Vertiv Opens Impressive New Rugvica Data Centre Plant
April the 24th, 2021 - Vertiv has a new production plant worth a massive ten million euros at their disposal, and it is as impressive as it is costly. The Rugvica data centre equipping plant is set to open many a door in Croatia, especially in terms of the employment of engineers.
As Poslovni Dnevnik/Lucija Spiljak writes, on Thursday, Vertiv opened the doors of their brand new Rugvica data centre plant worth 10 million euros. For this leading IT and telecom infrastructure provider, whose technology drives some of the world's best data centres, this investment is a response to the increased demand for integrated modular solutions (IMS) and will deliver data centre modules throughout the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East, Africa).
Vertiv pointed out that with 150 new jobs, mostly in engineering positions, the plant is set to double the capacity of data centres in the EMEA region - providing 130 percent more internal space while expanding external space by 60 percent with the possibility of further increases for future needs. In addition, it implements numerous innovations in the construction of PFM centres (prefabricated modular data centres - PFM).
The president of Vertiv in the EMEA region, Giordano Albertazzi, pointed out that today there is a lot of talk about IT trends and development technologies such as 5G, IoT and artificial intelligence (AI), but not enough about the physical infrastructure behind them.
“We see a growth trend in the implementation of PMFs that can support these new technologies, which is why as a market leader in this sector we're investing in increasing innovation capacities that will respond to the needs of our customers and enable them to stay on top of things. The new facility supports the plans and success of our EMEA and global customers, reflecting our perseverance in investing in the markets in which we operate,'' said Albertazzi.
New employment opportunities in Croatia
In addition to supporting the business in the entire EMEA region, this investment in the new Rugvica data centre plant is also an opportunity for employment in this part of Europe, but also for the development of the technology sector here in Croatia.
"The investment will position Vertiv as one of the important players in the IT industry in the region," said Igor Grdic, a member of the Management Board of Vertiv Croatia, which separated from Emerson Network Power five years ago and became part of Vertiv.
Last year, the technology analytics organisation Omdia ranked Vertiv as one of the leading suppliers in the PFM data centre market with the second largest growth in world market share.
Their research confirmed the benefits of such a move which includes the possibility of upgrading or expanding the existing infrastructure which encourages significant growth in the implementation of PFM solutions worldwide. Vertiv's growth, in turn, is attributed to factors such as scalability, the advantage of offsite production and integration, and the speed of implementation.
Insight into the new plant was given by Viktor Petik, Vice President for IMS Business of Vertiv in the EMEA region, emphasising that they can boast of the latest technologies, production processes, tools and testing laboratories.
“It can provide a wide range of prefabricated modular solutions, cable stations that power the Internet connecting the world, all the way to data centres according to specific customer requirements. This new Rugvica data centre plant acts as proof of our perseverance towards innovation and growth,'' said Petik.
PMF data centres come in a variety of forms and have just as many different purposes, including IT-specific designs with so-called all-in-one modules for IT, power and cooling infrastructure most commonly used in educational, industrial and healthcare senses, as well as for remote and hard-to-reach locations.
The “plug and play” approach not only brings benefits to save time for start-up and commissioning within days instead of weeks or months, but is also reduces quality problems because the components are already integrated and tested out there in the field.
As a reminder, A1 is also building a new data centre in Zagreb worth 11 million euros, in which it will use technology that provides advanced cooling, power supply and security systems. They will be installed using Vertiv's technology, and on that occasion last year, Igor Grdic explained that investments in this industry are often based on an optimistic view of future needs for technology, ie digitalisation, and that the pandemic put additional pressure on all processes involved in building data centres globally.
For more, follow our business section.
Electric Cars in Croatia to Make Up More Than Third of Fleet by 2050
April the 24th, 2021 - Electric cars in Croatia could be set to make up more than one third of the country's vehicle fleet by the year 2050 as the national energetic transition gradually continues.
As Poslovni Dnevnik/Darko Bicak writes, between 107 and 168 billion kuna will be required for the complete technological and energy transition of the Republic of Croatia according to the proposal of the Low Carbon Development Strategy until 2030 with a view to 2050. The draft of the above was accepted by the Croatian Government yesterday.
