May 21, 2021 - A special program was prepared by the Aquatika Freshwater Aquarium Karlovac every day this weekend, to celebrate different but special occasions.

Turistickeprice.hr reports that, to mark the Day of the Natura 2000 ecological network, which is celebrated today, the Croatia Nature Protection Day on Saturday, May 22, and the World Turtle Day, on Sunday, May 23, the Public Institution Aquatika Freshwater Aquarium Karlovac have prepared a special program.

Credit: Aquatika Freshwater Aquarium Karlovac Facebook Page

Natura 2000 is an ecological network made up of areas across the European Union inhabited by animal and plant species that are endangered, vulnerable, or on the verge of extinction for various reasons. The European Union has established the Natura 2000 ecological network, and all members of the European Union are obliged to protect such endangered habitats and animal species.

The goal of the ecological network is to preserve or restore favorable conditions for more than a thousand endangered and rare species and for about 230 natural and pre-natural habitat types. This ecological network includes about 20% of the territory of the European Union, or about 27,500 areas, which makes it the largest system of preserved areas in the world. The Natura 2000 site has its own special day, and it is May 21st. On this day, in 1992, the European Habitats Directive and the LIFE Program were approved. With the Birds Directive, they form the basis for the European Natura 2000 network.

To commemorate the day the United Nations adopted the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1992, May 22 is celebrated as International Day for Biological Diversity. All signatory countries to the Convention, including Croatia, have committed themselves to take the measures necessary for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. This day is also celebrated in Croatia as Nature Protection Day.

On the Aquatika Square and on the promenade created within the project "Encounter with the River", the Karlovac Freshwater Aquarium is organizing an event as part of the "Spring in Karlovac" event. Thus, on Saturday, May 22, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., educational animation for children will be organized on Aquatika Square. The topic will be the biological diversity of our rivers and nature protection. On the promenade, three educators with two holograms and a stand with promotional materials will promote the ecological network Natura 2000 and educate visitors.

Credit: Aquatika Freshwater Aquarium Karlovac Facebook Page

Aquatika will mark another important day, World Turtle Day on Sunday. On that occasion, they will have turtle feeding with education about their life habits, as well as the artistic expression on the topic of turtles.

For more on travel in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

May the 19th, 2021 - One Karlovac company from Vojnic is engaged in the innovative creation of prefabricated construction elements, which comes as a pleasant piece of information following the earthquakes which struck Zagreb and Sisak-Moslavina in March and December 2020.

As Poslovni Dnevnik/Darko Bicak writes, although the construction sector in the modern economy is always one of the carriers of overall development, for example in Germany it constantly accounts for 10 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), in Croatia it is now additionally relevant due to the earthquakes of 2020 and the need for the comprehensive reconstruction of both Zagreb and Banovina.

Prefabricated construction on the Croatia market is quite a new trend, but brick construction is a centuries-old tradition and brick is certainly the most common material in construction in general, with more or less everyone still very much relying on such traditional forms of construction.

The construction sector and the production of construction materials themselves hold a significant share in the Croatian economy. The market, which is supplied with seemingly identical products, now requires innovative ideas and creative products that bring solutions which are more advanced than others.

One such solution to the Croatian construction sector is provided by Redbloc S.E.E. from Vojnic with its innovative system of prefabricated building elements that has been used throughout Europe for more than fifteen years now.

As this Karlovac company points out, Redbloc's technology is the only system on the market today that can efficiently produce prefabricated parts from building materials of mineral origin and allows for the production of semi-finished brick walls in just a few hours.

With this innovative system, it's possible to produce up to 400 square metres of prefabricated brick wall in one day, which can be delivered to a construction site in a very short period of time. The elements are ready for transport within an hour after production. Recently, the Karlovac company Redbloc S.E.E. and the City of Karlovac have signed an agreement on the purchase and sale of land on which the construction of a production plant is planned.

“The most modern robotic technology in terms of semi-finished construction elements is the future of construction and brings easy, rapid, massive and fully automated solutions. Complete automation undoubtedly represents a revolution in the construction of family houses, apartment buildings and industrial buildings.

The Karlovac company's prefabricated brick system integrates all quality segments that characterise a conventionally built solid brick house, using the efficiency of prefabricated construction methods. I hope that the production plant of our company will provide new employment opportunities for the population of Karlovac and its surroundings by the end of the year, when we intend to start production,'' explained the company director Ante Andresi.

From Karlovac, they point out that the company Redbloc S.E.E. certainly contributes to the development of the local and overall economy, using building materials from Croatian manufacturers such as the Wienerberger brick factory in Karlovac.

