The Croatia national team will gather for the first time since March in Split next month. Before the Vatreni’s return, coach Zlatko Dalić spoke with Dnevnik Nova TV. 

The USS Abraham Lincoln may no longer anchor in Split this week.

ZAGREB, May 6, 2019 - The Split Town Council on Monday held a special session on the occasion of Town of Split Day and Saint Domnius feast day, which is celebrated on May 7, and among those present was Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, who underlined Split's importance for the preservation of Croatian identity.

"Split, which has been living for more than 1,700 years, is part of the strong Croatian identity, our culture, heritage and faith, and it's also part of UNESCO's heritage," Plenković said at the session. He recalled that contracts worth two billion kuna were signed at a cabinet session held in Split a year ago. "Many of those projects are capital for the development of Split and Split-Dalmatia County."

Plenković announced the opening of a new Split Airport terminal for which more than 230 million kuna worth of state assets was made available. "I would also mention the Split-Solin agglomeration water supply infrastructure project, which is worth 1.084 billion kuna and which we expect to be approved in this year's second quarter, and this project will be a big step forward in the quality of life in the Split area," the prime minister said.

He announced joint investments in upgrading the transport infrastructure in Split to avoid traffic jams and facilitate access to the ferry port.

He said all that was necessary had been signed to embark on the Lećevica waste management centre project.

Plenković went on to say that the government had backed the Croatian Water Polo Federation's nomination of Split to host the 2022 European Water Polo Championship. "We ensured 19 million kuna for the organisation of that competition and that will be once again be another big sporting event in Split."

Plenković, Culture Minister Nina Obuljen Koržinek, State Assets Minister Goran Marić and Split Mayor Andro Krstulovic Opara signed an agreement according to which the Town of Split will manage the basement halls of Diocletian's Palace.

Plenković called the agreement historic and said efforts would be made to absorb as many European funds as possible to protect the cultural heritage in Croatia.

The government remains committed to strongly supporting Split's development in all areas, he said, announcing even more intense cooperation.

Krstulović noted that the basement halls of Diocletian's Palace "are not just some common monument, but the largest antique roofed space after the Domus Aurea in Rome." He said the agreement would enable the city to "absorb significant funds to preserve, renovate and maintain this significant monument and part of the heritage."

More Split news can be found in the Lifestyle section.

May 6, 2019, Split. It is less than three months since leading Croatian clinic, Bagatin, opened its doors in Split. Already one of the most successful clinics in Croatia with its two locations in Zagreb, and with a host of international awards and recognitions – including the best dermatology clinic in all Europe – the opening of Bagatin Clinic within the luxury Hotel Dioklecijan has not only made its services much more accessible to patients in Dalmatia, but it is also an important step in meeting the health tourism needs of the increasing numbers of tourists coming to and through Split. 

With health care costs in Croatia a fraction of the price in Western Europe, but with clinics such as Bagatin offering world-class care with the very latest equipment, the potential to have a holiday paid for by the savings in medical care is proving increasingly attractive. 

TCN caught up with Katarina Kalebic, who runs Bagatin Clinic in Split, to find out how it was all going. 

1. Bagatin Clinic is one of the leading clinics in Croatia and opened a couple of months ago down in Split. First of all, how is it going?

The citizens of Split and surrounding area couldnʼt wait for the opening of Bagatin Clinic in Split. We have lots of clients from Dalmatia that used to take treatments in our Clinic in Zagreb. We have fulfilled their wishes and opened our Bagatin Clinic in the heart of Dalmatia, in Split. We have only been open for three months but I am proud to say itʼs going very well.  We are looking forward to having many new clients from Dalmatia, the islands and all over the world.

2. Tell us a little about the services you are offering in Split.  

We offer anti-ageing treatments like PRP rejuvenation therapy, dermal fillers, mesotherapy and some surgeries like eyelid and ear correction surgery. Also we offer professional face treatments using Reviderm dermatocosmetis with accomplished technology. Our dental department offers all in one place, from diagnostics like CT scan to implantology, prosthetics and aesthetic dentistry. Our body shaping department is famous for using the latest technology. An individual approach and measurable results are the key to our long business and huge number of happy clients who recommend us to their friends and family.