The Croatian low-carbon strategy envisions that the existing national building stock will be renovated and the new one will be fully constructed based on the principles of near-zero energy buildings, as well as on the basis of circular management.
Energy supplies will be more secure, it will be drawn from renewable sources and with low emissions, and energy consumers will also be energy producers themselves. The combination of on-site electricity generation and supply from the public grid will no doubt provide a high level of security of electricity supply.
The Croatian transport system will be intermodal and integrated, mostly with electric vehicles and the use of low-carbon and climate-neutral fuel, and in 2050, electric cars in Croatia should make up 35 percent of the country's fleet of 762,700 e-cars. Currently there are around 1,500 electric cars in Croatia.
Industry and agriculture will be far more energy efficient and connected to all sectors of the economy, while working harder to reduce waste generation in an integrated and circular economy. According to the Croatian Government, the praiseworthy low-carbon strategy paves the way for the transition to a sustainable, competitive economy, in which economic growth is achieved with low greenhouse gas emissions.
About one hundred measures have been selected which can be applied to reduce emissions across various different sectors: electricity and heat production, fuel production and processing, transport, general consumption, industry, agriculture, land use, forestries, waste, product use and of course - emissions.
According to the national strategy, these measures are embedded in three main scenarios: the Reference Scenario (NUR), the Gradual Transition Scenario (NU1) and the Strong Transition Scenario (NU2). The NUR reference scenario is a continuation of existing practices, all of which are in line with current legislation and targets by the year 2030.
It assumes technological progress and the growth of the share of renewable energy sources (RES) and energy efficiency based on the market situation at this time and the target energy standards set today. This is a scenario with a slight increase in the share of RES and energy efficiency. Emissions in this scenario will decrease by 28.9 percent by 2030 and by 46.3 percent by 2050 compared to the level of emissions recorded back in 1990.
The share of renewables in this scenario is 35.7 percent in 2030 and 45.5 percent in 2050. NU1 is more ambitious and assumes a strong increase in unit prices, which represent the right to emit one tonne of CO2 equivalent up to 92.1 euros/t CO2 in 2050, which is a major driver of transition.
The share of renewable energy sources in 2030 under this scenario stands at 36.4 percent, and in 2050 it could be 53.2 percent. The NU1 scenario is set to lower greenhouse gas emissions by 33.5 percent in 2030 and 56.8 percent in 2050 when compared to the aforementioned 1990 reference.
The scenario of strong transition NU2 is dimensioned with the aim to achieve emission reductions by a massive 80 pecent in 2050 when compared to 1990. In this scenario as well as with NU1, a strong increase in unit prices to 92.1 euros/t CO2 in 2050 and very strong energy efficiency measures is envisioned.
The share of renewable energy sources in 2030 under this scenario is 36.4 percent, and in 2050 it could be 65.6 percent. In this scenario, in 2050, the dominant source of emissions remains traffic, followed by agriculture and industry. By applying the measures known today, including those that are socio-economically acceptable for agriculture, an emission reduction of 73.1 percent could be achieved.
The share of electricity and hydrogen is expected to increase, while the share of solid and liquid fossil fuels is decreasing. Natural gas consumption will remain roughly the same until 2030 and then it will declines by 15 percent by 2050. The total share of fossil fuels will decline to 53.2 percent in 2030 and to 41 percent in 2050.
The strategy predicts that the share of direct energy consumption in industry in Croatia will remain at around 17 percent by 2030 and then grow to 19.8 percent in 2050. In the NU1 scenario, total power plant power will grow to 6.57 gigawatts (GW) in 2030, or to 10.3 GW in 2050.
Currently, HEP has about 4 GW installed in the production of electricity and 1 GW of heat. On average, it wil be necessary to build about 260 megawatts of new power plants a year to keep up with this ambitious plan.
For more on electric cars in Croatia and much more, follow our lifestyle section.
Jelena Pavicic Vukicevic Wants More Vaccination Points Across Zagreb
April the 24th, 2021 - Following long time mayor Milan Bandic's sudden and premature death a few weeks ago, the City of Zagreb has been being governed by acting mayor Jelena Pavicic Vukicevic, who has spoken out about her desire for more coronavirus vaccination points located across the capital.
