February 21, 2021 - Three Petrinja siblings have launched a humanitarian action to renovate the town's wrestling hall, purchase sports equipment, and completely renovate the Petrinja Children’s Orchestra premises. TCN meets Iva, Sanja, and Tin Petračić, who are on a mission to build a better future in their native Petrinja, where a 6.4 magnitude earthquake devastated the area back in December. 

"For the last few weeks, the whole world has been hearing and reading about the city of Petrinja as a whole, but we now need to draw closer attention to these two great Petrinjian symbols that have proudly helped put the city on the map. They have written many strong verses in Petrinja’s history, but now, with this unfortunate catastrophe occurring, their future is in doubt."

TCN met with Iva Petračić to learn more about their cause. 

"Our family has always been in Petrinja. Our last name Petračić first appeared on the city fortress military unit lists at the beginning of the 17th century," began Iva on their family's connection to Petrinja. Iva, a medical student on her way to becoming a pediatric surgeon, is joined in the humanitarian action by sister Sanja, a consulting company director and certified auditor, and bother Tin, who works in kinesiology.

Siniša Miholjević

Iva was taking a shower after a long morning of exams when the earthquake rocked Petrinja on December 29, while Tin and Sanja were in Zagreb.

"Tin came to Petrinja an hour after the earthquake hit, and Sanja stayed in Zagreb with her kids. My mom Vesna and I went to Zagreb that afternoon after cleaning up the glass and everything that broke in the house," Iva said. 

Their dad Miroslav and Sanja’s husband were in Petrinja every day for the week that followed. 

"We are all still in shock, but it’s getting better by the day. I moved to Split, and it still feels like the ground is shaking. A lot of noises remind you of that terrible earthquake sound, and chills run down your spine.

The street starts to shake every time a big truck passes, and that is a terrible feeling I never thought I'd be scared of," Iva said of how she's coping in the aftermath of the quake.  

Iva, Sanja, and Tin have now launched a humanitarian action, joined by the love of their Petrinja and everything it has to offer.

"We want to show that to everyone," Iva added. 

But why the local wrestling club and children's orchestra?

"The Petrinja Wrestling Club is an institution in the city, being the entry point and then springboard for many youngsters to take their first steps onto the mat, honing their skills further, to successfully competing at the highest levels. Their honors include winning six Croatian national championships and five in the former state. Alumni of the Petrinja Wrestling Club include Vlado Lisjak, the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics gold medal winner, and Milan Nenadić, the 1972 Munich Olympic Games bronze medalist as well as many other notable fighters at all levels, many of whom found things such as happiness, camaraderie, and self-discipline from its teachings," Iva said. 

"Petrinja’s wind orchestra Gradska limena glazba is one of the oldest orchestras in the country - 213 years old. It has represented Petrinja both nationally and internationally and has become a fine symbol of our great city. Whether it be the clarinet, the french horn, the saxophone, or the good old trumpet, through the group, many children have been a part of learning and experiencing the wonder and joy that comes from being able to play an instrument. Despite existing in various forms and through different states and arrangements, the orchestra has never previously interrupted its work for a longer period of time than this.

We hope to help as much as we can to bring back these two amazing institutions. We have many children in the city, and we have to maintain the activities for them. We hope to raise as much as we can. Whatever amount we raise it’s going 50/50, to the wrestling club and the orchestra," she continued. 

Iva said the response thus far has been good, but she knows they can do better. All media coverage is welcome as it helps people find their Facebook page or website. 

"Petrinja is an amazing city to grow up in; there is no hate, no bad looks when you walk down the street. Petrinja is a city of education, a city of sport. We have so much, and yet people have never heard about us. They all know about Gavrilović, but how many people know that Gavrilović is in Petrinja?

I really wish that after all of this, people will come to Petrinja and see all of its beauty first hand. And most importantly, do not forget about us," Iva concluded. 

"Together, we now have the opportunity to rebuild their future and keep the eternal flames of culture and sports alive in Petrinja. From the reedy lull of an oboe to the cheer of the watching support, we are able to soothe the fears and help pep up the spirits of all these children. They are more than worthy of your kindness, and by donating, you become the good spirit of Petrinjska’s stucka." - Iva, Sanja, and Tin. 

You can follow them on Facebook and donate on their website HERE.

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

January 10, 2021 - A t-shirt campaign has been launched for GLG Petrinja (Petrinja Wind Orchestra) to raise enough money to repair the damage the institution suffered from the devasting earthquake on December 29, 2020. 

An earthquake doesn’t ask which building to tear down; family houses, administration buildings, hospitals… It doesn’t matter; it destroys everything that is in its way. Petrinja – a town, a home, and a place of many beautiful things that are now lost due to this earthquake (but not forever). The list of buildings that now lay in ruins is pretty long. The home of the wind orchestra of “GLG Petrinja” can also be found on this list. Unfortunately, working conditions weren’t great, but we never gave up. We were happy that we had a place where we could create and make others happy with our music. Although it wasn’t at its best, these walls were our everything: a place of laughter, happiness, joy, a place where you make friends, have great rehearsals, celebrations, gatherings… everything! Between these walls, you could find a different way of life. A life that not everyone gets a chance to experience. We are heartbroken because that place was a home to us and numerous other members that grew up inside those walls. That building is now useless. The orchestra has lost its home. That family with many children has lost everything… Music hasn't yet surrendered completely, but it is a question of time. All of you who know how and when orchestral music is made, precisely music created by “GLG Petrinja,” please help us in any way you can. Together we can restore that little bit of beauty that makes Petrinja known. Help us return the smiles that our music brought to the faces of our citizens. All for one musician, and one musician for all… that is where our strength and power lay.

The pure hearts of Croatians far and wide shine brightest in times of crisis, which we have seen on display in the aftermath of the Petrinja earthquake. While many channels for donations have opened in the last two weeks, a new t-shirt campaign has begun by Petrinja musicians to help repair the damage to the GLG Petrinja building. 

Namely, founded in 1808, GLG Petrinja is one of the oldest wind orchestras in Croatia. There are currently more than 60 active members, and several Petrinja citizens have played in the orchestra at some point. GLG Petrinja's current conductor is Josip Kapović from Metkovič, a tuba player in the Croatian Armed Forces Band.

TCN spoke to one of the campaign organizers and GLG Petrinja members, Iva Petračić, about how the idea and design came about. 

"My friend Vrban suggested that we make the shirts when he called me after the earthquake. I came up with the design with a few others that helped. A friend offered to assist with the graphic design, and now the shirt is here. I had all of the support from my orchestra and we really hope this will spread and that people will buy the shirt," said Petračić.

Along with the design, the t-shirt reads 'Vratimo glazbu tamo gdje pripada' (returning music where it belongs) with the time and date of the earthquake reflected. 

T-shirts cost 100 kuna each, and all proceeds will go directly to the GLG Petrinja.

SUPPORT GLG PETRINJA HERE

For more on the Petrinja earthquake and to see how you can donate money, food, humanitarian, sanitary, and material aid, follow our dedicated section.