3. Croatia's medical tourism business is largely centred on Istria, Kvarner and Zagreb at the moment, with Split and Central Dalmatia still relatively unknown. Tell us a little about the market and the potential.

In the last few years, medical tourism has been growing in Dalmatia thanks to good airport connections almost all year. Our location is very interesting for central and northern Italy because of the ferry connection with Ancona.  For now, most medical tourists come for dental work because it is affordable and clinics have invested in the latest technology to deliver the best quality. Everyone speaks English but Italian and German are also very important because many clients come from those two countries. Our market might be new but I believe we will be recognized for quality and that individual approach.

4. Bagatin has a great relationship with Double Tree Hilton in Zagreb, and you are also housed in a rather special place in Split, which makes accommodation a nice extension of your services. Tell us more about the building you are located in?

We are located close to the city centre in 'Splitska kuca zdravlja', which is a complex designed for tourist and healthcare purposes. We have a great relationship with Hotel Dioklecijan and other clinics in it. Patients can find everything they need to combine health services and unforgettable holiday. Can you imagine yourself enjoying in the pool under the open sky with a panoramic view of Split after treatment in our clinic? This is actually possible at our location and makes our patients' experience unique. 

5. Split and the surrounding area is becoming one of the top destinations in Croatia, which more than 3 million passengers expected through the airport alone. Tourists may not immediately think of health tourism when planning their Croatian vacation, but the savings do add up. Can you give us some examples for UK visitors, for example, where some of your services can give them savings which could actually pay their holiday?

If you compare prices for dental implants or crowns in the UK and in our Bagatin clinic you can save lots of money. The price of dental implants can be three times more expensive. For example, one implant with abutment and crown costs £750 while in the UK the cost for is from £2000 to £2500. So you are actually saving money by being on holiday!. You can treat yourself with anti-ageing treatments and relax in a high-quality hotel for the difference in money. I suggest that tourists look over health insurance because some private insurances refund some costs for dental work.

6. How do you see the health tourism industry in Split developing in the next five years?

I believe we will be recognized for quality service and individual approach to every client. Split is already famous for dentistry, medical surgery, orthopaedics, ophthalmology, gynaecology and otorhinolaryngology. Pre and post season are very interesting because our patients can combine their vacation while taking care of their health issues. Split has the capacity to work 365 days a year. We are at the disposal of our clients whenever they need us.

7. You are obviously just starting out, but where would you expect the main foreign markets to come from?  

The main foreign markets for us are Germany, Austria, Italy and the UK. We have very good flight connections with these countries most of the year. In the last few years, Croatia has become very popular for UK citizens and the number of UK tourists is increasing every year.

8. Holiday time is sadly very limited. How does it work in practice if someone is considering having procedures done? I am guessing that just walking in off the street and looking for an immediate appointment is not the best approach.  

It depends on what procedure the client is thinking of. At Bagatin Clinic we take a lot of care about consultation because we want to be sure that our clients' expectations and results will bring happiness to our patients' faces. That is why we use the Vectra to show the patient the almost real result at the end of the procedure. Some procedures can be easily done during a coffee break so I invite all who read this article to find out more about procedures they want to make. We will be happy to answer all your questions and make your wishes come true.

To learn more about Bagatin Clinic in Split, click here.

To follow the latest in the Croatian medical tourism story, follow the dedicated TCN section. 

May 6, 2019 - The 32nd round of the Croatian First League was held from May 3 to 5, 2019. The 32nd round was crucial for Hajduk, Lokomotiva, Gorica, and Osijek, who are all fighting for a spot in the top 4. 

May 6, 2019 - Whether you’re looking to brunch, munch, or have a proper meal out paired with wine, Zinfandel Food & Wine Bar in Split has you covered. 