The vaccination process across not only Croatia but Europe as a whole, with the exception of the United Kingdom which has been doing excellently, has been problematic and far slower than anyone could have expected previously, but it seems things are finally on the up. With infection and death rates still high in Croatia, it hasn't come a moment too soon.
As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, acting Zagreb mayor Jelena Pavicic Vukicevic has stated that she would gladly organise everything necessary for the citizens of the Croatian capital to be vaccinated against the novel coronavirus as soon as possible, and noted that talks with healthcare centres were firmly underway and that they would disperse vaccination points throughout Zagreb.
“We're looking forward to the arrival of all of the doses of the coronavirus vaccines from all manufacturers in the City of Zagreb and indeed across the rest of Croatia. This will enable us all to start living normally again, that is, to return to some of our old habits,'' said Jelena Pavicic Vukicevic on Thursday at the Zagreb Fair (Zagrebacki Velesajam), where there is finally a great response and turnout of invited Zagreb residents for vaccination against the new disease.
She called on her fellow citizens to respond to their invitations to come for their immunisation.
The head of the Zagreb City Office for Education, Ivica Lovric, commented that recently, the employees of Zagreb's schools and kindergartens have been coming to the Zagreb Fair for their vaccinations, he added that more than 40 percent of them want to be vaccinated.
"There are about 6,500 of them on the list who have stated that they want to be vaccinated in this current wave. I hope that over time, that number will increase,'' said Lovric.
For all you need to know about coronavirus specific to Croatia, including border, travel and quarantine rules, as well as the locations of testing centres and vaccination points throughout the country, make sure to bookmark our dedicated section.
State Spent Millions on Cijepi Se Vaccine Platform, Medjimurje Spends 40,000 HRK
April the 24th, 2021 - The Cijepi Se vaccine platform has been up and running for some time now, allowing residents of Croatia to indicate their desire to be immunised against the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, and register themselves to be called upon for vaccination.
The Cijepi Se vaccine platform cost some serious money, but one continental Croatian county, more specifically Medjimurje, has managed to put together something very similar for a fraction of the cost.
As Poslovni Dnevnik writes, beautiful Medjimurje County didn't want to wait for the state to sort things out for them to start vaccinating their residents against the new disease. Back in January this year, they independently launched their own local platform for vaccination applications. So far, 24,000 people have signed up through it and vaccinations can be received at 10 points throughout that particular county.
They have had an online vaccination platform for four months now and they have vaccinated more than half of those registered.
It could be said that their vaccination plan is going well thanks to the internet platform they created two months before the Cijepi Se vaccine platform was made and put into function across the nation by the state. Unlike the state, they didn’t have to fork out millions for that platform either, as it cost a mere 40,000 HRK.
Medjimurje County Prefect Matija Posavec said for 24sata that they do also use the state's Cijepi Se vaccine platform, but they still kept working with their own, through which a lot of people apply.
''We've only got about 3,000 people left to vaccinate in the priority group of people over the age of 65 and then we're done with that priority group. We've already started vaccinating those in the education system, and we've immunised half of those who applied so far. We also organised 10 mass vaccination points to relieve the pressure which was being put on healthcare centres. It all works and is going well. At a meeting on Wednesday, they announced that twice as many vaccines are on their way to Croatia, and with the help of our platform, we can already organise who will be invited for vaccination and when their appointment will be,'' said Posavec.
The fact that their platform works is also showcased by the information provided by the director of the Cakovec Health Centre, Dr. Branko Vrcic. When someone registers themselves on the vaccination platform in Medjimurje County, their request is processed within a mere half an hour and they already know the location and time of vaccination, unlike the issues faced by the far larger Cijepi Se vaccine platform which can take a long time before issuing a time and date for vaccination even for priority groups.
For more on coronavirus specific to Croatia, including travel, border and quarantine rules, as well as the locations of vaccination points and testing centres up and down the country, make sure to bookmark our dedicated COVID-19 section.
From Duilovo to Stobreč: New Coastal Promenade to Enhance Split Surroundings (VIDEO)
April 24, 2021 - The new coastal promenade from Duilovo to Stobreč is closer to becoming a reality.
