March 5, 2020 - Opinions about Croatia vary considerably, with the viewpoints of those living here often at odds with many in the Croatian diaspora. But is the opinion of a foreign resident of a country less valid that someone from the diaspora who has never lived here?

Which questions were you asked most last year? 

I am guessing that the two most popular questions to all of you were the same - how are you and where are you?

For me there was a third question, which was almost as frequent - what do you think about Brexit?

I was born in the UK, lived there for the first 19 years of my life, but apart from university and 5 years running my own wine business with my father, I have lived abroad for the rest of that time. 

How did Brexit affect my life (apart from having to listen to British friends debate it endlessly when we met up)? It took 18 minutes of my life when I changed my driving licence at Varazdin Police Station. That's it. 

Having not lived in the UK now for 20 years, I have little real understanding of the daily realities there today. I go back every 2-3 years to see family, and every time I go, it feels a little bit less familiar. I am ok with that, I made my life decision to travel the world and experience new cultures. And now, having visited 96 countries and lived in 10, I have found the perfect spot in rural Varazdin County with my lovely Dalmatian wife and two adorable kids. 

I still follow the news from the UK, the politics, the business, sadly my commitment to Aston Villa. But do I understand the issues of daily life in Britain today? Less and less. 

I meet or am contacted by LOTS of foreigners who live in the country of my birth. Many Croatians of course, but also from other parts of Europe and the world. We have moved in opposite directions, and it is always interesting to share experiences. And when I talk to these people, I hear a lot of criticism about the land of my birth - the racism, the lack of culture, the crime, the failing NHS, the aggression towards immigrants. I find these experiences real and genuine, experiences that have been molded by real-life experience. To me, hearing these experiences educates me about the realities of modern Britain, invites me to consider my native country from a different perspective, and provides me with a more rounded view of Britain today and how it has changed from the Britain I left behind 20 years ago. 

It has changed a lot. And not for the better, if the general tone is to be believed. And if I asked myself which opinion of the UK was more valid - those of a foreign resident who has been living the daily grind for 20 years, or someone who was born and raised in Britain but chose to live elsewhere and have limited contact with the mother ship, clearly the views - even the critical ones - of the foreign resident are far more relevant. Rather than standing up patriotically defending my country from a foreign resident who had the audacity to live in my country and then feel entitled to attack it, I am a realist and know that things aren't perfect, and that criticism - especially constructive criticism - is healthy in society. 

One thing I would definitely not say is - if Britain is so terrible, why don't you f*ck off back to Warsaw, Bucharest, Sofia, Zagreb (fill in the appropriate city)? As far I see things, if someone makes a decision to live in a country, pay taxes and accept and embrace the limitations of their host country, they absolutely have the right to criticise what they see as wrong. 

And so we come to Croatia, where I change my diaspora hat for that of the foreign resident. 

As we have long ago established in Is a Foreigner Allowed to Have an Opinion in Croatia? foreign opinions are very welcome in Croatia - as long as they are positive. As soon as something critical appears, the invitations to f*ck off to whence you came come pouring in. 

My recent editorial Traditional Values or Perpetuating Division? Shaping the Young Croatian Mindset was widely read and widely commented on. As with most articles of this type, there were very polarising views - some strongly agreed, some violently disagreed. I am fine with that, as all debate is healthy. One of the strongest reactions was from a Croatian Facebook page in Sydney, called Cro2000 Media, which labelled TCN as a subversive and dangerous portal, with one of the commentators confirming that I and a 'female buddy' he had met in Dubrovnik were both working for MI6. I must say that I like this description - it does make me sound quite the all-round action hero. I guess this is perhaps why people are so disappointed when they meet me in person... You can read the full post from Cro2000 Media here. 

The relationship between Croatia and its diaspora in Australia is one of the weirdest I have ever come across anywhere. They are without doubt among the proudest, most patriotic and generous (in terms of supporting the Homeland) Croats on the planet, many of them descended from victims of persecution by Tito. Surprisingly, for such patriotism, a large number don't speak Croatian at all apart from a couple of phrases, most have never lived in Croatia, thereby experiencing the realities of life here, and a large number have their real Croatian experience shaped by a 2-week summer holiday on the beaches of the Adriatic. 

But in terms of opinions of this diaspora and a foreign resident like me? It seems that only one opinion is valid. And it is not mine. 

Every time discussions like this start online, there is the typical reaction from locals living in Croatia to the diaspora. The main argument is that if you want to have an opinion about the country you love, you should try paying taxes and living here. It is a curious thing that the diaspora have the vote (3 MPs in total) but are not required to pay taxes. If my opinion is worth anything (I know it is not), I am fine with the diaspora having their opinions, voting and not paying taxes. The generosity of the diaspora during the war saved Croatia, and the 2 billion euro sent to the Homeland each year is actually bigger than Croatia's annual foreign investment. And in terms of the vote, an incredibly small number do vote - just 40,000 in the recent presidential election (24,000 of which were in Hercegovina). A lot of local people tend to brush over this important aspect of a very complex relationship. 