The 18th edition of the International Rowing Regatta Sveti Duje was completed by the traditional race of the legends of Split, Oxford, and Cambridge, held on Sunday at noon Split. For the second year in a row, the Split team was the fastest, reports Dalmacija Danas on May 5, 2019. 

After Saturday’s university regatta at Spinut, the legends came to life during their 222-meter long regatta on the Split Riva. The dreary weekend weather and rain came to a halt, and the sun came into view, which attracted spectators on the famous waterfront promenade. The spectators witnessed two thrilling but identical races. Split was the fastest both times, although Oxford almost overcame them in the second race. 

The third-placed Cambridge legends had heavy hands, said James Cracknell, the two-time Olympic winner and six-time world champion, who is also the oldest winner of The Boat Race at age 46.  Cracknell also participated in Saturday’s student regatta where Cambridge won the gold medal.

“Rowing two regattas in two days, with the fact that The Boat Race was a month ago, is very demanding. Yesterday we fought with the Germans and Oxford and we managed to win, and today against the very good home team. Unfortunately, we were not able to be the fastest,” Cracknell said. 

The regatta in Split is a beautiful gift to the legend of Cambridge as he celebrates his 47th birthday.

“I think that my birthday celebration last night also reflected on my rowing today. Split is a really fun city and you can expect me in the coming years,” concluded Cracknell with laughter.

The excitement of winning was not hidden by Siniša Skelin, a legendary Split rower who responds to the organizer's invitation every year.

“This year, we did everything in two races. We did not have much preparation, but these are all experienced rowers, so it's not a problem to harmonize. I have to admit we're tired. It is an exhibition regatta and these two hundred meters look like a little, but when you’re rowing against Oxford and Cambridge, you're tired from 200 meters,” Skelin concluded.

After the race, all the participants came to Peristyle where they were given medals as a reminder of this unique regatta. 

The 18th edition of the famous Sv. Duje regatta is now behind us, and the organizers can be satisfied with yet another stellar event in the books. The people of Split will look forward to celebrating their patron saint, Sv. Duje, on May 7. 

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

As Slobodna Dalmacija/Sandra Barcot writes on the 5th of May, 2019, the world-renowned scientist Miroslav Radman is set to bring around a hundred scientists from across the world to Split. The international group of scientists will be part of the second International Progress in Biomedical Research conference.

From June the 17th to June the 21st, at Split's "Mediterranean Institute for Life Research" (MedILS), numerous respected experts from various areas of importance to human health will discuss, share experiences, and get better acquainted with the latest research on the extension of human life, the finding of remedies for the treatment of diseases that pose a serious threat to human life, and further educate themselves in general.

Split will play host to the leading scientists who will hold lectures on the molecular and cellular biology of diseases, with special emphasis placed on the fields of neuroscience, immunology, the metabolism, and diseases that is responsible for the misery, suffering and deaths of many in the modern day - cancer.

The participants of this year's conference in Split will focus on the concepts and challenges within each of these scientific areas through lectures on the latest technologies in genomics, proteomics and metabolomics, cancer signaling, therapy development, DNA recovery and immunotherapy.

The conference is organised by the Mediterranean Institute for Life Research and the University of Toronto, more specifically by Professor Miroslav Radman (MedILS), Professor Mladen Merćep (MedILS) and Professor Igor Štagljar (University of Toronto).

The first conference of its sort, which was held in July last year in Split, also gathered together some one hundred scientists from the field of biomedical research dealing with the topic of understanding the function of the gene, the therapeutic importance of the gene, ie the gene for extending human life and the aging of human skin.

Make sure to follow our dedicated lifestyle page for much more. Is it just Split you're interested in? Give Total Split a follow.

Click here for the original article by Sandra Barcot for Slobodna Dalmacija

This year's central celebration of Sv. Duje, also known as ‘Sudamja’ and the Day of the City of Split, will be held on Monday and Tuesday, May 6 and 7, with a commemorative and vibrant program, reports Splitski Dnevnik on May 4, 2019. 

