August 20, 2021 - Following the Tokyo Olympics, the International Judo Federation (IJF) has announced a new ranking of the world’s best judokas. The current world champion and the best Croatian judoka, Barbara Matić, took the top spot in the category up to 70 kg, while Karla Prodan is eighth in the category up to 78 kg.

The best result in the performances of Croatian judokas so far at the Olympic Games, fifth place in Tokyo, helped Barbara Matić jump by seven positions and become the first name in the category up to 70 kg, reports HRT.

"I am proud because I sat at the very top of my category. Although the world gold brought the most points, the whole season was good, and the result is world number 1. At the same time, it is my motivation for even stronger work because there are so many quality judokas, and I want to stay on top in the coming years as I look towards Paris," said Matić, while coach Vladimir Preradović offered a similar view:

"This is a great thing for Barbara and Croatian judo and JK Pujanke. It is the result of twenty years of work and commitment to continue to be quality, as well as to raise others, from Karla to younger and new names to come."

Barbara Matić is from Split and is a two-time world junior champion in the women's 70 kg division and the bronze medalist at the 2014 and 2017 European Judo Championships as well. 

The winner of the European senior bronze medal from Prague in 2020, Karla Prodan, jumped 15 places and came in 8th place in the world ranking of the category up to 78 kg.

For the first time in one year, Croatian judo has two names in the Top 10 judokas, in its categories, with winning the first medal at the world championships and the fight for the Olympic medal.

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

To learn more about sport in Croatia, CLICK HERE. 

ZAGREB, 20 August 2021 - Croatian film "Everything Ahead" directed by Mate Ugrin on Thursday won the Heart of Sarajevo award for the best short film at the Sarajevo Film Festival.

Everything Ahead is a film about a young woman, caretaker Branka, who moves to an island to look after an elderly woman. After the harsh winter is over and her job is finished, Branka decides to stay on the island for the summer season.

The heart of Sarajevo Award for the best feature film wen to the Austrian-German movie "Great Freedom" which centres on Hans, a man in post-World War II Germany who is imprisoned for being gay, and develops a relationship with his cellmate Viktor.

For more on Made in Croatia, follow this page.

For more about Croatia, CLICK HERE.

ZAGREB, 20 Aug, 2021 - The indexation of pension allowances on 1 July will lead to their rise by 2.46%, which means that the average increase will be 68.93 kuna, with the lowest pensions going up by HRK 42.77 and the the highest by HRK 180.47, the Večernji List (VL) daily reported on Friday.

Pensions are indexed twice a year, on 1 January and 1 July, to account for increases in living costs and to be adjusted to changes in the gross average monthly pay. The latest calculation of these two variables paves the way for the 2.46% increase in pension allowances as of 1 July.

In July, there were 1,143,592 pension recipients in Croatia, and the average pension was HRK 2,581.99.

17.5% increase in pension allowances since October 2016

Since October 2016, the average pension has increased by 17.5%, the Zagreb-based daily reported.

The lowest pension, HRK 1,738.48, is currently paid to 270,495 beneficiaries.

A total of 1,752 recipients get pensions in the amount of HRK 7347.17. Their allowances have increased by HRK 1,376 kuna since October 2016.

 (€1 = HRK 7.5)

For more on lifestyle, follow TCN's dedicated page.

For more about Croatia, CLICK HERE.

August 20, 2021 - Split-Dalmatia County in August this year achieved 89% of 2019's record tourist traffic. But that's not all. 

In August, the heart of the tourist season, Split-Dalmatia County is pleased to host an increasing number of tourists who will spend warm summer holidays by the sea, in the green heart of Inland Dalmatia, or on our islands.

In the first half of August, 89% of tourist traffic was recorded compared to 2019. There are as many as 88% more nautical guests compared to the same period last year. Almost all destinations in the County have reached or surpassed last year's figures, which means that we are well organized, and the realization of such a great season in excellent business conditions is the result of excellent cooperation between the private and public sectors in preparation, organization, and implementation of this tourist year. On this occasion, Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board director Joško Stella revealed his impressions. 

What are the tourist results in Split-Dalmatia County?

The first half of August in Split-Dalmatia County is only 11% worse than the record 2019. On August 10, we reached the tourist figures corresponding to the total tourist traffic realized during 2020. With each new day, we are one step closer to the record year 2019, and it is necessary to remain organized and disciplined and adhere to the prescribed epidemiological measures.

In the first 15 days of August, there were 418 thousand arrivals and 2.7 million overnight stays. Since the beginning of 2021, there have been 1,459,233 arrivals and 8,565,826 overnight stays, 55% more arrivals last year, and 47% more overnight stays than last year.

Which markets record the largest number of arrivals?

