ZAGREB, September 6, 2019 - More than 300 people from Europe who are drivers of the Italian Vespa motorcycle will gather in Zagreb this weekend for the CroVespa 2019 event.

Participants will arrive from Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, the UK, Ireland, Germany, Hungary and the Czech Republic, presenting their timeless bikes, the majority of which will be vintage models.

"This is the largest gathering of Vespa fans in Croatia, but is also international in character. The first one took place in 2007 and this is the 12th gathering in a row, which is always organised by one of the 13 local Vespa clubs. It's taking place in Zagreb for the second time," Rafael Čuljak, president of the Vespa Club Croatia, has said.

The first Vespa was manufactured by Italy's Piaggio on 23 April 1946. Vespa means wasp in Italian. Aside from Italy, the motorcycle was also made in India, Indonesia, Taiwan, the UK and Spain.

More lifestyle news can be found in the dedicated section.

September 4, 2019 - A star-studded lineup of Croatian entrepreneurial excellence will assemble in Zagreb on September 12 for the first Entrepreneurial Mindset conference. TCN has kicked off a new series meeting the speakers of the conference. First up, meet Kristina Ercegovic - an entrepreneur, writer, and professor of entrepreneurship. 

1. As a Brit, I notice that entrepreneurs are not embraced and supported as much in Croatia as they are in countries with a longer capitalist tradition. How does it feel being an entrepreneur here, and how did you decide to embark on this road less travelled?

Do what I do, and that is surround yourself with entrepreneurs who think like you and support you, and just act and follow your vision, purpose and path. It feels great. 

I started my first business at the age of 26 out of passion, for which I quit my well-paying job at the largest pharma company. It was the best decision of my life. Being your boss is priceless. Since then I started two more companies and many projects, sold two out of three companies, am writing my 6th book now and teaching entrepreneurship at two universities. I am trying to do my part in making Croatia a great place to live and do business in and help everyone I meet on my way. 

2. How would you compare the perception of an entrepreneur in Croatia to one in Germany or the USA, for example?

When I ask my students, they still think entrepreneurs are thieves and they name one guy as an example. 

We need to clearly communicate that more than 90% of all businesses are micro and small and that they are the basis of economy and society. We also need to send a message that these people are heroes. Paying yourself a salary and hiring one or ten more people that is an example to follow, that is a healthy role model, that is someone we should admire. We need to redefine our values as a society. 

3. Tell us about your entrepreneurial experience so far in Croatia - the highlights, the lows, the successes, and the failures.

Highlights – establishing the first mystery shopping agency in the Balkans, selling it after 10 years, writing 5 books, 2 being bestsellers, establishing and running Business cafe events for 9 years and in 7 countries using franchise, receiving many rewards and recognitions, but the biggest one being a great number of people starting and succeeding in business because of everything I do. Blogs, books, events... My biggest success is my sense of inner fulfillment. 

I failed in everything you can imagine – choosing the wrong people for franchising, several times, failing to manage my money efficiently, trusting people too much, undercharging, starting to do something without a written agreement, giving too much to clients, failing to lead employees properly, burning out, letting personal relationships and friendships fall apart. You name it I experienced it. But I live my life according to my rules, no regrets. Would do it all over again. It was a fun ride until now, and I am sure it will only get better. 

4. What are your hopes for the conference and why did you decide to accept the invitation to speak?

Just being among “your people” - 300 people with same energy goals and intentions, just to be a part of that magic – I am so grateful for the opportunity - and you don’t miss this. This is the best part of Croatia, in the same room at the same time. 

I am happy to moderate the panel titled 'there is no success without failure'. I intend to show we all go through the same challenges, and it is about what we learn from our mistakes and how quickly we recover from failures and continue. 

5. Tell us a little about your own entrepreneurial mindset.

When I encounter a problem, I am focused on finding a solution for the good of everyone involved. I don’t take anything personally. I know mistakes are inevitable and just a learning experience. I know running a business is a tool for our growth and it is always about us, what can we learn and how can we grow. I know we never have enough resources, money, time, people - it is just a matter of doing the best you can with those you have. I am very resilient – I take little time to recover and just stand up after falling down and continue to go. And most important I know everything happens for a reason FOR us and not TO us. And I know the most important thing is to BE then DO then HAVE is a result. It is who we are and not what we achieve – it is about the journey, not the destination. 