Dalmatinski Portal reports that as part of the large infrastructure project 'Improving Water and Communal Infrastructure of the Split - Solin Agglomeration', a 1,700-meter pipeline route with a service road by the sea will be built.
The construction project for the pipeline from Bačvice to UPOV Stupa with a planned total value of approximately HRK 253 million (including VAT), which includes the Duilovo-Stobreč section with a coastal embankment and service road, is financed in part from European grants from the project for Improving the Water and Communal Infrastructure of the Split - Solin Agglomeration. The total value of the entire project amounts to HRK 1,791,760,602.63, which with HRK 975,315,032.88, i.e., 68.71% of eligible costs is financed by grants from the European Union from the Cohesion Fund through the Operational Program Competitiveness and Cohesion 2014 - 2020. The remaining HRK 444,093,449.22 or 31.29% will be co-financed by national funds.
Realizing the Split-Solin agglomeration project has been blocked for many years by a lawsuit of a small group of dissatisfied citizens, led by Nebojsa Knezevic, who challenged the issued location permits. The project could finally come to fruition after the High Administrative Court ruling in September 2020.
The investor of the pipeline and service road is Vodovod i kanalizacija d.o.o Split and the City of Split will participate in horticultural costs and paving the service road along the infrastructure embankment on the Duiolovo-Stobreč section, which will also serve as a coastal promenade.
In addition to the construction of the road, it is also planned to plant greenery with autochthonous varieties of trees and low vegetation. The promenade will be beautified by approximately 559 trees, 4087 shrubby plants, and 2377 traditional Dalmatian plants such as lavender and rosemary.
The new sea view of the city will be ideal for walks, socializing and cycling. Citizens will soon enjoy the attraction that will give a special atmosphere to the city," said ViK.
For more about lifestyle in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.
Zagreb to Host 2021 World Rowing Cup for First Time!
April 24, 2021 - The 2021 World Rowing Cup will be held in Zagreb from April 30 to May 2 for the first time in history.
Namely, the world's best rowers will gather at Zagreb's Jarun, led by Olympic, world, and European winners, brothers Martin and Valent Sinković in coxless pairs, and Olympic runner-up Damir Martin in singles.
Sisters Ivana and Josipa Jurković will also compete for Croatia in the coxless pairs, David Šain in singles, and Ivan Piton, Marko Ukropina, Anton, and Patrik Lončarić in the coxless four.
This will be their first 'world appearance' at home, and they are proudly waiting for the arrival of their world competitors.
"This is an important moment for Croatian sports and rowing, since, after the reconstruction of the Jarun track, the possibility of holding the World Cup and bringing the world's best rowers to Zagreb became a reality. This competition not only promotes sports but is important for the overall promotion of Croatia and Zagreb as a historical and cultural center, tourist destination, and modern European metropolis," said the president of the Croatian Rowing Federation Branimir Basic.
Robert Anic / PIXSELL
Martin Sinković thanked the City of Zagreb for its support and the opportunity to compete with the best rowers in the world for the first time in history, hoping that the World Cup will be held in Zagreb in 2023, and in the future, perhaps the World Championship.
"We are happy to compete with the best world crews at home. Who knows, maybe in a few years, the world championship will be held on Jarun," said Martin Sinković.
Robert Anic / PIXSELL
Damir Martin pointed out that he has not the slightest doubt about the success of the upcoming competition.
"This is a really nice occasion. I have no doubts about the organization and everything needed because we have many years of experience in Zagreb and Croatian rowing behind us. This will be just one “day at the office” for the organization," the silver medalist from the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics said.
Sisters Ivana and Josipa Jurković, who won fifth place in the coxless pairs, will also perform at Jarun.
"We are happy because this is the first time that such competition takes place in Croatia. We hope for a good result; unfortunately, because of the epidemiological situation, there will be no fans," said Ivana Jurković.
Patrik Lončarić, a representative of the coxless fours, also expressed satisfaction with the competition in Zagreb, hoping that a good result will make an additional step forward before the regatta that separates them from the final qualifying regatta for the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Robert Anic / PIXSELL
"This is a big deal, the World Cup on Jarun. We have good rowers, and I hope we will do as well as possible and take another step forward."
