Jadran Split Claim First LEN Champions League Win at Home against Dinamo Tbilisi
November 10, 2021 - Water polo club Jadran Split celebrated its first win in the LEN Champions League this season after beating Georgia's Dinamo Tbilisi in the second round on Tuesday night.
The match began similar to when Jadran faced Barcelona in the first round. The opportunities were there, but there were no goals. Dinamo took advantage of that and took the lead with Sarić's goal, but then Bukić took responsibility and equalized to 1:1 in the fourth minute. A minute later, Delić scored and brought Jadran to the first lead of the match (2:1). Sarić equalized for Dinamo at 2:2, and Marinić-Kragić returned Split to the top with a penalty.
In the 11th minute, Jadran finally scored with an extra man. Delić found Dobud, who scored for 5:3. In the 14th minute, Šetka scored with an extra man for the first +3 advantage of the match (7:4). Jadran managed to stop Dinamo's resistance and entered the second quarter up 10:5.
That advantage grew to 12:5 with two goals by captain Šetka in the third quarter. In the end, Dinamo came back from 15:8 to 15:11, slightly mitigating the defeat. At that moment, Jadran coach Mile Smodlaka called for a timeout. Dinamo then further reduced the result to 15:12, with Jadran conceding a series of 4 goals. Dinamo was just two goals behind at 15:13 two minutes before the final whistle.
"I don't know; it's a shame that we allowed it at the end of this game. We need to discuss this amongst each other. Individuals put themselves ahead of the team, and that’s not good. But come on, let this be a warning to us, and maybe something good will come out of this. We started the game well, played properly, and created a great advantage, and then got into that hole," said Mile Smodlaka, Jadran's coach.
Jadran – Dinamo Tbilisi 15:13
(3:2, 7:3, 4:2, 1:6)
Split – Poljud
Spectators: 250.
Referees: Petronilli (Italy), Haentschel (Germany)
Jadran: Podrug, Burić (1), Marinić-Kragić (3), Čagalj, Z. Butić, Pejković (1), Bukić (1), Harkov (1), Delić (1), Dobud (2), Šetka (3), Dužević (2), Anić.
Dinamo Tbilisi: Razmadze, Tešelašvili (1), Dadvani, Imaišvili, Bitadze (1), Jelača (2), Adeišvili, Sarić (3), Giorgadze, Magrakvelidze (2), Vasić (4), Akvlediani, Gvetadze.
Source: Dalmacija Danas
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Pula Fort Center: New Tourist Product to Showcase City's Cultural Heritage
November 10, 2021 - A press conference was held at the Pula Tourist Board to present the activities and new promotional materials created within the Pula Fort Center project as a unique cultural and tourist product.
HRTurizam reports that this project aims to activate the vast potential of the cultural heritage of Pula and, through investment in sustainable use of cultural assets, increase the offer of cultural and educational content and events to benefit all residents of Pula and beyond, indirectly affecting the sustainable development of economy and tourism.
As part of the project, two completely separate spaces - the fortress Kaštel and the Zerostrasse underground tunnel functioned into a single whole. The newly created environment will undoubtedly allow for new content in the cultural offer and a completely new potential for materializing numerous development opportunities in different sectors.
The conference was opened by Ingrid Bulian, Head of the Board for Spatial Planning and Environmental Protection, and project manager Lorena Dropulić on behalf of the City of Pula, who emphasized that the project "Pula Fort Center as a new tourist product" is an excellent example of recognizing the potential that military architecture has as part of Pula's cultural heritage.
This project is an experiential basis and a positive incentive for the further candidacy of projects in the field of cultural heritage, given the potential that Pula has, and we include the Pula fort system, almost inexhaustible for creating a variety of content for today's human, said Bulian and Dropulić, and added:
"The driving force of the project is always people, their efforts and cooperation, so we should emphasize the excellent partnership between the City, PPMI and TZ Pula, where everyone plays their role professionally and dedicatedly, which is evident through the activities and results achieved so far, therefore, the further benefits that will result from the end of the project implementation, and certainly during its operation, should not be questioned."
So far, the Pula Tourist Board has carried out visual identity development activities, a website has been created in 4 languages (https://www.pulafortcenter.com/hr), and a permanent Visualia exhibition that will be turned on for Advent.