It would just be better for all concerned if you are going to voice an opinion, to do it on a subject you actually know something about. Come on over and spend some time in Croatia, live it a little and learn that the perceptions you grew up with are actually very different on the ground. 

Everyone is different, but I personally would be embarrassed to start lecturing a foreign resident of the UK about all things British having been out of the country for 20 years. Debate is healthy, but a prerequiste is understanding the issues being debated. 

At least in the irrelevant opinion of this foreign resident.

ZAGREB, March 5, 2020 - NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced on Wednesday in Zagreb that North Macedonia would become a NATO member within the next few weeks, and the alliance's chief thanked Croatia for its support to the open door policy.

We welcome the fact that Croatia has been a staunch advocate for NATO's open door policy. And soon, within the next few weeks, North Macedonia will become the 30th member, which shows that our door remains open, Stoltenberg said at a press conference after his meeting with Croatian President Zoran Milanović.

The Croatian president, who was sworn in on 18 February, said that "his old acquaintance and friend" Stoltenberg was the first foreign guest since he took office, noting that his own diplomatic career had started in NATO.

The focus of the two officials' meeting was on the involvement of Croatian troops in NATO-led missions, and they also discussed current challenges faced by the entire world.

Croatia is a committed and highly appreciated ally contributing in various spheres, the general secretary said, mentioning the presence of the Croatian contingents in Lithuania and Poland, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kosovo, and welcoming the fact that Croatia is increasing funding for defence.

Speaking about the recent agreement between the USA and Taliban on peace in Afghanistan, which should result in the withdrawal of Western forces from the Asian country, Stoltenberg reiterated that the path towards peace was difficult, but that one should remain dedicated to it.

When the moment comes and all conditions are met, we will leave together, Stoltenberg stated.

Milanović said that Croatia would follow the developments and that it would slowly but definitely pull its troops from that mission. "However, this will not happen overnight," he said.

Milanović recalled that one of the first decisions he signed since his recent inauguration referred to the deployment of a new contingent of Croatian soldiers in Afghanistan. Nevertheless, plans are being drawn up in the meantime on the departure of the Croatian troops from that country, he added.

A few days ago, the US and Taliban signed an agreement which sets into motion the potential of a full withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan and could pave the way to ending the war which has been lasting for 18 years.

The Doha deal lays out a 14-month timetable for the withdrawal of "all military forces of the United States, its allies, and Coalition partners, including all non-diplomatic civilian personnel, private security contractors, trainers, advisors, and supporting services personnel."

More news about Croatia and the NATO can be found in the Politics section.

ZAGREB, March 5, 2020 - In February, Croatia was visited by 287,000 tourists, up by 5% compared to February 2019, while a more significant increase was noted in overnight stays (727,000, up 9%), the National Tourist Board (HTZ) said on Wednesday, citing preliminary data from the eVisitor system.

There was an increase in the number of both the domestic and foreign tourists in February 2020 compared with February 2019. There were 177,000 foreign tourists, up by 1% compared with February 2019, and they accounted for 62% of the total number of arrivals. Compared with February 2019, foreign tourists generated 9% more overnight stays, or 479,000 in total.

The number of domestic tourists was up by 12% compared with February 2019, and they generated 7% more overnight stays.

In view of the increases generated both in February and in January, when the number of tourists increased by 5% and the number of their overnight stays by 7%, the physical tourist turnover in the first two months of 2020 was in the black. In total, 551,000 tourists arrived, up by 5% compared with the same period last year, and 1.4 million overnight stays were generated, up by 8%.

Compared with the first two months of 2019, the number of foreign guests increased by 1% and they generated 9% more overnight stays, while the number of domestic tourists rose by 12% and they generated 7% more overnight stays in the first two months of 2020.

"Due to the coronavirus situation, it is difficult to predict tourist turnover in March and the rest of the year. We are actively monitoring the situation, and we are responding by adapting our promotional and marketing activities on various markets. For example, the planned marketing campaigns and activities in the most significantly affected areas, such as China, South Korea, and Italy, have already been modified and rescheduled, just like the digital and online platform campaigns," HTZ stated.

More tourism news can be found in the Travel section.

ZAGREB, March 7, 2020 - A total of 12 Croatians have tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus to date. Health Minister Vili Beroš told a news conference in Zagreb on Wednesday March 5, 2020 that there was no need to declare a state of emergency.

*Follow this page for updates from Total Croatia News on the coronavirus in Croatia. Contact numbers for epidemiologists, travel advisories and measures for preventing the spread of the coronavirus can be found here.