Observing the share of guests according to the countries they come from in 2021, we record excellent results from the Polish, German, Czech, Hungarian, Slovak, and French markets.

The French market is up 265%, Slovaks up 200%, Hungarians 180%, and Germans by 110%. Thus, on August 12, we reached the tourist figures corresponding to the total tourist traffic realized during 2020.

How much did this year's tourism results surprise tourism workers?

This year's uncertain and extremely stressful season for Split-Dalmatia County tourist workers, with a significant increase in tourist traffic in July and reservations and excellent announcements of guests in August, instills new optimism and hope that significant arrivals and overnight stays will mark the tourist months ahead and especially postseason. The number of guests visiting us has been growing steadily since mid-June, to be visited in July by 710,000 tourists who made 4.3 million commercial overnight stays, an increase of 62 percent in arrivals and 48 percent in overnight stays compared to the same month last year. 

The current guests from Central Dalmatia left satisfied. That they passed on their impressions to others is confirmed by the growing number of airlines from Europe to Split, which means that airlines are following the growing interest of guests to come to our county.

How much has the favorable epidemiological situation affected our target markets?

Due to the favorable epidemiological situation, for which everyone in the tourism sector has been carefully preparing, Croatia is classified as a risk-free area according to the new rules introduced by Germany on August 1 for its citizens returning from other countries. Following the circumstances dictated by epidemiological measures, our hosts in tourist places have made an effort to organize and offer guests some new outdoor facilities that will not jeopardize their safe stay and will give them a pleasurable and experience-filled vacation.

How did Split-Dalmatia County prepare to receive such a large number of guests in complex circumstances?

In August, as the most generous tourist month in the business year, Central Dalmatia is ready to welcome its long-awaited guests and tourist companies, hosts in family accommodation, marinas, and camps, following strict epidemiological measures and safety standards. Like the whole of Croatia, which is currently the safest EU member in the Mediterranean due to the epidemiological situation, Split-Dalmatia County hosts world-famous people every day, who send the best marketing message of our tourism to the world.

In special circumstances, we communicate information about our safety and readiness for tourism to foreign partners, CNTB offices, and foreign media, which are our frequent guests. Despite the complex circumstances, tourism staff is ready to respond to all job requirements to ensure a safe stay to the satisfaction of all guests who arrive on holiday in our county.

We also have excellent results in July. Which markets achieved the largest number of arrivals and overnight stays?

According to data from the eVisitor system in Split-Dalmatia County, 710,671 guests stayed in commercial accommodation in July, 62 percent more arrivals than in July last year. They realized 4,318,121 overnight stays, an increase of 48 percent. In July, the largest number of arrivals and overnight stays from foreign markets were made by Poles (119,839 arrivals and 913,073 overnight stays). Tourists from the Czech Republic recorded 74,972 arrivals and 554,399 overnight stays, Germans 69,804 arrivals and 447,828 overnight stays, and tourists from Slovenia 42,209 arrivals 328,234 overnight stays.

In the first seven months of this year, there were 1,033,065 guests in commercial accommodation in Split-Dalmatia County, which grew 70 percent compared to the same period last year. In addition, 5,843,606 overnight stays were realized, which is an increase of 58 percent, compared to the first seven months of last year.

As much as 40% of all nautical nights were realized in Split-Dalmatia County. So what are the expectations for August and the post-season?

In July, boaters mostly visited the waters of Split-Dalmatia County. Thus, in July in Central Dalmatia, 41,202 boaters realized 257,492 overnight stays, almost 40 percent of all nautical overnight stays in Croatia.

In the first half of August, there were 19,212 arrivals and 152,467 overnight stays, 88% more arrivals, and 131% overnight stays. Since the beginning of the year, there have been 99,720 arrivals and 650,000 overnight stays, an increase of 155% in arrivals and 146% in overnight stays. We expect an equally good second part of August and a good post-season.

We are extremely proud that we have successfully realized a virtual display of sea routes in cooperation with colleagues from the county. Google Maps have the most users in the world, they number in the hundreds of millions, so it is imperative to be well-represented on them. These are the maps on which most navigation devices are based today. The vast majority of our guests use these maps when arriving at the destination. By bringing a virtual display of sea routes to almost every place in our county, guests can tour our entire coast before their arrival virtually. This service is a novelty globally and will make it much easier for boaters to find the desired destination. And when they actually arrive at the location, they will feel like they have already been there. So far, over 14 million views have been recorded. Also, this project has a significant social and communal purpose, achieving more transparent, accountable, and efficient management of maritime assets.

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

August 20, 2021 - The Croatia women's volleyball team opens EuroVolley in Zadar with a win against Switzerland! Up next, Croatia faces Belarus on Saturday. 