For more, follow Made in Croatia.

ZAGREB, 18 May, 2021 - Davor Petračić, an independent candidate for the mayor of Karlovac backed by the Social Democratic Party (SDP), on Tuesday reported to the police having received a death threat. He has refused police protection, but hopes the perpetrator will be identified soon.

Petračić found a letter in his post box containing a bullet and a message saying "the real one comes through the barrel."

"I don't have anything against anyone, I defended this city in the war and will try to defend it once again," Petračić said, adding that he hoped the police would find the perpetrator.

Police spokeswoman Andreja Lenart confirmed to Hina that police had received Petračić's report and were investigating.

The incident was condemned by Petračić's political rival in the 30 May runoff, current mayor Damir Mandić of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), as well as by the county branches of the SDP, HDZ, Homeland Movement and Croatian Party of Rights (HSP).

For more about politics in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

April 16, 2021 - The global promotion of Croatia Rally is said to be around EUR 40 million, positioning the country on the map of motorsports fans worldwide.

There is one week left until the start of the biggest sporting event in Croatia this year - the Croatia Rally, the third stage of the World Rally Championship (WRC). It is a sports spectacle of the highest level that will put Croatia on the automotive map of the world, and in addition to its sporting size, the event also brings a significant economic and tourist impact, reports HRTurizam.

Analyzes show that the value of global media visibility for Croatia alone from the Croatia Rally is over 40 million euro. Apart from the media value, Croatia Rally is also of great importance for the image of Croatia because it positions the country on the map of motorsports fans worldwide.

"Although the coronavirus and restrictions prevented us from realizing all the ideas we had, Croatia Rally will bring us global visibility among hundreds of millions of WRC fans around the world this year as well. It is important that we show the FIA ​​and the WRC Promoter that we are a reliable partner and justify the tremendous trust they have given us. I am sure that, thanks to the hard-working team that works day and night and our loyal partners, we will succeed in this plan and show that Croatia deserves to host this great event," said Daniel Šaškin, President of the Croatia Rally Organizing Committee.

Under strict epidemiological standards, 1,200 participants of the competition - drivers and support staff - will arrive in Zagreb, and the event will be watched online or live by about 1,500 journalists and camera crews.

"Sport is once again functioning as an ambassador for branding Croatian tourism because it is an excellent indirect way to attract the attention of the world public and create interest in Croatia. Global publicity with a strong media reach that we get by participating in the WRC has a stronger effect on potential consumers in tourism compared to paid tourism advertising, and thus is a very effective part of integrated marketing communication in Croatia as a tourist destination," said Sanja Čižmar, consultant at hospitality and company director 505 Consulting.

Portugal often stands out as an example of a country that has made very good use of the World Rally Championship potential. 

Studies show that the direct spending of fans, organizations, and teams during Rally Portugal 2019 exceeded 73 million euro. And it is with Portugal, which has made great use of the potential of organizing the WRC stage, that Croatia very often compares itself in terms of tourism.

"We must not neglect the economic effects that Croatia can achieve. Although the current year is marked by a pandemic and most of the economic impact of this global spectacle will be absent, an important aspect is that the race takes place in April, thus drawing public attention and potentially creating effects outside the main summer season. In addition, economic research conducted by Croatian scientific institutions several years ago showed that the estimated generated consumption in a stable market situation according to the conservative scenario is over 22 million euro. Although this level of effects will not be fully achieved this year due to pandemic restrictions, Croatia has the opportunity to host the World Cup in the coming years, when significant economic effects are expected," adds Čižmar.

Relevant research by economic analysts shows that the direct economic effects of the organization of the World Rally Championship are realized primarily in the activities of transport, catering, and accommodation, but also through accompanying events.

In addition to generating the consumption of visitors, journalists, and participants, the attractiveness of the landscape, road infrastructure, and local eno-gastronomic specialties will be promoted in parallel. International research also indicates that a very large proportion of WRC visitors visiting their destination for the first time intend to return for a tourist visit.

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

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April 9, 2021 - Everything is ready for the Croatia Rally 2021, and the best rally crews in the world have already started testing the Croatian asphalt.

Today's most famous rally drivers will collect points for the World Rally Championship (WRC) from April 22 to 25 at the Croatia Rally. Croatia is the third stage in this year's WRC calendar, and it will be driven on the local roads of Zagreb, Karlovac, and Krapina-Zagorje counties, and the City of Zagreb, reports GP1.