Tomislav Družak, State Secretary at the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, thanked and congratulated on behalf of the Government and the relevant ministry, all participants for their courage and determination to organize such an event in difficult pandemic conditions. He is sure that this will be a great overture for the upcoming competition in which some rowers will try to win a place at the Olympic Games.
Jelena Pavičić Vukičević, Deputy Mayor who is acting mayor, wished all athletes good health and much sporting success. She emphasized that the investment of 30 million kuna for the arrangement of the track itself will remain for this competition and for the generations to come and those who, perhaps thanks to this event, will love this sport and try rowing.
The Zagreb Tourist Board also supported the event.
"Sports events are one of the most important ambassadors of every country, and thus the city they are held. I am delighted that Zagreb is in these uncertain times, for the first time in history, hosting two major world sporting events - the World Rowing Cup and the World Rally Championship (WRC)," said director Martina Bienenfeld.
The representative of WWF Adria, Ivana Korn Varga, emphasized the importance of water as a natural resource and as a basis for the preservation of freshwater ecosystems; cooperation was established between WWF and the World Rowing Federation, including the Croatian Rowing Federation. She wished good luck to the rowers and announced the nomination of the five-state UNESCO Mura Biosphere Reserve, the Drava Danube.
Robert Anic / PIXSELL
According to the guidelines for event management, the World Rowing Federation, the Croatian Rowing Federation, and the Olympic Committee have developed a COVID-19 protection plan for organizing sports events based on the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO).
The plan was carefully reviewed and approved by the Croatian Institute of Public Health and the Croatian Civil Protection Headquarters. The World Rowing Federation and the Olympic Committee are convinced that the measures planned to be implemented are appropriate to minimize the risk of transmission and infection at the event.
To follow the latest sports news in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.
To learn more about sport in Croatia, CLICK HERE.
Highlights of the Week: 5 Big Events in Croatia from April 19-25, 2021
April 25, 2021 - From incredible flight news to The Total Croatia Travel INFO (TCTI) Viber community winning an award, the past week has been exciting. Here are TCN's five highlights of the week in Croatia from April 19 to 25, 2021.
The week started with the exciting introduction of a new direct route between New York and Dubrovnik. While things may have taken a slight turn in the middle of the week, the latest news regarding The Total Croatia Travel INFO Viber community ended the week on a high. From Monday to Sunday, we list five events featured on Croatia's news portals on the front pages.
Highlights of the week: TCTI Viber Community, Manjgura, Mediacor Wins 2021 Crisis Management PR Grand Prix
The Total Croatia Travel INFO (TCTI) Viber community, in partnership with Manjgura and Mediacor, has won the 2021 HUOJ International Grand Prix Award for Crisis Communication. It was a project with a total investment of just 2,000 kunas (US $320) that generated more than 10 million euros of tourism spend for the Croatian economy in 2020.
Although the award is associated with TCN, it actually goes to the partners, Croatia's oldest PR agency, Manjgura, and Mediacor. You can check out Manjgura services here and Mediacor here. The project was conceived by Manjgura founder Kreso Macan, who had the vision to see the need and the determination and drive to pull off the project. It was a masterclass of how to achieve the goal.
Highlights of the week: Forbes Included Istria in 50 Spectacular Places to Visit Post-Pandemic
Another recognition of Croatia's beauty and tourist offer as the American magazine Forbes included Istria among 50 spectacular destinations for post-pandemic travels. The article states that Istria is an ideal destination for all gastronomy lovers who wish to taste quality olive oil, truffles, prosciutto, wine, and seafood in Istria. It also emphasizes the beauty of Istrian towns and their excellent geographical position.
Srecko Niketic
"Foodies should consider Croatia's Istrian Peninsula for their next taste-testing vacation. As the crow flies, you're practically in Italy; in fact, there's a ferry that runs between Venice and Pula, Croatia. You'll find truffles, olive oil, prosciutto, wine, and all types of seafood, plus delicacies that are 100% Croatian.
This region is popular with European travelers, but Americans are only just beginning to visit. If you go, be sure to split your time between a coastal city (such as Rovinj or Pula) and inland villages (hill-top Motovun is a favorite)," writes Forbes.
Highlights of the week: United Airlines Flights to Croatia Announced with New York-Dubrovnik Line this Summer!