Sanja Cinkopan Korotaj, director of the Pula Tourist Board, said that an elevator had been built to access the Kaštel and the History and Maritime Museum of Istria, which provided easier access for elderly tourists. "The primary goal is to increase the number of visitors to Kaštel, which has so far lagged behind other Pula attractions due to its inaccessibility," added Cinkopan Korotaj.
Cinkopan Korotaj presented other planned activities such as the production of promotional material or souvenirs; the plan is to educate tourist guides about the new tourist product, while next year it is planned to promote the project in cities and bring journalists and bloggers from abroad throughout the year, hire animators, organize performances and concerts, all to promote the new tourist product "Pula Fort Center."
Finally, Gracijano Kešac, director of the History and Maritime Museum of Istria - Museo storico e navale dell´Istria, said: “A good part of the fort and tunnel areas are well rehabilitated and protected, and their connection by elevator created a unique cultural destination. After a two-month trial run, which is behind us, we can say with satisfaction that this destination has shown great potential in attracting visitors."
The project will be included in the Advent events in Pula so that the Visitor Center will be conveniently equipped during Advent, and thus Pula Advent will get a new point of interest. Through this project, the Pula Tourist Board will combine historical heritage and modern technologies and introduce tourists to the cultural heritage, a world trend.
For more, make sure to check out our dedicated lifestyle section.
Team 45 Degrees Sailing Takes on Peškafondo 2021
Tuesday, November 9, 2021 - After a COVID-19 instigated break last year, the much-acclaimed Peškafondo 2021 was back to celebrate its 10th year as an international fishing and tourism event.
365 GARIFUL HVAR
Organised by the “365 Gariful Hvar” association, 48 teams entered and competed in the waters of Hvar. Each team was comprised of four members, and registration was 500 kuna for each member. There was also an ongoing opportunity to donate in order to partake of the non-fishing festivities, money that will go to a local charity as chosen by the “365 Gariful Hvar” association. Read more here where Ivan Gospodnetić, owner of the much famed Gariful restaurant, talks to Paul Bradbury about why he started this festival in the first place and how he has watched it grow and evolve over the years.
KICK START CELEBRATIONS
Not having any idea what to expect, we were invited by Ivan via Paul to join in on the festivities and boarded the catamaran to Hvar town on Friday. The program officially started at 1 pm so we decided to catch the 10 am ferry to give us plenty of time to get settled before festivities kicked off. Little did we realise that the Šibenik Klapa group were on the same ferry, and they started things off early, pulling out their instruments and playing for all of us on the ferry. What a great way to kick off the weekend! 
THE SQUID GAMES BEGIN
As the ferry pulled alongside the Hvar Riva, they continued to play as they disembarked the boat, being welcomed warmly by everyone already gathered and set up outside Gariful restaurant. Peškafondo and Big Game Fishing 2021 was off to a great start. Teams began to gather at the tables set up outside the restaurant, everyone was registering, getting their t-shirts, having a warm hearty lunch. The trumpet signaled at 3 pm and was the sign for all of the fishing boats and their teams to head out in search of the desired squid. They would disperse in the waters around Hvar and Pakleni islands and put their lines down hoping for a bountiful catch.
DAY ONE CELEBRATIONS
At 8 pm the boats returned amidst live music and the buzz of dinner beginning, and the catches were weighed and measured in full sight of everyone in attendance. Most teams were pretty successful and it was a great atmosphere for everyone to warm up and wind down after the hours spent out on the boat. The wine and beer were flowing, and the celebrations continued into the night.
DAY TWO BEGINS
The next morning at about 8 am, the big game fishing boats departed the Hvar Riva and spent all day out fishing, in pursuit of the elusive big catch! After another very colourful departure of the squid fishers at 3 pm again, they spent another afternoon out to catch as many squids as they could find. It was a much harder day out, as rain impeded the time out for many, especially those in boats without shelter. Fishing is certainly a sport that is at the mercy of the weather
RAIN, RAIN, RAIN
The rain continued as the days' catches were weighed and measured, and it certainly did not dampen the enthusiasm of the crowd that came out to support their friends and family members. A very wet award ceremony ensued, and it was great to see mixed teams, kids, and families having participated, as everyone came up to receive their prize and/or trophy.
And then the final party began. With the help of more delicious food, drinks, and live music, the vibrant and dynamic festivities continued into the night. An apt way to end the adult portion of a fantastic weekend celebrating the much-esteemed squid, in the quintessentially Dalmatian manner of celebration.