At today's press conference, a detailed plan of all upcoming activities as part of the sports spectacle in Croatia for the first time was presented. The plan was presented by Daniel Šaškin, President of the Croatia Rally Organizing Committee, Davorin Štetner, President of the Croatian Car and Karting Association, Slaven Dedić, Director of Croatia Rally, and Željko Štefanić, director of the Croatia Rally competition. Support was also given by Tomislav Družak, State Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, and Milan Pavelić, Head of the Zagreb City Office for Sports and Youth. WRC Director-General Jona Siebel also addressed the audience with a video message. The press conference was attended by Krešimir Šamija, Director of the Sports Directorate at the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.

"After years of preparation and thousands of hours of work, we have only 13 days left until the start of the World Rally Championship in Croatia. We are extremely proud and excited that today's best drivers will race on our roads and that we have succeeded in our intention to make Croatia part of a top rally story that is watched by almost a billion spectators around the world every year. It is a great success that would not have happened without our partners and sponsors' strong support, whom I thank from the bottom of my heart. It should be mentioned more than a thousand people will work hard to organize the largest sporting event in our country after many years. The eyes of the entire automotive world will be fixed on our country these few weeks, and I am sure that we will justify the trust of the FIA and the WRC Promoter," said Daniel Šaškin.

The best crews in the world can expect a total of 300 kilometers of speed tests, which are characterized by narrow and winding roads with numerous passes. The Croatian stage of the World Rally Championship is characteristic because it is the first completely asphalt rally this season. Numerous changes to the asphalt surface will require teams to adjust vehicle settings and find optimal tires.

"By organizing this spectacle in challenging conditions, we will show that Croatia is a responsible partner for the world's biggest events. With the strong support of primarily the City of Zagreb and other local government units, the Croatian police, firefighters, and other institutions, and of course, many Croatian automotive clubs, we are ready for the final step of the organization itself. In April 1906, 115 years ago, the First Croatian Automobile Club was founded - the predecessor of the Croatian Car and Karting Association, and we will mark this great anniversary during the WRC race. The most important people in world sports led by FIA President Jean Todt have announced their arrival in Croatia. Croatia is expecting incredible media promotion at the international level because hundreds of the world's strongest media report on the event," added Davorin Štetner.

A total of 68 crews have been confirmed for the Croatia Rally, and Croatia will have as many as seven representatives - Niko Pulić, Viliam Prodan, Martin Ravenščak, Krešimir Ravenščak, Ivica Siladić, Mateo Butorac, and Željko Magličić. It should be noted that Pulić is registered to compete in the elite WRC class, while other local representatives will drive in Rally4 vehicles with front-wheel drive.

Experts point out that among the favorites to win the Croatia Rally is Belgian Thierry Neuville, who is the best on asphalt. He will fight for the trophy with rally legend and seven-time world champion Sébastien Ogier. His performance was confirmed by Estonian Ott Tänak, who is currently fifth in the overall standings. The biggest surprise this season, the young 20-year-old Finn Kalle Rovanperä, leads in the overall standings after 4th place in Monte Carlo and 2nd at home in Finland.

-You can follow all information and news on the official website rally-croatia.com and the official channels on Facebook and Instagram.

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April 7, 2021 - Wine lovers and all nature lovers will be able to delight their palates and enjoy the beautiful Vivodina slopes in the Žumberak - Samoborsko Gorje Nature Park, all while respecting epidemiological measures, during the Vivodina Wine and Walk event!

Tourist and recreational event Vivodina Wine and Walk will be held for the first time in Karlovac County. It is a great opportunity to get to know the wine-growing region and local eco gastronomy. Participants can expect a large selection of quality and top wines and enjoy the picturesque landscape of the nature park.

Turistickeprice.hr reports participants of this year's event will have the opportunity to visit eight wineries through a six-hour walk during which they will be able to enjoy all the delicacies of the Vivodina region. At each of the points, the host will be welcomed and will be able to taste the best wines and discover the secrets of Vivodina wine from the owners of wine cellars. The organizers announced that they will welcome the participants at certain points with additional surprises, especially for those who are coming to Vivodina for the first time.

Pixabay

The beginning of the walk starts from the wine cellar of Josip Vrbanek along the river Kupa which goes uphill to the center of Vivodina. In contrast, the second half of the walk is light intensity and completely downhill. The complete route passes right next to the vineyards and beautiful places of the Vivodina region, located within the Žumberak - Samoborsko Gorje Nature Park. It follows the section on which the World Rally Championship will take place a week later.