6. Instilling an entrepreneurial mindset into a society which has grown up with socialism will take some time and effort. What is the roadmap to achieve this?

I am doing my part by regularly writing blogs, books, holding Business cafe events and teaching entrepreneurship at two universities. 

We need to show and talk about good examples and entrepreneurial stories in the media because people need role models they can identify with. If they don’t see something is possible, they will not want it themselves. 

We need to have events like this and lead by example. Teach our kids from kindergarten that entrepreneurship is also an option, not online firefighters and police officers. It will take time. But I am optimistic. 

7. What advice would you have for someone in Croatia thinking about taking the entrepreneurial route?

Stop thinking, start doing. No excuses. Just go ahead and do it. 

8. Andrija Colak once told me that the best thing about doing business in Croatia is that if you can succeed here, you can succeed anywhere in the world. Do you agree, and why is it so hard to do business in Croatia?

Definitely. I sometimes joke that half of the world’s most successful companies would fail if it started here. 

Lack of capital, high taxes not properly used, laws not being stable and always changing, taxes are also always changing and getting complicated, injustice, nepotism, lack of entrepreneurial mindset, not wanting to take a risk fear of failure, undervaluing ourselves, etc. But in one sentence we need a brave leader – we all know what needs to be done – we need just one person in a key position to actually do it and that is to cut the number of uhljebs drastically and lead Croatia to a better future we all want and deserve. 

9. How do you see the entrepreneurial scene in Croatia, and what changes have you noticed in the last ten years?

Since I started 17 years ago, there are many events now, many incentives, everything is more available now, information, capital, people to support you, it is no longer strange to start your own business. It is getting better in all directions. 

10. Three things you would like to see to help entrepreneurs in Croatia.

• Drastically simplify procedures

• Stable, clear, and fair tax system 

• Courts actually solving cases and doing it quickly

You can learn more about the conference and how to attend via the Casopis Poduzetnik Facebook page.

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

September 4, 2019 - Samobor, for the first time in Croatia, recently held the 23rd 2CV Citroën World Meeting.

This interesting event gathered as many as 3,858 vehicles, 8,190 participants from 41 countries and a total of 3783 visitors, according to organizers of the Croatian 2CV Citroën Club. Most participants were from France (2379), and from Germany and the Netherlands, reports HRTurizam.

Even the organizers managed to break the record for the number of vehicles assembled outside of France. In addition to 8,000 in France, so far, Vinadio, Italy has held the record, where, in 2003 there were 3,765 vehicles. However, 3,858 vehicles came to Samobor.

Such a large event ensured that Samobor was full of tourists at the beginning of August and that tourist consumption that remained in the Samobor area was generated. Also, the accommodation capacities were full, not only in Samobor but beyond.

“There were crowds all over the city, people hung out, socialized, had fun, bought souvenirs and spare car parts, all the pubs, cafes and restaurants in and around Samobor were packed, shops were gutted, even gas stations in and around the city remained without goods. Strangely, part of the caterers did not take this meeting seriously, and because of their vacations, their facilities were closed. About 20 percent of all visitors slept in private apartments, OPGs, and hotels in Samobor, Zagreb and the surrounding area, while the rest were camped in the meadow behind the Samobor bus station,” said Darko Zornjak, President of the Organizing Committee of the 23rd 2CV Citroën World Meeting.

According to organizers, traffic in facilities that still operated increased by about 50 percent compared to the same period last year.

Namely, the Croatian 2CV Citroën Club organized adventure rides after the meeting. Thus, the 2CV Adriatic Raid went through Gorski Kotar, Lika and the coast ending in the vicinity of Split, while the 2CV Continental Raid went in the other direction, namely through continental Croatia, through Hrvatsko Zagorje, Sisak, Lonjsko Polje and Slavonia ending in the area of Đakovo. 

An excellent and beautiful tourism story, which, in addition to quality content and the incentive for arrivals, is further proof that investing in manifestations is an investment, not a cost.

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

September 4, 2019 - Olympian Sara Kolak has set a new javelin throw record at the IAAF World Challenge Zagreb - "Hanžek". 

The gold medalist javelin thrower from the 2016 Rio Olympics achieved her first victory at the IAAF World Challenge meeting in Zagreb, setting a new record of 66.42 meters, reports Index.hr.