In the European Women's Volleyball Championship first match of Group C, hosted in Zadar, Croatia defeated Switzerland with a convincing 3-0 (25:20, 25:19, 25:21).

In the Krešimir Ćosić Hall in Višnjik, the Croatia women's team opened the European competition with a celebration against Switzerland and without losing a set after 71 minutes of play. In the first set, middle blocker and freshly 21-year-old Božana Butigan had a 100 percent performance in the attack by scoring five points.

Daniele Santarelli's team was decisive for the outcome in the middle of the first and second sets, while Switzerland offered the fiercest resistance in the third set, in which they had a 12:8 lead. However, another great period followed for Croatia, winning 12 of the next 15 points and taking the 20:15 lead to calmly bring the match to an end by a maximum of three points.

Laura Miloš with 18 points and captain Samanta Fabris with 13 points were the most effective for Croatia against Switzerland. 

This is Croatia's fifth consecutive victory over Switzerland in the last ten years.

"I couldn't sleep all night because of the excitement. This is the first European Championship for me, the first game. The victory was significant to us, and I am overjoyed that we started this tournament with a victory. We are focused on the opponent who is coming to us next because we are going from game to game," said Miloš after the match.

"The first match is never easy. Everyone is nervous, so we didn’t know what awaited us during this match. Our game was not the best, but at certain moments we had outstanding actions. Some situations, we can still correct, even though we don’t have much time. This was a good start; we showed a good game, although, in the first set, we did not have a strong defense and blocks," said coach Daniele Santarelli. 

Before the match, the European Championship opening ceremony was held, which was attended by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia Andrej Plenković, accompanied by Minister of Sport and Tourism Nikolina Brnjac, Minister of Defense Mario Banožić, and Minister of Labor and Pensions, Family and Social Policy Josip Aladrović.

Italy and Belarus, and Hungary and Slovakia will meet today in Group C. Croatia will play against Belarus in the second round on August 21. Group A is played in Belgrade, Group B in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, and Group D in Cluj, Romania.

Source: HRT

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

To learn more about sport in Croatia, CLICK HERE. 

August the 20th, 2021 - Several Slavonian confectioners have undergone specialist training at no less than the world-famous Académie d’Art de Paris Le Cordon Bleu in the glamorous French capital.

As Poslovni Dnevnik/Marta Duic writes, the Regional Centre of Competence (RCK) of the Hospitality and Tourism School from the Eastern Croatian City of Osijek is now richer for six Slavonian confectioners and chefs who underwent a seven-week training at the aforementioned institution.

The training in question was realised within the project activity of the RCK Catering and Tourism School from Osijek in the project VirtuOS - the establishment of the RCC in the tourism and catering sector, which is financed by funds from both the European Union (EU) and the Croatian state budget.

Ivan Kelava and Damir Abramic, teachers of cooking at the Osijek Catering and Tourism School, Robert Batrac, mentor to students from Hotel Osijek and Ruzica Sosic, Dunja Culjak and Sasa Beslic, confectionery teachers from the partner Vinkovci Secondary Vocational School, received this specialist French training and education.

At the academy, the group of Slavonian confectioners and chefs had the opportunity to learn from renowned French chefs who had gained their experience and vast knowledge in world-famous Michelin-starred restaurants. This newly acquired knowledge from the French capital of Paris will be passed on by Croatian teachers to their colleagues, used when teaching students, and also in creating new curricula and programmes.

Namely, the Osijek RCC points out that the training of their teachers and mentors is the cornerstone and foundation of quality education and the promotion of this sort of profession.

The establishment of the Regional Competence Centre will improve vocational education in the tourism and hospitality sector in Croatia, and grants of 95,673,388.62 kuna from the European Regional Development Fund and the European Social Fund have been provided for the involved projects.

For more, follow our lifestyle section.

August the 20th, 2021 - Two Croatian sisters have come together to create 100 percent recycled clothing and other fashion accessories, using only all natural fibres and materials.

As Poslovni Dnevnik/Lucija Spiljak writes, Piki Poma is a new line of sustainable clothing from the Fjaba brand, made of 100 percent recycled fibes which are permanently pleated, and fashion accessories made of environmentally friendly and all-natural materials.

Behind the line are textile clothing designer Mirna Litovic and graphic technology engineer Ida Litovic Babic, two Croatian sisters who founded the Fjaba brand way back in 2006. Since then, they say, they have been present on the Croatian and foreign scene through the presentation of their impressive collections at fashion events such as Cro-a-Porter.

The collections made by the two Croatian sisters are made in only a small series, and their unique models are available in two stores in Split and several concept stores in Croatia and abroad.

When it comes to the choice of name, the two sisters say that the name of the collection was created spontaneously during the tomato season back in 2019 - piki has been taken from the English phrase ''picky'', meaning choosy, and ''poma'' comes from the Dalmatian word for tomato.