Starter packs include a personalized glass, a start number for free wine consumption, a ticket with marked refreshment stations, vouchers for lunch and refreshments at various wine stations, a bottle of water, and a guided tour by expert guides.

"We invite all those interested in securing their place for unforgettable socializing, either with family or their friends," said the Tourist Board of Karlovac County. If you are coming by highway, the easiest way is to get off the highway in Karlovac and follow the direction of Ozalj. After the old town of Ozalj, the main road leads along the river Kupa, which is located on the right. The beginning of the wine and walk trail is located immediately after crossing the bridge and turning for Vivodina on the right side, where it is also the first stop of this adventure.

After a pleasant time in Vivodina, do not forget to visit other attractions in Karlovac County. You can find more information in the online guide.

The organizers of this event are AK Marathon 2000, Association of Winegrowers, Winemakers, and Fruit Growers Ozalj with the support of destination partners of the Regional Tourist Board of Karlovac County, the Tourist Board of the Cup area, and the Žumberak - Samoborsko Gorje Nature Park.

For more about lifestyle and events in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

March 23, 2021 - We're less than a month away until the start of the Croatia Rally 2021, the third race of the World Rally Championship.

HRT reports that this year, there will be more than 300 km of special stages at the Croatia Rally. Due to the epidemiological situation, the Super Special speed test will not be held at the Zagreb Fair. Still, the itinerary remains attractive and challenging enough for the best drivers in the world. The best crews and speedsters in the world will thus race in Croatia, particularly in the area of Zagreb and Zagreb, Karlovac, and Krapina-Zagorje counties.

The competition will begin with a ceremonial start in front of the National and University Library in Zagreb on April 22. It will last until April 25, when crews are expected to finish at Zagreb's St. Mark's Square.

"We hoped until the last moment and believed that we would be able to organize races at the Fair. But the epidemiological situation did not go our way. These are tests that would gather a larger number of people in a small space, and part would be driven inside the pavilion, so it would be difficult or impossible to maintain the prescribed epidemiological distance. The health of all participants is our number one priority, and we decided to shorten the itinerary. The rest of the competition will be held according to the schedule," said the Croatia Rally president of the Organizing Committee, Daniel Šaškin.

Despite the shortened route, Croatia Rally remains the first competition with more than 300 km of speed tests after the Rally Catalunya - Costa Daruda 2019. FIA ​​and WRC delegates were satisfied with what was seen in Croatia during last week's inspection. They believe holding the rally in a big city like Zagreb is a big plus, where, in addition to service, there will also be locations for the ceremonial start and finish. They also rated the speed tests as attractive and challenging.

"What makes us happy are the applications, and it is already clear that all WRC stars will be driving in Croatia, who will be fighting for important championship points on our tracks. Conceptually, after shortening the Croatia Rally route, it did not change significantly. The only location that will not be driven is at the Fair, near the service parking lot, and all other locations outside Zagreb will remain as planned. Friday and Saturday are reserved for expressways in the Samobor hills, Žumberak, and the Karlovac area. On Sunday, they will drive across Sljeme and in the vicinity of Kumrovec," said rally director Slaven Dedić.

Croatia Rally will score points for WRC, WRC-2, WRC-3, and Junior WRC. There will be a big fight in all classes, and currently leading in the strongest category is 20-year-old Finn Kalle Rovanperä, a Toyota driver. Second place is held by Belgian Thierry Neuville from Hyundai, while third is the seven-time world champion, Frenchman Sebastien Ogier from Toyota.

It is expected that the teams in Croatia will present the latest evolutions of cars for the first time because, in the first two competitions of the season, they did not need the maximum potential of competition vehicles due to wet and snowy conditions. The organizers still hope that the spectacle will not pass without spectators.

"In Estonia last year, the authorities allowed the holding of WRC competitions with the public in specially designated zones. I believe that something similar could be organized in Croatia. We have 150 kilometers of tracks, which potentially offer views from the road's left and right sides. There is no shortage of room to keep the epidemiological distance, and we have prepared special COVID protocols. They will have to be adhered to by all participants, officials, and spectators if allowed to come. For those who will not be able to be by the track, there are broadcasts on Croatian Radio and Television that I believe will have a large audience," concluded Šaškin.

You can read more about Croatia Rally 2021 HERE.

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

ZAGREB, 6 March, 2021 - In the last year, the Green Phone Network received about 2,500 calls from Croatian citizens about environmental issues in the country, and most of those reports referred to waste.