This is also Sarah's best result this season in her first competition, led by her new coach, the legendary Norwegian javelin thrower Andreas Thorkildsen.

"The goal was to do the first three throws as best I could. I wanted some of the details I worked on to match, and it worked. I'm glad I went into the first throw relaxed, because I was always nervous with the first one. I was very pleased. The audience was phenomenal, and they carried me through. I'm glad this happened at home, and it is a great result before Doha. We have three weeks to prepare and all thoughts are on Doha,” said Sara Kolak after breaking the record and added:

"The hardest part is staying the same, after every great result, staying the same person you were before. I try to stay the same, even better - it's crazy. I want to be Sara, who enjoys throwing and not burdening herself with other things."

Sara Kolak’s first three throws were over 60 meters (65.82 and 61.51), and her longest (66.42) was longer than her throw to win the 2016 Olympic gold medal in Rio de Janeiro.

Sara Kolak celebrated at Mladost in front of Canadian Elizabeth Gleadle (63.77 m), Polish thrower Maria Andrejczyk (60.91 m) and Slovenian Martina Ratej (60.50 m).

Furthermore, the world's best discus thrower Sandra Perkovic achieved her eighth victory by throwing 67.78 meters in her 12th appearance at the IAAF World Challenge Series in Zagreb, while the second Croatian representative Marija Tolj finished third with a distance of 62.57 meters.

"I am very pleased with this performance. The new round at the stadium is very fast, but I have shown that I can throw well. I am only sorry that the last throw ended up in the net," Perkovic said on Gol.hr.

The Olympic gold medalist and world and European discus champion achieved her second best throw this season, just short of the 68.58 meters she has achieved at the European League competition in Varazdin.

"I wanted to be in the best possible mental and physical condition at Hanzek, because on Friday I am expected to appear in the final of the Diamond League in Brussels, where I am going for the win. My priority this year is the Doha World Cup, second in the list is the Diamond League, while Hanzek was in third place."

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

ZAGREB, September 3, 2019 - The City of Zagreb on Tuesday released a Memorandum of Understanding concluded with the Eagle Hills Properties company regarding the "City within the City" project which Mayor Milan Bandić described as a response to recent pressure, announcing that a public debate on amendments to the General Urban Plan (GUP) would be held at the end of October.

The memorandum was officially made public on the City of Zagreb's website ahead of a meeting of the City Assembly on Wednesday which is expected to discuss this issue.

Mayor Bandić signed the non-binding memorandum on 12 March this year and addressing a press conference today, he said that the memorandum was published as a response to all the pressure because "it is difficult to withstand pressure."

He announced that a final proposal for changes to the GUP would be put on the agenda for the next City Assembly meeting schedule for late October.

The leader of the GLAS opposition party, Anka Mrak-Taritaš, on Tuesday cited a few reasons why Mayor Milan Bandić should abandon his plan to repurpose the location of the Zagreb Trade Fair and the Hipodrom racecourse in order to allow the construction of a high rise complex, dubbed "Zagreb's Manhattan" project.

Mrak-Taritaš urged the mayor not to touch Zagreb's "green lungs" on the banks of the River Sava, describing the location as "a small green enclave" in the city.

In the context of climate change, she underscored that it would never cross anyone's mind in urban centres worldwide to turn their existing green spaces into construction sites, except for Zagreb's mayor who is planning to repurpose the city's green space.

Furthermore, the existing infrastructure and water and sewage system cannot meet the current needs of that part of the city, she told a news conference, explaining that residents of the Novi Zagreb suburbs are often left without water supplies.

Mrak-Taritaš said that there were other locations in Zagreb that were more suitable for Bandić's plan for Zagreb's Manhattan project.

More Zagreb news can be found in the Lifestyle section.

ZAGREB, September 2, 2019 - A theatrical production by the Baltic House Festival Theatre based Nikolai Gogol's "Taras Bulba" will open the 13th St. Petersburg International Theatre Season Festival in the Croatian National Theatre (HNK) on September 13 and will run until September 17, bringing four productions.

Promoting the festival, HNK underscored that the productions will be directed by leading St. Petersburg directors.

The festival presents contemporary art produced in the "northern capital" of Russia and is aimed at motivating an exchange of creativity and strengthening cultural-artistic ties.

