May 23, 2023 - The Mayor of New York City proclaimed 22nd May Croatia Heritage Day at a ceremony which took place yesterday at Bowling Green, the oldest park in New York.
As Vecernji writes, New York City Mayor Eric Adams emphasized on Monday that the ties between New York and the Croatian community are the strongest they have ever been. The Democrat mayor of New York City even put on the jersey of the Croatian national football team, by which Croatia is recognized all over the world, to participate in the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the opening of the Croatian consulate and the 31st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The USA recognized Croatia on April 7, 1992.
"The largest Croatian population in America is right here. And I know how beautiful your country is because years ago, when I was in Croatia, and watching the beautiful waterfront, and watching how lovely the people are, watching how one can go there to just renew their energy and spirit", said Adams.
The bond between New York City and our Croatian community is as strong as ever.
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) May 22, 2023
Today we welcomed Croatian-Americans to Bowling Green to celebrate that bond by raising their flag and proclaiming this day Croatia Heritage Day. pic.twitter.com/gdIphRJB9e
Consul General of Croatia, Nikica Kopačević, presented the mayor with the official jersey of the Croatian football team, and Eric Adams said that he would wear it proudly and exclaimed: "Consider me to be a member of team Croatia!" He then thanked the Croats, both as a community in the USA and those who attended the raising of the Croatian flag at Bowling Green in Manhattan.
"You believe in family, entrepreneurship and public safety", said Adams.
"When we raise the flag, we also raise and lift up this great country", added the mayor and said that this is a good opportunity to highlight the great heritage of the Croatian American community. He concluded his courtly remarks with a look into the future of New York City, in which the Croatian community will play a major role, and proclaimed Croatian Heritage Day.
For more, make sure to check out our dedicated Croatian Diaspora section.