United Airlines, one of the largest American airlines, is launching a direct route between the United States and Croatia! After American Airlines permanently canceled the Philadelphia-Dubrovnik route due to the global pandemic, Croatia will directly connect with the United States.
Pixabay
Croatia has met all the conditions for abolishing tourist visas to enter the United States, and American guests can plan a vacation in Croatia this summer, so United decided to be the first to react and introduce a direct line to Dubrovnik from New York this summer! United will operate to Dubrovnik as early as July 8 this year with three flights per week. Departures from New York are planned on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, with the return from Dubrovnik a day later.
Highlights of the week: Croatian Tennis Federation Rejects Established Croatia Player for Brother's Social Media Posts?
A member of the Croatian tennis community and organizer of the Croatia Bol Open, Feliks Lukas, announced on his Facebook page that the Croatian Tennis Federation (HTS) rejected the request of his sister, Tena Lukas, to play at the ITF Zagreb Ladies Open.
"The Croatian Tennis Federation rejected the request to invite the seven-time senior national team member and #268 WTA tennis player of the world to the ITF Zagreb Ladies Open, explaining it to Tena as follows:
'Because of your brother's Facebook posts, you are not a candidate for an invitation to the tournament!'
Davor Javorovic
Namely, in its defense, HTS stated that the mentioned tennis player Tena Lukas did not get a wild card because she has practically not been able to beat anyone lately. "As a member of the Croatia national team, Tena Lukas was certainly among the candidates for an invitation to the Zagreb Ladies Open because she deserved this opportunity with her performances in the former Fed Cup (now the Billie Jean King Cup) and on an individual level. However, her latest results were crucial not to be shortlisted this time: she played seven tournaments this year, and she was eliminated in all seven in the first round, either in the main event or in the qualifiers."
Highlights of the week: Croatia Rally Day One: Belgian Driver Thierry Neuville in the Lead
The 2021 Croatia Rally, part of one of the world's most attractive auto racing competitions (World Rally Championship - WRC), is being held from April 22 to 25 this year. The race is held on across three counties, on the local roads of Zagreb, Karlovac, and Krapina-Zagorje counties.
Luka Stanzl
The two-day race began on Friday with Belgian driver Thierry Neuville (Hyundai i20) leads with three-morning victories on the WRC Croatia Rally day one. Even with small delays in the four-afternoon specials, he kept the top spot, while the current and seven-time world champion Frenchman Sebastien Ogier broke into second place (Toyota Yaris).
To follow all news from Croatia, subscribe to our newsletter.
Croatia Rally Day One: Belgian Driver Thierry Neuville in the Lead
April 23, 2021 - Belgian driver Thierry Neuville (Hyundai i20) leads with three morning victories on the WRC Croatia Rally day one. Even with small delays in the four afternoon specials, he kept the top spot, while the current and seven-time world champion Frenchman Sebastien Ogier broke into second place (Toyota Yaris).
Ogier was the fastest in the last three special stages in the afternoon, reducing his gap to 7.7 seconds behind the Belgian asphalt specialist after the first day.
"I'm pretty happy with the first day. It was difficult for everyone, and after Kalle took off, our main goal was to try to use a good starting position, which we managed," said the leader Neuville, commenting on the afternoon three-stage victory of his great rival Sebastien Ogier.
"I have gone through enough fights with myself, and I know what he is capable of, just as he knows what I can do. Tomorrow’s stages will be challenging again, but I like them, and I hope to keep pushing as much as I can to keep you in the lead."
Luka Stanzl / PIXSELL
Britain’s Elfyn Evans (Toyota Yaris) is in the game for an overall win with 8.0 seconds behind Neuville. Estonian Ott Tanak (Hyundai i20 Coupe) is fourth, but he is 31.9 seconds behind the leader.
The first speed test of the Croatia Rally was also the last for the leader in the overall World Championship 20-year-old Finn Kalle Rovanperä, who landed off the road with his Toyota Yaris and ended up in an abyss overgrown with trees. Luckily, his co-driver Jonne Halttunen also got out of the car unscathed, but the car was so destroyed that Rovanperä will not be able to start on Saturday.