An exhibition of photographs by Pavel Franchishin will be presented for the duration of the festival, showing 20 urban landscape works.

The St. Petersburg International Theatre Season Festival was established in 2007 with the aim of strengthening and developing relations between St. Petersburg and theatre centres in various European countries by exchanging ideas and organising important cultural events.

The Festival has since been presented in Prague, Helsinki, Milan, Marseilles, Belgrade, Tallinn and other cities.

More theatre news can be found in the Lifestyle section.

September 2, 2019 - Saying goodbye to summer doesn’t have to be sad,  that is, if you let Break Time jewelry cheer you up with September discounts. 

Here we are, at the end of yet another summer season. The grueling temperatures have cooled, the busy streets have thinned, and we welcome a new month that will bring us into a new season. While many of us will miss the season behind us, the summer blues don’t have to thump us this time around. 

Break Time nautical jewelry is giving you a chance to shop smart this autumn with a world of new discounts you can delight in. 

From September 1, 2019, shoppers can enjoy

10% discount off any 2 Break Time nautical bracelets (use code 10OFF at check-out)

15% discount off any 3 (with code 15OFF at checkout)

20% discount off 4 or more (use code 20OFF)

Break Time announced that the offer applies not only for the online orders, but is also available in-store. 

The discount codes will appear automatically at check-out, if conditions are met (10OFF for 2 bracelets, 15% for 3 bracelets or 20OFF for 4 bracelets).

In case you add, for instance, 4 bracelets to the shopping cart and press check-out, you will automatically see the 20OFF discount code applied. However, if you change your mind and modify your shopping cart, for instance, by removing one of the four bracelets initially selected - then the code will no longer be applied and you will have to introduce the appropriate discount code (15OFF for 3 bracelets) manually.

FYI, the offer does not apply to the Zadar key-rings collection or the replacement pins. 

If you're in Croatia and don't need to shop online, you can find Break Time’s five Croatian locations below: 

Ilica 14, ZAGREB

Zadarska 1, SPLIT

Trogirska 8, SPLIT

Antuninska 5, DUBROVNIK

Via Arsenale 10, ROVINJ

To make sure you never miss a Break Time beat, follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. 

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

September 1, 2019 - AWARD FOR THE MOST CREATIVE PHOTO OF RURAL TOURISM WEEK IN ZAGREB COUNTY

Zagreb County and the Rural Tourism Association of Croatia will award the three most creative photographs of the Rural Tourism Week due to take place next week, from September 2-8, on 11 farms.

To win the award, competitors have to publish a photo containing any of the visual elements of the To the Countryside project (photo frame, flyers, t-shirts etc.) on Facebook or Instagram. Photos need to be tagged with @idemonaselo and the hashtag #idemo_selo and must be taken and published during the event.

The most creative photo will be chosen by a jury made up of members of Zagreb County as the biggest patron of the organizer of the To the Countryside project - the Rural Tourism Association of Croatia.

The names of the winners will be announced by September 20, 2019. Three awards will be given out: 1^st place - countryside weekend for two persons: 2^nd place - homemade products package; 3^rd place - package of bottled wines from the manifestation participants.

The competition for the most creative photograph is part of the manifestation “To the Countryside - Rural Tourism Week of Zagreb County” taking place from September 2-8. Taking part are 11 farms in Zagreb County that offer rural tourism: from Jastrebarsko (Seosko gospodarstvo Ciban, Vinogradarska kuća Braje and Vinarija Jagunić), from Sveti Ivan Zelina (Vina Kos, Vina Kos – Jurišić and Ljubekov gaj), from Samobor (Etno kuća pod Okićem and Mlin iz bajke), from Ivanić-Grad (Seoski turizam Kezele), from Kloštar-Ivanić (Ladanj kod strica) and from Žumberak (Seljačko gospodarstvo Podžumberak).

In order to promote rural tourism, time in the countryside and domestic products, Rural Tourism Week will bring about a 30% discount on chosen products and services: accommodation (Seosko gospodarstvo Ciban, Etno kuća pod Okićem, Ladanj kod strica i Seoski turizam Kezele), wine tasting (Vina Kos, Vina Kos-Jurišić, Vinogradarska kuća Braje, Vinarija Jagunić and Mlin iz Bajke), culinary workshop Traditional Žumberak Cuisine (Seljačko domaćinstvo Podžumberak - using their own, freshly collected ingredients grown organically), products (Mlin iz bajke - flour, wines and liqueurs and Ljubekov gaj – wine) as well as rental space for events and sports activities (Etno kuća pod Okićem). Other products and services have standard conditions.