"True tomato lovers know how difficult it is to find the ''perfect'' tomato that will delight your body and soul, the type you'll remember. We like the idea of ​​the perfect tomato. The idea behind ​​Piki Poma has been around for a long time, in fact, for as long as it took for it to take on its shape and name. The beginning of the pandemic allowed us to 100% dedicate ourselves to that idea, to create something beautiful in those difficult times. Neither the pandemic nor the constraints that complicated the realisation of the project could prevent Piki Poma from seeing the light of day,'' say the two determined Croatian sisters, who use only environmentally sustainable, high-quality materials for their creations.

According to the principle of slow fashion, they produce functional and timeless models, and they're always, they say, looking for new and innovative production techniques.

It took two years to present their first model of clogs, then came their bags. In addition to clogs and bags, they offer a collection of clothes made of recycled material and a collection of wooden bracelets.

"The message would be that sustainable fashion can be very innovative and creative. We only create products that we would wear ourselves, which easily fit into everyday life, and yet remain original and different. The prototypes are created in a small studio in Split. According to the principles of sustainable fashion, we don't create stock, our products are made to order,'' stated Mirna and Ida.

Their goal, they conclude, is to supplement the sales range, to work on their brand visibility both in Croatia and abroad, and expand their sales channels and their list of partners abroad.

For more, follow Made in Croatia.

August the 20th, 2021 - One Zagreb company has been busy transforming its business model and incorporating new technology, putting them on the path to becoming a regional leader in their segment.

As Poslovni Dnevnik/Darko Bicak writes, the Zagreb metallurgical-technological company Laser Inženjering (Engineering), which primarily deals with laser metal cutting, is currently in the process of transforming its business model and integrating 4.0 technology, which should enable them to become the leading regional innovative service centre for metal cutting and machining by 2025.

As Andjelko Kascel, the owner and director of this Zagreb company explained, as the company is branded, their goal is to form the first service centre with all the cutting technologies that are known and used across the rest of the world.

“As the demand for other metal cutting technologies grew, we also trained in stages for pipe cutting, water jet cutting, plasma cutting and autogenous cutting. In addition to specialising in providing metal cutting services, we've introduced complementary technologies and processing services such as metal bending, welding, the fabrication of metal structures and assemblies and metal protection, to provide our customers with a more complete service and a more competitive price,'' explained Kascel, whose company is celebrating seven years of doing business.

He added that despite strong competition, both from Croatian and foreign companies, and an unfavourable economic environment and difficulties in finding suitable employee profiles, they've maintained a leading market share in the provision of metal cutting services here in the Republic of Croatia. According to him, this is now the impetus for this Zagreb company to realise their leading position in other processing technologies and to position themselves more strongly in the European Union.

"We're orienting our business to the EU's western market, which sets higher business standards and separates us from the competition. Although the coronavirus pandemic has alleviated this issue a bit, the lack of skilled labour is still a big problem for enterprises, and it remains so for us, as we currently have 43 workers. This challenge is a reflection of the continued disregard for strategic priorities at the state, economy and education levels. Failure to deal with all this has accelerated the emigration of able-bodied people to better and safer employment positions abroad. The solution lies in structural reforms that will enable stable economic growth that will affect the demand for quality labour and economic migrants will begin to return to Croatia,'' said Kascel, adding that this problem is forcing them to take new steps.

"When investing in new technology without an adequate skilled workforce, productivity isn't expected and the results are only a little better than the previous ones. That said, if we have large investments and an initial higher cost, then we have the effect of compensatory feedback. That's why we have a strategic plan to establish an education centre and train our own staff,'' this Zagreb company director explained.

Kascel owned a business in Austria for many years, and then he decided to try his hand in Croatia as well. He recalls that in starting a business here, challenges arose that aren't standard in the west.

“This refers to bureaucratic hurdles and the perception of the majority of the public that an entrepreneur starts a business because he has the protection of local policy, bankers, inspections… But my key challenges involved providing adequate start-up capital for space, machinery and equipment, selecting and recruiting experienced staff from the metal industry, allocating raw material suppliers and gaining our first customers. There's also the constant management of risks and changes,'' explained Andjelko Kascel.

He is particularly bothered by the perception in the west that we're a country of "bricks, concrete and tourism", which affects the attitude that foreign partners and financiers have towards entrepreneurs and investments in the Republic of Croatia.

"It's very difficult to fight for the position of a serious supplier or partner, so we're left to ourselves. We know that the banks are foreign-owned, and any financing in production is difficult. Although we have the support of EU funds, so people's perceptions of us have improved a bit, but it's still difficult to secure favourable capital for production,'' concluded Kascel.

For more, follow our business section.