The traditional Sv. Duje fair will be held on the Riva on Monday and Tuesday. The Sv. Duje celebration officially begins by placing flowers on the graves of the deceased Split mayors at Lovrinac Cemetary on Monday at 8:30 am and will continue with the ceremony of the City Council at the Croatian National Theater at 10 am, where the City Awards will be awarded to this year's laureates. At noon, the anniversary of the Public Protest will be marked by raising the flag of the Republic of Croatia before Banovina. 

In the evening part of the program, the reliquary will open and will be followed by a festive party. Then, to mark the 40th anniversary of Diocletian's Palace and the historical core of Split on the UNESCO Cultural Heritage List, at Peristyle, guests can enjoy a series of historical units and associations of non-material cultural heritage from all over Croatia, led by KUD-Jedinstvo, our Split-centennial!

The feast of Sv. Duje begins on Tuesday with the City Musicians of Split in the streets of the city. In Peristyle, at 10 am, the procession will begin on the Riva, where the Holy Mass will be celebrated.

The sounds of the Dubrovački trombunjeri will be heard from Matejuška, and two thousand portions of lamb with peas will be distributed at the Split Fish Market.

After the traditional ‘tombula’ on the big stage on the Riva, the ‘Key of Life’ concert will be held, featuring ten performers: Neno Belan, Gibonni, Tedi Spalato, Doris Dragović, Goran Karan, Jole, Guliano & Diktatori, Tiho Orlić, Dalmatino and Domenica.

The concert, which will be broadcast directly by HTV this year, has a humanitarian character and will raise funds for Children's Traumatology at the Department of Physical Medicine of Split KBC.

The festival will, like every year, end with a fireworks show. 

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

DUMP, the Association of Young Developers, in cooperation with Rimac Automobili, organizes one of the largest IT conferences in this area - DUMP Days. The conference will gather the best Croatian IT companies, top educators and talented IT experts for the fourth year in a row, and will be marked with interesting lectures, workshops and exhibition space for companies. The doors of the conference are open to all those interested on May 17 and 18 at the Split Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, reports Dalmacija Danas on May 3, 2019. 

DUMP Days, one of the largest IT conferences in this region, will be held on May 17 and 18 in Split at the FESB, where it will cover relevant topics about the programming, design, marketing and entrepreneurship world. It is an event that will be held for the fourth year in a row and connect students and those interested in IT with some of the most prominent Croatian IT companies and top lecturers. DUMP, promises rich content at the conference aimed at introducing young people to current technologies and the opportunities offered to them in the technological world.

The main program of the conference will include over 20 lectures, panel discussions and a workshop of experts presenting the latest IT trends and technologies, focusing on topics such as autonomous vehicles, IT advertising, and questions about entrepreneurship. Those who are more courageous will be able to hold one-on-one conversations with employers and see firsthand the knowledge and skills needed to find a job in IT. Additionally, visitors will be able to walk around the exhibition spaces of companies that will showcase their business culture and see what it's like to be part of their team. Each year, the exhibition spaces of companies become more original and creative, so things like VR and sumo wrestling are no strange sights.

"In one place, we wanted to gather the most prominent IT companies in Croatia and introduce them to their future employees. At the conference, there are no resumes and motivational letters, but everyone interested can talk to the representatives of the company in a relaxed atmosphere and find out firsthand what it takes to succeed in the IT sector,” said Krešimir Čondic, one of the conference organizers.

The framework of the DUMP conference is supported by a large number of IT companies across the country. Among them are the Rimac Automobili, whose story of a successful global business with headquarters in Croatia goes hand in hand with the values that the conference represents and promotes. Ericsson Nikola Tesla, ExtensionEngine, Hattrick and many others who want to build and strengthen our IT community have also contributed to the organization.

The conference doors will be open to all those interested. Registration for obtaining accreditation is available at the conference website (days.dump.hr), but you can also register at the conference entrance. More information can be found on its Facebook page.

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