SHOUT OUTS FOR THIS EVENT
We had a couple of take-aways and shoutouts from this event.
AMAZING FOOD
Oh my goodness the food. Warming, fill-your-boots, hearty, nourishing food for a large crowd of people is one thing that Croatians really excel at. And all teams gathered by 365 Gariful Hvar Association totally went above and beyond to ensure that not only did the food taste good, it tasted amazing and it also showcased specific Croatian traditional dishes from a couple of different regions. Like arambaši from Sinj and the famous Skradin risotto! As well as demonstrating how heart-warming and relevant traditional cuisine still is in the setting of modern events and festivities.
Huge vats of slow-cooked meats and seafood wafted incredible smells that led you down the Riva. All chefs were engaging and got involved in the fun, all while they were cooking and serving. They took time out to talk to us and show us what they were cooking. They helped to make the atmosphere bright and warm, despite the persistent rain!
LACK OF RUBBISH
We were also very impressed by the lack of rubbish and the major lack of single-use plastic. Serving plates and utensils were paper and wood, cups were washable and reusable. And the staff working the event were fast, efficient and effective. There was no chance for any rubbish to blow onto the ground or into the sea because it was cleared away so fast. Full carafes of wine and bottles of sparkling water were brought to your table before you even realised that the existing bottles were running low. It was an incredibly clean, well-organised environment, which is an awesome achievement in normal circumstances and especially so given the incessant wet weather.
HIGH ENERGY ATMOSPHERE
The music was great. Even though it was all in Croatian, based on the enthusiasm from everyone else around us, they were clearly playing popular and classic Croatian songs. And we loved the variety. From the homespun acoustic style of the Šibenik Klapa to the powerful seasoned performance of Indira Vladić (Levak), it was all upbeat, enormously engaging, and great fun to be in the midst of.
The atmosphere was just great. The various elements, the music, the food, the staff, the logistics going on throughout the weekend, they all added up to a really enjoyable, wholesome event.
ALL-INCLUSIVE
We also loved the fact that you don’t have to be out on a fishing boat to enjoy this event. In addition to the 500 kuna fee to register as a member of a team on a fishing boat, you could also donate and participate in the on-land parts of the event. Which were aplenty! Everyone felt included no matter your age, nationality, or fishing and squid catching skills, or total lack of! This was especially true on Sunday, which was Kids Day. Complete with bouncy castles, balloons, games, and activities, thank goodness the sun came out to shine down upon what felt like the whole of Hvar and their kids! The sound of delight, laughter, and joy filled the main square of Hvar.
Given that we were non-Croatian-speaking foreigners who knew very little about the event and pretty much knew no one at this event, we felt very welcome and included. We had the opportunity to meet some of the fishermen, many of whom also work in the marine tourism industry. We enjoyed chatting with the chefs as they described what they were cooking for us. As well as making some awesome connections with individuals from other areas of Croatia, like Monika from Sinj (see her article here).
All in all, this was an event that we have heard nothing about during our five-year stay in Croatia. And now we have been, we can’t stop talking about it!
I think Ivan from Restaurant Gariful put it well when he said “I can't describe the happiness I feel knowing Peškafondo is no longer just about Hvar, it's becoming something that can be about all of Croatia.”
If you’re looking for an “authentic” experience in 2022 or beyond, this is one event you really need to check out. We highly recommend this event to any foreigners and Digital Nomads who find themselves in Croatia once the summer crowds have gone and are looking for real local events to take part in. This is all of those things in spades.
If you have questions on anything sailing in Croatia, feel free to ask below in the comments or check out Total Croatia, Sailing in Croatia: Your One-Stop-Shop for everything sailing.
If you’re looking for a little more history around this event read Paul Bradbury’s interview with Ivan ‘Gariful’ Gospodnetić here: Celebrating 10 year of Peškafondo.
For more on the programme and reflections on the last ten years of Peskafondo, read Squid Games on Hvar.
Opposition Party Proposes Downsizing 21 Counties to 5 Regions and City of Zagreb
ZAGREB, 9 November, 2021 - The Centre party's leader Ivica Puljak and parliamentary deputy Dalija Orešković on Tuesday presented the party's programme for the territorial reorganisation of Croatia, proposing that the current 21 counties be tailored into five regions and the City of Zagreb.
Orešković said that if the number of counties were reduced by four times, the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) would have four times less opportunity to engage in corruption.