At the same turn in first gear, Ogier almost turned out but managed to stay on the road.
Unfortunately, among the seven crews that had to give up the competition on the first day were two Croatian teams. Vilim Prodan and co-driver Zoran Raštegorac (Ford Fiesta) were left without the possibility of continuing the rally after the third speed test due to a malfunction, and Martin Ravenščak with co-driver Tomislav Tomašković (Ford Fiesta) finished their appearance after the fifth speed, also due to technical problems.
Luka Stanzl / PIXSELL
The Saturday morning program starts at 8.29 am, with the speed test Mali Lipovac - Grdanjci, length 20.30 km. The first speed test in the afternoon part of the program will be run on the same section, starting at 14.29. On Saturday, the drivers are facing eight special stages.
Source: HRT
To follow the latest sports news in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.
To learn more about sport in Croatia, CLICK HERE.
12th World of Malvasia: International Evaluation for Vinistra
April 24, 2021 - The best overture for Vinistra is the international evaluation of the World of Malvasia, which took place for the 12th time, in the Parentium Plava Laguna hotel in Poreč, which from year to year breaks records in terms of quality and number of samples. Thus, 435 samples of wine and spirits arrived for this year's evaluation, of which 220 samples were Malvasia.
As hrturizam.hr reports, a new name on the wine scene, Denis Bernobić from Markovac near Višnjan, won the championship title in the category of fresh Malvasia. Competing with three other top Malvasias, his wine took the win. This is also the biggest surprise at evaluating wine and spirits and the 12th World of Malvasia, which was traditionally held in mid-April at the Parentium Plava Laguna Hotel in Poreč.
"The lineage has always been the foundation of the existence of us Istrians. My family has been in winemaking for four generations, but the focus has been on top-quality wines for the last few years. The championship title is a great success, I must admit a surprise, but also recognition and encouragement to continue in the same direction", said Denis Bernobić.
Malvasia Collina from the 2016 winery Cattunar from Nova Vas near Brtonigla is the champion in the category of mature Malvasia; Teran Barbarossa, Vina Tomaz from Motovun, won the championship title in the fresh Teran category; while in the mature category, that title went to the wine of Santa Lucia from 2018. Kozlović Winery from Momjan.
In the category of mature refoška, the champion is Capo d’Istria from 2013, Slovenian Vinakoper, and five big gold medals were awarded to wines that won more than 92 points. These are the 2015 San Salvatore Muscat White Benvenuti wines from Caldir; Muscat yellow from 2019. Capo wine from Fernetić; Malvasia volcanica from 1956 by Spanish manufacturer El Grifo Canari; Merlot from 2017 Siljan wines from Krnica, and Aura biska extra from 2021 from the Buzet distillery Aura also won big gold.
"We are extremely pleased that we have managed to organize such a demanding competition in these unusual times. I am pleased with the top quality of the champion wines and the fact that as many as five wines crossed the threshold of 92 points and won great gold", said Nikola Benvenuti in front of Vinistra.
Another 139 gold and 16 silver medals were awarded, while other manufacturers received diplomas. This year, the right to the IQ label - Istrian quality was exercised by 24 winemakers for Malvasia and seven winemakers for Teran.
The IQ - Istrian quality label is primarily intended to label high-quality wines produced from Istrian and Teran Malvasia grapes and encourage the development of production of these indigenous wines, raising the level of their quality production technologies and promotion and sales on the domestic and world markets. The IQ mark enables the consumer to recognize those Istrian wines whose quality is higher than the quality prescribed by the law for quality wines with the geographical origin and higher than what the customer usually requires and expects.
This is a unique, active wine control system in Croatia where winemakers themselves gradually raise the scoring threshold for wines bearing the IQ - Istrian Quality label to standardize and increase product quality. The IQ label guarantees an active quality control system that takes place on four levels: in the vineyard (yield control), in the cellar (vinification control), chemical analysis, and organoleptic evaluation, and after the label is awarded, market control is performed.
This is precisely how the quality of the wine region is strategically raised and branded. It is important to emphasize that the Association of Winemakers and Winegrowers of Istria was founded in 1994. Therefore, it is a continuous process and strategic goal of raising Istrian wines and branding Istria as a wine region.
