Hvar Tests Rapid Temperature Check Tech from Varazdin in Corona Fight
June 16, 2020 - Some new rapid temperature check software developed by a Croatian company in Varazdin is tested on the island of Hvar - an outstanding tool in the battle against corona, especially against the second wave.
This would be absolutely perfect for the island of Hvar, was my first reaction when the technology was shown to me and explained.
Croatia's premier island, whose most famous son, Ivan Vucetic, discovered the art of fingerprinting. The wellness island where organised tourism in Europe began in 1868 with the Hvar Health Society. And an island which did an outstanding job keeping its citizens safe during the corona era. Just two cases recorded, both recovered, both from islanders returning from jobs in Austria.
Jelsa on June 12, 2020, the place where this little story began on Hvar.
Some days earlier, I was at home in Varazdin when my web developer, Bernard Toplak from Exabyte, invited me to the 9th birthday party of his favourite team, NK Varteks. The party was 75 metres from my front door, and we had things to discuss and he had something to show me.
As TCN wrote previously, Bernard has developed Croatian software with Chinese technology to produce a rapid temperature check measuring system at a distance of 5 metres, which can process 30-40 people at one time and flag anyone with a higher temperature. Bernard explains more in the earlier TCN article as well as in the video at the end of this article.
The uses are multiple - borders, ferries, catamarans, hotels, kindergartens, old people's homes, hospitals, restaurants, sporting occasions. After a successful 2-week trial in a Varazdin hospital, Bernard agreed to let me try it somewhere else.
And where better than Hvar, especially I could persuade Suncani Hvar Hotels to accommodate Bernard and his family while we tried it out.
I wrote to the Hvar police chief, the mayors of Hvar, Stari Grad and Jelsa, the Hvar and Stari Grad tourist board directors, and Suncani Hvar Hotels. Almost all replied enthusiastically. And so it was that Bernard and I arrived on Hvar to present the idea to the police chief, Hvar and Stari Grad tourist boards, Stari Grad mayor and Suncani Hvar Hotels, once Bernard had checked in to Hotel Riva.
It was a very lively chat, with plenty of questions from all sides.
A quick demonstration in Hotel Riva before the main job the next day.
We started at the Stari Grad kindergarten, where national television was waiting.
And then to meet the team at the Stari Grad old people's home to demonstrate the system there.
The system identifies the head and measures the temperature under the eyes, producing a reading above the head of each person. And a red flag and alarm will appear for any high temperature. And the thermal imaging ensures no GDPR issues.
Next stop the Stari Grad ferry, where Radio Split took an interest.
Temperatures all ok on the 08:30 from Split.
Time to set up on the exclusive Hvar Riva.
Healthy passengers on the 12:30 Krilo catamaran.
Back to Jelsa, where my day had begun to catch passengers on the 18:10 catamaran arrival from Split.
A fascinating day, and a great tool in the fight against corona, especially should a second wave come. You can find the TCN video report of the day and an interview with Bernard in English below.
If you are looking for more information about the system and applications, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Animal Shelters and Associations in Croatia: Macke & Co in Split
June 16, 2020 - How are animals coping in Croatia in the corona era, and who is looking after them? A new TCN series meets the volunteers behind the animal shelters and associations around Croatia. Today, TCN meets Macke & Co from Split.
There are hundreds of incredible shelters and associations in Croatia working tirelessly, with little to no support, to ensure no animal is left behind. In a new TCN series, we meet the people behind the animals.
Today, TCN meets Donation Group Macke & Co from Split.
"Everyone who has ever walked through Split has surely noticed the large cat population. The warm climate suits them and instead of once a year, cats have more litters throughout the year. So many cats, of course, cannot survive without the help of humans. And the best way to help them is castration. In this way, their uncontrolled reproduction is prevented, and the number of sick and trampled on the streets is reduced. The goal of this group is to help them in just that way. Castrated cats have their ear marked, either by a V-shaped mark, or the very tip of the ear is removed. The V mark is common in Split. We invite you to join us by participating in auctions, sharing albums, and adding new members," begins the Facebook group description of Macke & Co, which is led by Olivera Bibic Biocic, Silvija Kelam, Natalija Randelovic, among others.