The two officials said that their plan also envisaged the reduction of the present number of 556 cities and municipalities to 122 urban agglomerations.
They said that the current territorial organisation did not serve the interests of the general public but only the interests of the current political elites and structures that keep the HDZ alive.
Puljak also called for the opposition to unite and topple the HDZ from power as the best demographic measure.
On COVID certificates
Asked by the press about the introduction of COVID certificates for access to state and public institutions, Orešković said that all should be united in efforts to reach the common goal - the reduction of COVID numbers.
She called for defusing tensions in society regarding this issue.
It is necessary to make balanced remarks and take into account the protection of personal liberties and rights and the balance between different branches of government, Orešković said.
Orešković said that members of Parliament should not be subject to different rules than the rest of the people. However, Parliament must remain a place where each MP, regardless of their political ideology and mindset, can express their opinions, regardless of whether one agree with them or not, she added.
GLAS: Same-Sex Partners Left out of Adoption Bill
ZAGREB, 9 November, 2021 - The GLAS party warned on Tuesday that the Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy has omitted same-sex partners in the amendments to the Foster Care Act despite a ruling by the Constitutional Court last year saying that that was unconsitutional.
A public debate on amendments to the bill ended last week and same-sex partners were not listed among potential foster carers despite dozens of objections.
"Justification that the Constitutional Court did not order that, naturally, is pointless because it is obvious to everyone what the intention is and that this situation leaves legal vacuum and provides room for discrimination against life partners. The ministry is acting in contradiction to the Constitutional Court decision which clearly says that discrimination against life partners is unconstitutional and that decision has to be included in all relevant laws."
Anything else is just the continuation of discrimination and represents an unconstitutional action by the ministry and government which prepared the bill, GLAS said and recalled that it had sent several amendments to the law so that life partners would be given direct rights to foster care.
Should the government forward this discriminatory bill to parliament, GLAS MP Anka Mrak Taritaš will once again lodge an amendment to the bill and seek equal rights for life partners, a press release said.
Zagreb Mayor: Textbooks to Stay Free, Price of Kindergarten Care Won't Rise
ZAGREB, 9 November, 2021 - Mayor Tomislav Tomašević on Tuesday announced the introduction of compensatory measures for the phase-out of grants for stay-at-home parents, noting that Zagreb primary and secondary school students will continue to have free textbooks and that fees for kindergarten care will not go up.
"As regards vulnerable families, local as well as state welfare measures, which have not been used so far because of the stay-at-home parent scheme, will be applied," Tomašević said at a news conference responding to criticism over the cancellation of the scheme which has cost the city HRK 1.6 billion since its introduction in 2016.
Instead of higher grant for third child, grant for first child to be increased
Children will attend kindergarten, mothers who are now stay-at-home parents will be able to look for a job, Tomašević said, adding that next Tuesday, when the presentation of the city budget for 2022 was scheduled, he would explain the compensatory measures in detail.
New kindergartens will be built, as part of a three-year plan for investments in kindergartens, where in the future, he said, the national pedagogical standard should be complied with.
"We are not thinking about increasing the fee for kindergarten care," he stressed.
As for criticism from opposition parties in the Zagreb City Assembly over the abolishment of the HRK 54,000 layette grant for the third child, Tomašević said that no savings had been made in the city outlays for grants for newborn children and that the same amount was envisaged for next year as well, around HRK 80 million. However, instead of increasing the grant for the third child, the grant for the first child will go up.
As for criticism from the HDZ party, a coalition partner to the party of former mayor Milan Bandić, Tomašević said that the HDZ branch in Zagreb in 2019 did not support the strategy for the city's demographic development exactly because of the stay-at-home parent grant scheme, but was now defending it.
He said that the monthly amount paid for stay-at-home parents was around the amount of wages for more than 6,000 kindergarten employees, stressing that no savings had been made there either as the money would be used to expand kindergarten capacity.
Demographic policy in Croatia cannot be pursued only at the local level because it results in depopulation, with families from the provinces moving to cities that have demographic schemes like Zagreb, he said.
He added that he was not worried about possible lawsuits by stay-at-home parents, noting that their rights were not acquired rights based on a law but rather aid based on a decision by the former mayor.
"There are no contracts with stay-at-home parents, I don't see how they could legally seek compensation by suing the city," he said.
As far as free textbooks for primary and secondary school students are concerned, there will be no changes next year and the city will provide them free of charge, he said.
