The Croatian Diaspora

May 20, 2019 - The 2nd International Conference on Croatian Diaspora Tourism took place in Split last week. It was an inspiring - and thought-provoking - few days.  It was quite an event. And, a couple of days later, I am still trying to collect my thoughts, as are several participants I spoke to. A wave of emotions, inspirations, discoveries and great company.  And I am not even Croatian, so I can only imagine what it was like for the rest.  Let me start by saying that if I had to choose a team to build a country, I…

May 18, 2019 - The 2nd International Conference on Diaspora Tourism opened in Split on Friday, May 17, 2019.  Tourism and business links between Croatia and its diaspora are improving, with the latest diaspora conference currently taking place in Split.  The conference opened on Friday morning at the Milesi Palace by host Edita Lučić Jelić. After the welcoming speeches, which featured the organisers and representatives of the Ministry of Tourism, the many themes of the conference were introduced, which include topics like experiences of diaspora tourism, investment foundation in tourism, promotion of diaspora tourism by emigrants in the countries where…

ZAGREB, May 18, 2019 - The Croat community in Serbia is in possession of a part of the house where Ban (Viceroy) Josip Jelačić, who served as the governor of Croatia from 1848 to 1859, was born, after the Serbian government donated 600,000 euro for its purchase, but it still does not serve as the community centre of ethnic Croats, which will be its purpose, a conference said in Petrovaradin, a section of Novi Sad, on Friday. "So far the Croats of Petrovaradin have not had any space to meet and show and promote their culture. We will have at…

The 2nd International Conference on Diaspora Tourism opens in Split on May 17, 2019. In the build-up to the conference, TCN meets some of the returning diaspora who have made a success of life in Croatia. Next up, Tanja J. Polegubic. 1. Born in Australia, returned to Croatia, something that many diaspora dream of doing. Tell us briefly about your journey. I’ve now got an office with a balcony overlooking Split Riva and Harbour - which is surprising, as I never expected to be living here. I was always adamant Croatia would only ever be a holiday destination. The ability…

The 2nd International Conference on Diaspora Tourism opens in Split on May 17, 2019. In the build-up to the conference, TCN meets some of the returning diaspora who have made a success of life in Croatia. Next up, Korana Bucic. Born in Australia, returned to Croatia, something that many diaspora dream of doing. Tell us briefly about your journey. It’s been a wild ride, to say the least. Maria and I moved here in 2006 and opened up Booze and Snooze Hostel, which was the first registered hostel in Split. Over the years, we have expanded the company by opening…

The 2nd International Conference on Diaspora Tourism opens in Split on May 17, 2019. In the build-up to the conference, TCN meets some of the returning diaspora who have made a success of life in Croatia. Next up, Eugene Brcic Jones. With so many young people emigrating from Croatia due to lack of opportunity, there are a number of the Croatian diaspora looking to move in the opposite direction and return to the Homeland. Few actually make the move, for a variety of reasons: the uncertainty of what awaits, lack of much available information of the realities of the process…

ZAGREB, May 11, 2019 - The authorities of the Republika Srpska (RS), the Serb entity in Bosnia and Herzegovina, will earmark additional funds to complete the reconstruction of 456 family homes for ethnic Croats, it was said on Friday after a meeting of Croat representatives and the newly appointed director of the secretariat for displaced persons and migration. A press release issued after the meeting in Banja Luka says that the director of the secretariat for displaced persons and migration, Dragan Štrbac, informed RS Vice President Josip Jerković (HDZ BiH) of several projects earmarked for Croat displaced persons. Štrbac said…

The 2nd International Conference on Diaspora Tourism opens in Split on May 17, 2019. In the build-up to the conference, TCN meets some of the returning diaspora who have made a success of life in Croatia. Meet Mate Begonja from near Zadar. With so many young people emigrating from Croatia due to lack of opportunity, there are a number of the Croatian diaspora looking to move in the opposite direction and return to the Homeland. Few actually make the move, for a variety of reasons: the uncertainty of what awaits, lack of much available information of the realities of the…

Please let me share with you all that we have scheduled a special music and wine tasting event on Friday, May 31st to benefit the wonderful Special Olympics organization in Croatia. The welcoming reception for the National Federation of Croatian Americans Cultural Foundation (NFCA) and co-hosted by the Croatian Fraternal Union (CFU) is set for 6:30 to 8:30 pm at the CFU Headquarters in Monroeville, Pennsylvania and will feature beautiful Croatian music and Croatian wines, including Posip, Grasevina, Malvazija, and Plavac Mali. Also, we will taste and savor one case of the world class and world famous Grgich Hills Chardonnay,…

The 2nd International Conference on Diaspora Tourism opens in Split on May 17, 2019. In the build-up to the conference, TCN meets some of the returning diaspora who have made a success of life in Croatia. We start with one of our favourite stories, Maria Mustapic in Split.   With so many young people emigrating from Croatia due to lack of opportunity, there are a number of the Croatian diaspora looking to move in the opposite direction and return to the Homeland. Few actually make the move, for a variety of reasons: the uncertainty of what awaits, lack of much available…