Great results and championship titles are the best announcement of the 27th Vinistra, which is being held in the open air for the first time this year, in the Peškera bay in Poreč. Although it was initially announced that the 27th in a row Vinistra will be held from 7 to 9 May in Poreč, due to the epidemiological situation throughout Croatia, the organizers announced that they are changing the date and place of the event.
The exact date is not yet known. For now, the focus is on June. The organizers of Vinistra are optimistic and do not give up on organizing this year's Vinistra.
To find out more about Croatian Wine, click HERE.
Israeli Ambassador Ilan Mor: "For the Homeland Ready" Can't Be Both Symbol of Heroism and Evil
ZAGREB, 23 April, 2021 - Israeli Ambassador Ilan Mor has said in an interview with Hina that the Ustasha salute 'For the homeland ready' cannot simultaneously be a symbol of heroism and a symbol of evil, and pointed out the good example set by Germany and Austria where the glorification of Nazism is punishable by law.
The issue of the said salute used by Ustasha, allies of the German Nazis in the Second World War, is raised every April, when Croatia observes anniversaries of the breakout of inmates from the Ustasha-run concentration camp in Jasenovac in late April in 1945. The 1941-1945 Jasenovac camp was a site of torture and mass executions of ethnic Serbs, Jews, Roma and of Croats who opposed Nazism and Fascism.
Since the 1991-1995 Homeland War, the controversial salute, whose abbreviation in Croatian is ZDS, has been permissible at commemorations of fallen defenders who used to be members of the HOS unit and who had that salute on their uniforms during that war of independence. On the other hand, for years, Jewish associations have continued requesting that the use of the salute should be outlawed, just as in the case of "Heil Hitler" salute, as its use carries a prison sentence in Germany and Austria.
"In Vukovar, the 'Za Dom Spremni' salute is considered to be part of heroism of the place, fighting against occupier and in Jasenovac 'Za Dom Spremni' is symbol of evil. So, you have to decide, it can't be the same symbol for totally different points in your history," says the ambassador after he yesterday participated in the commemorations on the occasion of the 76th anniversary of the breakout of inmates from the Jasenovac death camp.
Jewish rep expects legislative changes penalising Ustasha salute to be passed by summer
The head of the Coordinating Committee of the Jewish Communities of Croatia, Ognjen Kraus, said on Thursday there was a realistic possibility for the parliament to vote in amendments to the Penal Code to penalise the use of the Ustasha salute "For the homeland ready" before its summer recess.
"I believe that there will be no problems in voting the changes in if the Prime Minister and the HDZ mean what they say," Kraus said when asked about the possibility of outlawing the Ustasha salute, an initiative he launched earlier this year.
Commenting on this statement, Ambassador Mor says: "You have to do something about it. I am not a lawyer, i am not Croat and can't give you 'yes' or 'no' (on imposing a prison sentence for that salute). In this case, Germany and Austria are very good role model."
Ambassador warns of attempts to downplay the Holocaust
Commenting on some global trends of downplaying the tragedy of the Holocaust, Mor said that a portion of the Croatian society used every opportunity to glorify the Ustasha troops and Ustasha leader Ante Pavelić.
As if nothing had happened, as if Jasenovac had not been an extermination camp but a labour camp. This is in contradiction with historical facts and the testimonies by those who survived that period, the ambassador said.
Mor went on to say that historians in Croatia and Serbia disagreed about the numbers of Serb victims in Jasenovac, and he said that it was unacceptable to reduce such a tragedy to the issue of numbers.
"If you want to live in peace, you have to do more then producing movies, you have to have real dialogue," he said alluding also to the recent Serbian film ("Dara iz Jasenovca") about this topic which has been perceived in Croatia as well as internationally as part of the nationalistic propaganda of Serbia's authorities.
Mor urged both Croatia and Serbia to let their archives be available to experts and so that they can arrive at a point acceptable to both sides.
The same should be applied when it comes to Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac, he said and called for resorting to dialogue to overcome different views on the events in the past.
In this context he mentioned the normalisation of the relations between his country and several Arab countries. Following the 1979 peace agreement with Egypt and the 1994 peace agreement with Jordan, Israel has renewed relations with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco in the past few months.
For more about politics in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.