Fuchs: Model of Testing in Education System to be Known by Friday
ZAGREB, 9 November, 2021 - Minister of Science and Education Radovan Fuchs said on Tuesday that the ministry is currently discussing the mechanism and manner of COVID testing in the education system, adding that there are three options, while the final decision will be known by Friday.
"Testing will be introduced for everyone who needs to be tested. People who have a COVID certificate will show their certificate and will not need to be tested," said Fuchs.
"We are currently discussing the mechanism and manner of testing. There are three options on the cards - testing in certified institutions or laboratories, testing in schools, and self-testing," he added.
"If 45% of people have not been vaccinated, and I don't know the exact number of those who have recovered, then we are talking about testing about 30,000 people. That isn't that small a number," he said.
It should also be taken into consideration that testing needs to be conducted every other day and that it has to be done before the teacher enters the classroom. "It's not that simple but we intend to put it all in writing so there are not too many problems," the minister noted.
Fuchs said that testing children was not being considered for now but that it would be if necessary.
Ministry Says Flat Allotted to Minister Banožić According to Rules
ZAGREB, 9 November, 2021 - The defence ministry on Tuesday dismissed an article in the Nacional weekly regarding the allocation of a flat to Minister Mario Banožić as malicious and untrue and underlines that the minister did not choose which flat would be made available to him during his ministerial term.
The size of the flat, and in this case it is 92 square metres, depends on the number of household members, the ministry says adding that the minister, who lived in eastern Croatia before he was appointed minister, has three children and as such eligible for to a larger flat.
The ministry says that the article claiming that the minister himself chose the flat in the centre of Zagreb so he could go to work on foot is aimed at undermining Banožić's reputation.
The press release cites the rules and criteria for the allotment of properties to state officials and other state employees, underscoring that it was not the minister who had chosen the flat concerned.
It refutes allegations about the minister having the flat renovated at a cost of HRK 200,000 (€26,666), and recalls that before the Banožić family moved into the flat, it had not been used and was in a dilapidated state. Also, the flat had been broken into several times.
The flat concerned was partially renovated before it was allotted to Minister Banožić, the ministry says, underscoring that the investment in the state-owned flat was a long-term investment into the property concerned and not for the needs of particular tenants.
Currently Minister Banožić is occupying the flat, and after the expiry of his ministerial term, it will be allotted to some other occupant, the ministry explained.
Croatia Logs 4,966 New COVID Cases, 59 deaths
ZAGREB, 9 November, 2021 - In the past 24 hours Croatia has registered 4,966 new cases of the infection with coronavirus and 59 COVID patients have died, which has been the highest daily fatality number so far, the national COVID response team reported on Tuesday.
There are currently 1,952 hospitalised COVID patients and of them, 253 are on ventilators.
At the same time, there are 30,381 active cases in the country and 22,408 people are self-isolating.
To date, a total of 3,197,585 tests have been taken with 12,925 samples taken in the past 24 hours.
Since the outbreak of the pandemic, there have been 507,535 registered cases of the contagion in Croatia and 9,605 people have died, while 467,549 people have recovered.
Croatia's Jan-Sept 2021 Exports Increase by 24.9%, Imports by 20.6%
ZAGREB, 9 November, 2021 - Croatia's commodity exports reached HRK 100.3 billion in the first nine months of 2021, which is an increase of 24.9% compared with the same period of 2020, while imports rose by 20.6% to HRK 153.4 billion, according to initial data published by the National Bureau of Statistics (DZS) on Tuesday.
The foreign trade deficit increased by HRK 6.2 billion to HRK 53.1 billion. Coverage of imports by exports was 65.4%.
Exports to EU member states grew by 25.6% to HRK 66.6 billion, while imports from those countries increased by 16.9% to HRK 117.6 billion.
Exports to non-EU countries went up by 23.2% to HRK 31.7 billion, while imports from those countries rose by 34.8% to HRK 35.7 billion.
Expressed in euro, Croatian exports in the first nine months of 2021 totalled €13.3 billion, up by 24.6% on the year, while at the same time imports increased by 20.3% to €20.4 billion.
The foreign trade deficit was slightly below €7 billion.
Exports to EU member states amounted to €9.1 billion, up by 25.4%, while imports from those countries rose by 16.6% to €15.6 billion.
Exports to non-EU countries went up by 22.8% to €4.2 billion, while imports form those countries increased by 34.4% to €4.7 billion.