The manifestation patrons are Zagreb County, the Zagreb County Tourism Board, Jastrebarsko Tourism Board, Sveti Ivan Zelina Tourism Board, Samobor Tourism Board, Ivanić-Grad Tourism Board, Croatia Records and various media.

If you would like to enjoy excellent wines, domestic products and culinary workshops, spend the night in the countryside or simply get away from the city bustle, make sure you reserve your spot in time. The event schedule is available on www.idemonaselo.hr, while all other information is available on Facebook and Instagram profiles Idemo na selo. Reservations are necessary.

The project organizer - Rural Tourism Association of Croatia and manifestation patrons invite people from all parts of Croatia to visit the participating rural establishments.

August 31, 2019 - A star-studded lineup of Croatian entrepreneurial excellence will assemble in Zagreb on September 12 for a stimulating one-day conference on the entrepreneurial mindset.

About 18 months ago, I received a phone call from Nenad Bakic, one of Croatia's most successful and high-profile entrepreneurs. Along with Mate Rimac, Bakic was named recently in the Financial Times' list of top 100 digital champions of Europe. Shortly before he called me, Bakic had taken over the ailing Varteks company in Varazdin, and he was in town to turn things around (and you can read more about the Nenad Bakic Varteks revolution in a recent TCN feature). 

Our meeting was very friendly on a number of topics, and then he reached out for his phone and said:

"I want you to see something that you will enjoy, a totally different picture of Croatia." One phone call later and my place was reserved - I was to be a guest at the EY Entrepreneur of the Year award in Zagreb. 

It was an outstanding evening of positivity, where Croatia's emerging entrepreneurial class celebrated the very best of their own, with Mate Rimac taking the first prize. It was a real privilege to be a foreign fly on the wall that evening, and it showed me that there was hope for Croatia, as well as a stimulating group of people that I wanted TCN to spend more time investigating. You can read a report on that inspiring evening here. 

On September 12, that positivity and creativity will take on a new angle, with the first Entrepreneurial Mindset conference taking place in Zagreb. Several of the judges and winners from the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award will be sharing their knowledge and experiences of being an entrepreneur in a one-day conference in Zagreb. They will talk about their vision, successes, mistakes, courage and mindset. Among the speakers will be two of the more procactive foreign ambassadors on the Zagreb scene: Ambassador Robert Kohorst from the American Embassy and Ilan Mor from the Israeli Embassy. 

The event is organised by business magazine Casopis Poduzetnik, in collaboration with EY. The programme is above, the speakers are below. It promises to be a very stimulating event, one which TCN will be attending and covering in detail in the coming days. My understanding is that the conference will be mostly in Croatian (but with translation) with the presentations from the ambassadors in English. 

You can learn more about the conference and how to attend via the Casopis Poduzetnik Facebook page.

August 29, 2019 - Dinamo Zagreb will play in Group C against Manchester City, Shakhtar Donetsk, and Atalanta. 

On Thursday in Monte Carlo, the Champions League draw was held at 6 pm, reports Gol.hr.

Croatian champion Dinamo also took part in the draw. The Zagreb club has yet another historic opportunity to compete in the elite club competition, a competition it has already participated in seven times.

Dinamo was placed in the third strongest group and could not be drawn with Lyon, Bayer Leverkusen, Red Bull Salzburg, Olympiakos, Club Brugge, Valencia, and Inter.

Thus, Dinamo was drawn into Group C with Manchester City, Shakhtar Donetsk, and Atalanta.

The Champions League group stage will be played in the following terms:

1st Round: 17-18 September

2nd Round: 1-2 October

3rd Round: 22-23 October

4th Round: 5-6 November 

5th Round: 26-27 November 

6th Round: 10-11 December 

During the draw, the best players of the Champions League last season were also announced. Namely, the best goalkeeper is Alisson Becker, the best defender went to Virgil Van Dijk, best midfielder to Frenkie de Jong, and best forward to Lionel Messi. The UEFA President's Award went to Eric Cantona.

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