I was first introduced to Olivera after I feared one of the street cats hanging around my property would give birth to another litter of kittens. Of the last litter she had, I took in the one she abandoned, and the other two passed from an infection. I couldn't bear the thought of that happening again.
Based on the recommendation of a friend, I got in touch with Olivera to see if she could come over with a trap to catch the mother cat so she could be taken to the vet to be sterilized. Without hesitation, Olivera was there the next day - and each day after until the cats on my property were finally caught, taken to the vet, sterilized, recovered, and brought back to my property. I have admired Olivera and the team behind Macke & Co ever since.
While Macke & Co is not technically an animal shelter, its leaders have taken in hundreds of sick cats who they've nursed back to health for life on the street, or ultimately found them homes in Croatia or abroad, mostly in Germany.
"Since the beginning of the year, we have sterilized over 100 cats, cured dozens and put them back on the street, and we are trying to get the others adopted," said Olivera.
But without nearly any support from the city or state, Macke & Co must find creative ways to stay afloat for the street cats of Split.
Thus, the group regularly hosts auctions on its Facebook page with items donated by its members. Thanks to those that bid, they're able to fund many sterilizations and operations, should cats require additional medical care.
Olivera and her core team each house dozens of cats, all of which are either ready for adoption or are recovering after time at the vet.
The group is currently working on one Split habitat with over 30 cats who were regularly fed by the tenants, though only one had been sterilized. With the help of volunteers from the Sapama od Srce Association from Makarska, and with the financial support of German Association Fellnasen Stuttgart e.V., Macke & Co has already caught 22 for sterilizations!
But this is just part of the Macke & Co story.
If you're interested in getting involved in the auctions, would like to help foster or adopt, or simply just want to support Macke & Co in all of its endeavors to rehabilitate and sterilize the street cats of Split, be sure to join their Facebook group.
And if you're in Split? A bake sale will be held on Sunday, June 21, at Trogirska 8, from 10 am to 6 pm, where all proceeds from the baked goods bought will go directly to helping Macke & Co finance sterilizations!
Do you have an animal shelter or association in Croatia and want to share your story? Get in touch at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
To read more about lifestyle in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.
Novak Djokovic: Zadar Will Be Sports Center of World During Adria Tour
Jun 16, 2020 - At the end of this week, Zadar will be the sports center of the world, assures Novak Djokovic ahead of the Adria Tour tennis spectacle at SC Visnjik.
Jutarnji List reports that after Belgrade, Djokovic's Adria Tour will be held in Zadar from June 19 to 21, as part of which tennis stars such as Dominik Thiem, Aleksandar Zverev, and Grigor Dimitrov will come to Croatia. They will be joined by Croatian aces Marin Cilic and Borna Coric and many other tennis players and friends united by a humanitarian goal.
Since the coronavirus epidemic has calmed in the Balkans, today's best tennis player is spending his time on tennis courts, but also in meetings, because as the organizer of a tennis tournament, which is held in several countries, his hands are full.
"When the epidemic started, I was in daily contact with the players as well as with friends from the tennis federation. As time went on, the idea of organizing tournaments throughout the region began to crystallize, to allow tennis to live on after all. We followed the situation and realized that it was possible. And so it all began. With a lot of work, a lot of organization, and details, we set off.
At the end of the week, we started with the tournament in Belgrade and this week, we are in Zadar, later in Banja Luka and Sarajevo. As I am telling you this, I’m waiting to go out on the court and I’m so excited and happy that I can’t even describe it to you. It is unreal for me that at this time of year, in my city, in the whole region, I have the opportunity to play tennis with tennis players from the very top of the world, with my friends. This is a unique experience," said Djokovic in an exclusive interview for Jutarnji List just a few days before the spectacle in Zadar, in the newly opened regional center of the Croatian Tennis Federation.
