 8th to the 10th, 2022, and brought together a dozen participants representing their traditional ships and crafts, representatives of local wine, cheese and oyster producers, all accompanied by music, a travelling trio from Calabria and a Marseille brass band.

Marion Vindel from the office of the Mayor of Marseille said that she was very glad that Croatia came and participated, and especially praised the shipbuilding workshops of the Palagruza Association which brought Croatian maritime heritage and history to life.

''Given that this is a new festival, it was challenging to organise everything, but we're extremely glad to have been able to host our very first foreign guests. These shipbuilding workshops aroused great interest among the youngest inhabitants of Marseille and the surrounding villages. The Palagruza Association held a gundula construction workshop led by Teo Lovric, the children assembled a gundula during the workshop and acquired some basic knowledge of shipbuilding, and were especially pleased when one such gundula sailed through the Port of Marseille.

The Palagruza Association found a traditional vessel known as a gundula which was about a hundred years old in Komiza, made by the first owner of a fish processing factory, Mardesic. The heirs of the vessel kept the gundula for years, and the Palagruza Association documented the boat and constructed replicas on which children can learn more about shipbuilding and rowing.

In addition to the gundula, the Palagruza Association also brought a sandula, a traditional type of fishing boat which is 4-5 metres long and with slightly sloping sides and a flat bottom, which was used for sailing and fishing near Komiza bay. The Palgruza Association equipped the sandula vessel with a sail, and as part of the workshops and the overall presentation in Marseille, its sail was raised.

Visitors to the festival were also able enjoy the exhibitions of photographs by Croats Velmir Besic and Boris Kragic, which got them even better acquainted with the richness of Croatian maritime heritage. Another interesting feature of this French festival was the competition in the opening of oysters, in which a member of the Palagruza Association, Mate Stanojevic, tried his hand.

It was impressive to see the Tourmente barge whose crew turned the interior of a ship into an exhibition space and a bar for tasting local products. A Junk, a Chinese wooden sailing ship with four masts, also attracted plenty of attention.

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ZAGREB, 17 April 2022 - Ukrainian Ambassador to Croatia Vasyl Kyrylych and Lika-Senj County head Ernest Petry met in Gospić on Sunday with representatives of the services providing for refugees from Ukraine, thanking everyone, and participated in an Easter lunch with Ukrainian families at Hotel Ana.

The level of reception of Ukrainians in Lika (region) is high in every respect and refugee children go to school there, the ambassador said. It is not just nice words and gestures, but the friendly and family reception of refugees from Ukraine due to the Russian aggression, he added.

"The strongest word I bring you is thanks. I can confirm that Ukrainians in Croatia, in Osijek, in Lika and elsewhere, have been welcomed warmly, which makes us happy because in this sad moment of cries it means a lot to receive such a hand of support as the refugees are receiving from Croatia," the ambassador said.

There are more than 600 Ukrainian refugees in Lika-Senj County and nearly 700 have passed through the reception centre in Gospić. Some of them have been accommodated in Karlovac County.

Forty-nine refugees have been accommodated in Gospić's Hotel Ana and another 97 elsewhere in the town.

Prefect Petry said the county was prepared to take in more refugees, "depending on the need of the Ukrainian population." To date, he added, 15 Ukrainians have found employment.

Andrii Melnychenko, the father of a family with four children, said they felt at home in Gospić because Croatians "have welcomed us beautifully, with a big heart."

He said their 11-month-old daughter had to be taken to Zagreb for an emergency operation and was now doing fine. "I am forever grateful that we received this help, for free even and of great quality."

On his and the behalf of all Ukrainian refugees in Gospić, whether Orthodox or Greek Catholic, he said they all prayed to the same God for peace, peace and family happiness.

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ZAGREB, 17 April 2022 - Almost 1,000 Ukrainian children have been enrolled in Croatian kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, and their biggest problem is the language, but they are mastering Croatian quickly so as to integrate into the new environment as well as possible

Of the 983 children who have arrived in Croatia due to the war in Ukraine, 838 have been enrolled in primary, 64 in secondary schools, and 80 in kindergartens.