Every citizen of the Republic of Croatia may report an environmental problem or request information on the number 072 123 456, the network which includes nine environmentalist associations, says on its web site.

One in four calls about inappropriate waste disposal 

In 2020, most of the calls were warnings about the inappropriate waste disposal (every one in four calls), while class about construction detrimental to the environment made up 10.89% of those 2,500 calls. 

Citizens complained about a poor air quality (10.41%) and about damage done to the greenery (9.61%).

Also some of the calls were about noise, traffic, environmental issues concerning forests, soil and animals.

After the establishment of the first Green Phone in 1992, other associations decided to launch the same service.

Thus in September 1999, with the financial support of USAID (United States Agency for International Development), Green Phone networks were established by seven associations for environmental protection: Zelena Akcija from Zagreb, Eko Pan from Karlovac, Environmental Society Žmergo from Opatija, Zelena Istra from Pula, Sunce from Split, Kap Života from Gospić, and the Society for the Protection of Nature og Slavonija i Baranja from Osijek.

In 2003, within the project "Strengthening the Green Phone Network", financed by the European Commission, five other environmental organisations joined the Network, and one in 2007. One member left the Network in 2010, so it now comprises nine associations: Zelena Akcija from Zagreb, Eko Pan from Karlovac, Environmental Society Žmergo from Opatija, Zelena Istra from Pula, Sunce from Split, ZEO Nobilis from Čakovec, Zeleni Osijek from Osijek, Eko Zadar from Zadar, and Krka from Knin.

The aim of the Green Phone is to encourage citizens to actively participate in environmental protection and to encourage the competent institutions to solve environmental problems more efficiently.

ZAGREB, 4 March, 2021 - Tenants and users of state-owned flats and business premises from Sisak-Moslavina, Karlovac, Zagreb and Krapina-Zagorje counties and the City of Zagreb will be exempt from the obligation to pay rent or fee for the use of state-owned flats and business premises.

The decision was made by the Croatian government on Thursday because of the consequences of the earthquakes that struck the four counties and Zagreb on 28 and 29 December last year.

Tenants and users of state-owned real estate will be exempt from payment starting from January 2021 until it becomes possible again to use business premises and flats damaged in the earthquake.

The Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction and State Property is authorised, Minister Darko Horvat explained, to exempt tenants and users of state-owned property from the obligation to pay rent or fee for the use of state-owned flats and business premises which are managed by the ministry and have been declared as unfit for use following examination.

Since some of the state-owned flats and business premises are managed by the Državne Nekretnine company, the company's assembly is in charge of making the necessary decisions and taking the necessary actions to grant the exemption.

The government also authorised the Central State Office for Reconstruction and Housing to exempt users of state-owned housing units in Sisak-Moslavina and Karlovac counties from paying rent due to the consequences of the earthquakes after 28 December last year.

ZAGREB, 26 February, 2021 - Zagreb, Karlovac and Sisak-Moslavina counties have, by signing a letter of intent on Thursday night, shown interest in common development and in that regard, a development agreement is being prepared for signing for about ten projects valued at €50 million and more, the Karlovac County administration said.

On Thursday evening the three county prefects and heads of their development agencies met with Veterans' Affairs Minister Tomo Medved and Minister of Regional Development and EU Funds Nataša Tramišak, and during the meeting it was said that the Regional Development Act enables strategic objectives to be achieved faster through common areas of cooperation and by financing joint projects from EU and national sources.

Tramišak described the development agreement as a "tool to achieve strategic development" and one of the preconditions is to select with the ministry about 10 strategic projects, each with an individual value of €50 million or more, that will require the support of several ministries and guarantee the development of the counties.

Medved offered his full support to the efforts for a joint development agreement between the three counties to be signed because that will enable an equal regional development and broader support from the government and relevant ministries for individual projects.

County prefects Martina Furdek Hajdin, Ivo Žinić and Stjepan Kožić agreed that the problems encountered by all three counties are very similar, from floods to a poor demographic situation and sparsely settled rural areas that cannot compete with developed European regions.

Žinić believes that development would benefit from projects for transport infrastructure and religious, health and conference tourism, while Kožić believes that the urgent repairs in the aftermath of the earthquakes are a priority as that would prevent migration. Kožić also believes that one of the most urgent priorities is broadband Internet.

Furdek Hajdin cited agriculture and tourism as possible projects for cooperation.

"It is up to us how we will prioritise the development of our counties, and European funds will contribute towards achieving the set objectives in the National Development Strategy until 2030. In that regard, the support of the government and its ministries is of exceptional importance," Furdek Hajdin said.