"The tennis players who will be performing are all my friends, guys I get along great with, on and off the court. They were the only ones who could come, because it is not easy to get to Serbia or Zadar at this moment. In addition, both Dominik, Alexander and Georgi accepted the fact that this is a charity tournament, and this probably further prompted them to participate. Borna, Marin, Damir Džumhur - I agreed with them the fastest, because we have already been in our homes and cities, and of course, we understand this opportunity differently so that the whole world looks at our region across those days. That is a significant thing," Djokovic explains. Namely, as many as 110 countries will broadcast the Adria Tour tournament.
Nole, as his relatives and fans in his native Serbia call him, is of Montenegrin origin on his father Srdjana's side, and his mother, Dijana, is a Croat from Vinkovci. However, the tennis star had never been to Zadar, although he often spends his summers on the Adriatic.
"I really like the Adriatic, and I love the Croatian coast, generally the smell of the sea, pine forests. It has remained in my memory since I was little. We haven’t made a plan yet where we’re going this summer, as we don’t know anything. First of all, I am looking forward to coming and being in Zadar for the first time. I am grateful to all the tennis players who responded, to the Croatian Tennis Federation, to everyone in the organization, to the musicians who responded to the media, and I can't wait to go out on the court. This tournament will send a wonderful, strong and positive message to the whole world because Zadar will be the sports center of the world over those days," Djokovic emphasizes.
Namely, the first evening will be opened with a musical performance by Zlatan Stipisic Gibonni, on Saturday Petar Graso announced a dance spectacle, and on Sunday, a surprise guest awaits the visitors of the tournament.
To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.
Hajduk's David Colina and Dinamo's Antonio Marin Nominated for Golden Boy Award
June 16, 2020 - Two footballers from the Croatian First League, Hajduk's David Colina and Dinamo's Antonio Marin, are among the 100 promising young football players nominated for the Golden Boy award.
Namely, Nogomet Plus reports that the Golden Boy award, which was founded in 2003 by Tuttosport, chooses the best footballers under the age of 21 that play in European leagues.
Alongside Colina and Marin, among the nominees this year are stars such as Erling Halland and Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund, Vinicius and Rodrygo from Real Madrid, Ansua Fati from Barcelona, Phil Foden from Man City, and Callum Hudson-Odoi from Chelsea. Twenty of the best young players will advance to the finals, after which journalists will vote for the best.
Born in Zagreb,David Colina played in Dinamo’s youth system before joining Monaco in 2018. In July 2019, Colina signed a four-year contract with Hajduk Split.
Also born in Zagreb, Marin began his career with NK ZET and signed for the Dinamo Academy in 2009. While there was speculation he’d be going to giants like Milan, Manchester City, PSG or Juventus, he signed a three-year-long professional contract with Dinamo in October 2019.
In addition to Tuttosport, journalists from Bild (Germany), Blick (Switzerland), A Bole (Portugal), l'Équipe (France), France Football (France), Marca (Spain), Mundo Deportiv (Spain), Ta Nea (Greece), Sport Express (Russia), De Telegraaf (Netherlands) and The Times (United Kingdom) also took part in the voting.
The previous winners are Joao Felix, Matthijs de Ligt, Kylian Mbappe, Renato Sanches, Anthony Martial, Raheem Sterling, Paul Pogba, Isco, Mario Gotze, Mario Balotelli, Alexandre Pato, Anderson, Sergio Aguero, Cesc Fabregas, Lionel Messi and Wayne Ro Rafael van der Vaart.
The list of nominees can be seen on the Tuttosport website, where you can also vote for your favorite young footballer online.
Best of luck to David and Antonio!
To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.
VIDEO Hauser of 2Cellos Plays Solo Concert Adrift in Krka National Park
June 15, 2020 — One half of Croatia's most popular orchestral stringed-instrument duo held another concert, practicing extreme social distancing in a serene Croatian location.
Stjepan Hauser released his second "Alone, Together" video, this time filmed in Krka National Park. The 22-minute concert streamed on YouTube on June 15, garnering almost 100,000 views in its first hour. It features the cellist sitting on a rickety wooden chair familiar to many Croatian kitchens, keeping way more than two meters distance from the nearest person as he floats in the middle of a lake in Krka National Park. You can see his performance in the video below.