To date, 116 elementary school pupils have been enrolled in 42 Zagreb schools, 91 in 30 schools in Split-Dalmatia County, 81 in schools in Lika-Senj County, 73 in 22 schools in Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, and 67 in schools Varaždin County.

Speaking to Hina, Dražena Aračić, headmistress of a primary school in Korenica, Lika-Senj County where 55 Ukrainian children have been enrolled, said everything was being done so they could fit as well as possible in curricular and extracurricular activities and feel welcome first and foremost.

She said they were traumatised by war and separated from their families, so the education ministry approved the school's request to hire a counsellor.

Goranka Štefančić, headmistress of a primary school in Varaždinske Toplice, Varaždin County with 20 Ukrainian pupils, said they had assimilated very well and that one could not see that they came from a war zone.

The school's teachers have taken a free online course in Ukrainian, she told Hina, adding that as of 16 March the Ukrainian pupils are fully included in regular classes, and that numerous donors have provided them with the things they need for school.

Davor Juriša, headmaster of a primary school in Kraljevica, Primorje-Gorski Kotar County which has nine Ukrainian pupils, said that in preparing for their arrival, the school consulted with representatives of the Red Cross and other relevant institutions so that integration could be as simple as possible.

Other pupils have welcomed them very well, he told Hina.

All three principals said the biggest barrier in the integration of Ukrainian pupils was the Croatian language. Aračić said it was a little easier for those who spoke English, but added that they were learning Croatian pretty quickly.

Štefanić said learning Croatian was held every day for two hours at her school and that the pupils were making quick progress.

Due to the situation, the school allows pupils to use mobile phones during classes so they can use translation apps in order to communicate, she added.

At the Kraljevica school, Ukrainian pupils learn Croatian twice a week.

In order to further their integration, Ukrainian children are included in extracurricular activities, from art workshops and learning other languages to sports.

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ZAGREB, 17 April 2022 - After attending Easter mass on Sunday, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković wished a happy Easter to everyone, notably to the displaced Ukrainians who were at the service.

"This is a time when we can all together examine in peace what we do, our actions, our decisions, try and collect our thoughts and be even better, towards others, towards those most in need," he said.

"I'm pleased that the displaced from Ukraine were also at mass today, mainly mothers with their children, which once again speaks to how big the tragedy is which this Easter and for more than 50 days now has befallen the Ukrainian people. That's why I'm pleased that Croatia is once again showing a big heart and giving great support to the Ukrainian people and those who, in these difficult circumstances, have found a temporary home in Croatia," the prime minister said.

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ZAGREB, 17 April 2022 - Celebrating Easter mass on Sunday, the Archbishop of Zagreb, Cardinal Josip Bozanić, called on the faithful to stand ready to help, notably displaced persons from Ukraine, and said "the future does not belong to thugs."

We are called upon not to be closed in ourselves, to build a world of unity and solidarity against discouragement and selfishness, the cardinal said.

He recalled philosopher Max Horkheimer's statement that one should refuse to accept a reality according to which the executioner is always right in relation to his victim.

"The future does not belong to violence, that is the deep point of Easter," Bozanić said.

Today we are praying for all our needs, for the homeland, for world peace, and primarily for peace in Ukraine, he said, adding that peace is necessary to those attacked as well as to the attackers, and mostly to the instigators and commanders.

"Let's continue to stand ready to help charitably, notably in taking in the displaced. Our recent experience of war, suffering and exile strengthens our openness for generosity. We deeply believe that innocent victims will bring a blessing to those who in these weeks have been going through an ordeal unworthy of man."

Bozanić concluded his sermon by quoting the Blessed Alojzije Stepinac, who said in the Zagreb Cathedral on 13 April 1941 that peace was one of Christ's most beautiful gifts after the resurrection. The relevance of his words is a strong message for our times, he said.

The mass was attended by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, Veterans Minister Tomo Medved, Interior Minister Davor Božinović, Culture Minister Nina Obuljen Koržinek, and Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman as well as, according to Bozanić, a group of refugees from Ukraine.

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ZAGREB, 17 April 2022 - In the last 24 hours, 382 coronavirus cases, out of 2,228 tests, and ten related deaths have been registered in Croatia, the national COVID-19 crisis management team said on Sunday.

There are 4,745 active cases, including 477 hospitalised patients, of whom 24 are on ventilators, while 2,742 persons are self-isolating.

To date, 59.46% of the total population representing 70.73% of adults, has been vaccinated against the virus, including 68.64% of adults who have been fully vaccinted.

April 17, 2022 – Good news coming from eastern Croatia, with trends showing an increased interest of domestic tourists in the golden fields, fiery stews, and the sweetest wines of Slavonia.

As hrv.hr writes, last year's trend of increasing the number of overnight stays in eastern Croatia continues this year as well.

According to the Vukovar-Srijem County Tourist Board (TZ VSŽ) for the first three months of this year, the number of overnight stays in this part of Croatia increased by more than 40 percent compared to the same period last year.

Most of the guests are domestic tourists who have had a positive impact on the county's tourist results with their arrivals and overnight stays, and it is evident that their interest in the eastern part of Croatia is finally stable and growing.

According to the director of the Vukovar-Srijem County Tourist Board, Rujana Bušić Srpak, the results of the first quarter, but also the whole of last year, show that tourism can be maintained even in crises such as a pandemic.

“It is important to emphasize that the survival of tourism in the continental part of Croatia should be credited to domestic guests. They are in our focus, and they are the ones who can maintain the tourist movement even in crises, revive the tourist potential, and stimulate the domestic economy. The majority of our guests come from Croatia, and almost half of them are from Zagreb and the Zagreb County”, says Rujana Bušić Srpak, adding that in the wave of current price increases, the county still has affordable prices and provides excellent value for money.

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April 17, 2022 - Although Croatia practically qualified for the 2023 World Handball Championships after beating Finland earlier in the week, they confirmed their spot in Sweden and Poland next year with another victory in the return match in Varaždin on Saturday night. 

Croatia defeated Finland 21:34 in the first match of the 2nd round of qualifications for the 2023 World Championships and played the return match in Varaždin on Saturday, winning 36:22. The most efficient player was Marino Marić with 7 goals. Filip Glavaš added 6, Marin Jelinić 4, Halil Jaganjac and Tin Lučin 3 each, and Domagoj Duvnjak, Igor Karačić, Veron Načinović, Luka Cindrić, Davor Ćavar and Luka Lovre Klarica 2 each. Leon Šušnja scored one goal. Matej Mandić recorded 8 saves and Marin Šego recorded 5 in goal. 

With another convincing victory, Croatia sends a message to the handball world that it is back on track and ready for new challenges. Coach Hrvoje Horvat had another opportunity to test out some of the young forces that have had to jump in after a series of injuries. Thus, Luka Lovre Klarica, Mateo Maraš, Veron Načinović, Dominik Kuzmanović, or Matej Mandić will get playing time with Croatia again.

Croatia has never missed the World Championships. Croatia's first appearance was 22 years ago in Iceland in 1995, when they won the silver medal. Croatia went on to win four medals after that - one gold (Portugal 2003), two silver (Tunisia 2005, Croatia 2009), and one bronze (Spain 2013). The 2023 World Championships in Sweden and Poland will be their 15th appearance, and as Croatia, Denmark, and Norway will host the 2025 World Championships, Croatia has already qualified for their 16th tournament. 

Interestingly, Croatia has also never lost at the Varaždin Arena. They played in the 2012 Olympic qualifiers there for the first time and recorded three victories: Japan 36:22, Chile 35:15, Iceland 31:28. The last performance was in the qualifications for the European Championship 2016 against Norway when Željko Babić was on the bench. Croatia celebrated 31:25. 

The World Championships are scheduled for January 11 to 29, 2023, and will feature 32 national teams. Hosts Poland and Sweden, world champions Denmark and France, Spain, Norway, Belgium, Bahrain, Qatar. Iran, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Chile, and South Korea have already qualified. 

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