"After completing the 'Alone, Together' performance at the Arena Pula it occurred to me that with such beautiful locations nearby there is a fantastic opportunity to play my favorite repertoire in these extraordinary settings," Hauser said in a press release. "Not just one but a whole series of unique performances! It means so much to me to be able to connect with so many of you; even though I may be playing alone, we can still share that experience together. And the Krka waterfalls performance has a special significance for me as this one will go out on my birthday!"
The cellist released a similar concert video in April, at the height of the solo or Zoom concert wave that coincided with the coronavirus outbreak. His set in Pula's Arena has 1.6 million views so far and counting.
Hauser was part of the famous 2Cellos duo, which garnered critical and popular acclaim until it went on hiatus in 2018. The duo, Hauser and Luka Sulic, became famous for their covers of Top 40 pop music hits. Yet it was clear Hauser and Sulic chafed at becoming a novelty act.
Hauser's solo career has seen him shift over to reinterpretations of classical music staples, putting the cello at the center in his most recent solo album, Classic.
Bernardic: Restart has Best Team to Ensure Better Life for Citizens
ZAGREB, June 15, 2020 - The Restart Coalition on Monday submitted to the Electoral Commission slates for the parliamentary election, with its leader, SDP president Davor Bernardic, saying they "submitted winning slates with a team which well ensure a new start and better life for citizens."
"We are running in the parliamentary election with the best people and a clear plan on how to pull people out of the crisis and how to ensure the necessary new start for Croatia and a better life for all citizens," he told reporters.
In the first weeks after the election, we will form a smaller government and adopt resolute laws and measures which the incumbent government failed to adopt before the election was called, said Bernardic.
He reiterated that they would adopt a law on Zagreb's post-earthquake reconstruction, a law on a shorter work week to help retain jobs, and measures for the socially vulnerable, notably pensioners.
We will raise the minimum wage to HRK 4,000 and the non-taxable income to HRK 5,000 so that more than 700,000 workers will immediately have HRK 300 higher salaries, and we will help tourism by slashing VAT in this sector and hospitality to 10%, Bernardic said.
Our platform is based on five pillars, the first of which is boosting the economy and competitiveness, increasing agricultural production and exports, and attracting investment, he said.
The second is digital transformation, as the state should be closer to both citizens and businesses, the third is reforming state and local government, with emphasis on stronger decentralisation, the fourth is modernising healthcare, and the fifth is an uncompromising fight against corruption and judicial reform, said Bernardic.
A Croatia without corruption, injustice, poverty and discrimination
We have the best team and will be the government which adopts key decisions for the country's future, he said.
The choice is simple, we want a Croatia without corruption, injustice, poverty and discrimination. I call on citizens to go to the polls and vote for the Restart Coalition, which is the only alternative and the option for change, Bernardic said.
The choice is simple, either the HDZ or the Restart Coalition, either the old way with corruption or the Restart Coalition, he added.
Aladrovic: Situation on Labour Market Positive, Lay-Offs Not Expected
ZAGREB, June 15, 2020 - The situation on the labour market is positive and we do not expect any lay-offs because the government's measure to shorten the working week will additionally protect entrepreneurs, jobs and the economy overall, Labour and Pension System Minister Josip Aladrovic said on Monday.
"We are monitoring the situation on the labour market every day and after we successfully fought off the crisis, we have 16,000 more people employed than at the start of May," said Aladrovic after a signing ceremony for a project on managing state assets.
Aladrovic estimated that jobkeeping subsidies for May amounted to HRK 1.9 billion while the measures for June will cover 100,000 employees.
Speaking about the measure to shorten the working week, Aladrovic said that over the past three weeks the government had actively communicated with social partners and the ministries of finance and economy regarding the implementation of the European Commission's SURE jobkeeping programme.
"The task force will continue its work tomorrow when the last comments by our social partners arrive. We are very close to an agreement and I hope that over the next week we will announce what the measure will look like," he said.
Aladrovic concluded that in the coming period the government aims to preserve business activities through that measure for all affected enterprises.
Coric: Croatia Initiates Signing of Memorandum on Clean Energy for EU Islands
ZAGREB, June 15, 2020 - Minister of Environment and Energy Tomislav Coric said on Monday, after an informal video conference of EU energy ministers, that Croatia has initiated the signing of a memorandum of understanding for the implementation of the Declaration on Clean Energy for EU Islands.
"Croatia has initiated the signing of the Memorandum that is the successor of the Valleta Declaration and is aimed at advancing energy transition on the islands, while respecting the specificities of each island, and at expanding and strengthening cooperation between member states," Minister Coric said, as carried by a press release from his ministry.
Coric presented at the video conference the memorandum of understanding on the implementation of the Declaration on Clean Energy for EU Islands, dubbed the Memorandum of Split.
After the video conference, Coric recalled that two significant energy documents were adopted during Croatia's presidency of the EU - conclusions on the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the EU energy sector, and the said memorandum.
The memorandum takes into consideration the objectives of the Paris Climate Treaty, the European Green Deal, a climate-neutral EU by 2050, a package of laws related to clean energy for all Europeans and member states' national energy and climate plans, the press release said.
Serbia Opens Newly-Built Border Crossing with Croatia
ZAGREB, June 15, 2020 - The newly-built border crossing Sot-Principovac on the Serbia-Croatia border, which is expected to relieve big crossing at Batrovci and Sid during peak summer and holiday traffic, was inaugurated on Friday, Serbia's Customs Administration said on Monday.
The crossing is envisaged for passenger vehicles, buses and empty lorries. Last year the old crossing was used by 350,000 passengers and 40,000 empty lorries circulating between the two states.
Sot-Principovac is one of the nine Serbia-Croatia border crossings. It now has two lanes for entering and exiting Serbia.
PM: Coronavirus Diagnostic Device Already in Croatia
ZAGREB, June 15, 2020 - During a visit to the Dr. Fran Mihaljevic Infectious Diseases Hospital in Zagreb on Monday, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said that a COBAS 6800 diagnostic device that can isolate more than 1,500 samples of coronavirus in 24 hours, will accelerate and advance diagnosing the disease.
The government helped procure protective equipment, including the HRK 3 million device, during the coronavirus epidemic through direct contact with Christoph Franz, the chief executive of the pharmaceutical company Roche.
"The global demand for these devices is enormous, and we did everything so that one of them arrives as quickly as possible to the hospital," he said.
The prime minister underlined the brilliant relations with Roche CEO Franz, who has proven to be exceptionally benevolent to Croatia.
Plenkovic recalled the example of children suffering from Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) in Croatia who were given Roche medication free of charge. Roche is also working on a large oncology project of personalised diagnostics with Zagreb's Rebro University Hospital.
The prime minister also thanked health staff and experts who had contributed greatly in the fight against COVID-19 in Croatia.
"In comparison to other countries, I think that overall we can be proud of our health workers and the way they have defended us from this pandemic, and I thank them," Plenkovic underlined.
Markotic: Apparatus essential for a second wave and for tourism
The director of the Infectious Diseases Hospital, Alemka Markotic, thanked the government for its support at the height of the coronavirus epidemic.
Thanks to the government we managed to obtain this apparatus. This automated device can test twice as many samples a day, more than 1,500 in 24 hours, she underscored.
"That is great in the event of a second wave of the infection and for sporadic situations, and having enhanced diagnostic capacities is also important for tourism," said Markotic.
She added that the apparatus is worth more than HRK 3 million but that the state will not have to pay that amount and that it has been given the apparatus for use.
We will have to buy reagents, and in addition to testing for COVID-19, the apparatus can be used to detect HIV, hepatitis, HPV and other viruses, Markotic said.
There are currently two COVID-19 patients being treated at the hospital. Tests will be conducted according to the same protocol as until now and currently about 300 samples are tested each day, she said.
She added that serological tests among health staff have been completed and the results should be known soon.