Addressing the news conference, the head of the Fran Mihaljević hospital for infectious diseases, Alemka Markotić, said that all the patients were doing well and most of them no longer had any symptoms of the disease.

The patients are being treated in hospitals in Zagreb, Rijeka and Varaždin.

Asked if the number of infected persons could actually be higher, Dr Markotić said that with each infectious disease there can be a certain number of people who get over it without any apparent symptom of the illness.

"We call it asymptomatic infection, and there can be such cases with this disease. Such people generally pose no risk to other people. However, it remains to be seen if there are any inapparent infections with this novel disease," she added.

Minister Beroš explained that there had been no need so far to declare a state of emergency since the national civil protection authority had responded rapidly and adequately.

The epidemiological situation in Croatia is relatively calm, and in Europe, Croatia's model of response to the virus outbreak is being followed, he added.

More coronavirus news can be found in the Lifestyle section.

*Follow this page for updates from Total Croatia News on the coronavirus in Croatia. Contact numbers for epidemiologists, travel advisories and measures for preventing the spread of the coronavirus can be found here.

March 5, 2020 - Based on the implementation of the "Sport Croatia" project for 2020, the Croatian National Tourist Board (HTZ) has supported a total of 24 sports projects, totaling 8.1 million kuna.

This is a cooperation of HTZ with the organizers of top sporting events in Croatia, as well as with top Croatian athletes in order to promote Croatian tourism further, reports the Ministry of Tourism.

"Croatia is internationally recognized for sports and tourism, which is why promoting tourism through sports is a very effective tool in further positioning our country as an attractive tourist destination," said HTZ Director Kristjan Stanicic, adding that among 24 selected projects, 14 relate to cooperation with Croatian athletes and sports collectives, while ten projects relate to sporting events.

Among the sports events that have cooperated through the "Sport Croatia" program for 2020 are the CRO Race, Downhill Mali Losinj and Mitas 4 Islands cycling races, WTA Croatia Bol Open tennis tournament, extreme sports competition Pannonian Challenge, gymnastics world cup Good World Cup, European Club Taekwondo Championship, Lipik 3x3 Challenger Basketball Tournament, Judo Grand Prix Zagreb Tournament and Davis Cup Qualifications.

Cooperation was also made with athletes and sports collectives, including Croatian Basketball Federation, Croatian Water Polo Federation, Croatian Judo National Team, Croatian Volleyball Federation, Croatian Swimming Association, rowers Valent and Martin Sinkovic, Ivica Kostelic for sailing, long-distance swimmer Dina Levacic, world surfing champion Enrico Marotti, tennis player Donna Vekic, athlete Sandra Perkovic and sailors Elena Vorobeva, Tonci Stipanovic and Sime and Mihovil Fantela.

Let's add that the organizers of the multi-day top sports international competitions who, with their international recognition and reputation, can contribute to the promotion of tourism, as well as top Croatian athletes, winners of awards at European, world and Olympic competitions, or competitors at significant international sports competitions.

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

March 5, 2020 - The 25th round of the Croatian First League was played mid-week, from March 3-4, 2020. This round featured the always exciting ‘Eternal Derby’ between Hajduk and Dinamo at Poljud Stadium in Split. 

Lokomotiva v. Slaven Belupo (3:0)

Lokomotiva and Belupo opened the 25th round on Tuesday, March 3, 2020, in Zagreb in front of 706 fans. 

While the first half went without goals, Uzuni scored at the start of the second half in the 59th minute for 1:0. An own goal by Jeffren made it 2:0 two minutes later, and Budimir sealed the victory for Lokomotiva with a penalty in the third minute of injury time for 3:0.

Lokomotiva is currently in 4th place with 43 points, while Belupo is in 7th with 23. 

Rijeka v. Inter Zapresic (4:1)

Rijeka and Inter met on Tuesday, March 3, 2020, at Rujevica Stadium in front of 3,376 fans. 

Colak scored the first goal for Rijeka early on in the 9th minute for the 1:0 Rijeka lead. Lepinjica increased Rijeka’s lead in the 41st minute for 2:0 at the half. Galovic made it 3:0 in the 66th minute, while Mamut gave Inter one goal in the 70th minute for 3:1. 

Muric scored in the 84th minute for the final score of 4:1. 

Rijeka is currently in 3rd place with 44 points, while Inter is in 9th with 17. 

Istra 1961 v. Osijek (1:0)

Istra and Osijek met in Pula on Wednesday, March 4, 2020, in front of 603 fans. 

Delic scored the only goal of the game in the 2nd minute for 1:0 Istra. 

Istra is currently in 8th place with 19 points, while Osijek is in 5th with 39.

Varazdin v. Gorica (2:2)

Varazdin and Gorica met on Wednesday, March 4, 2020, at NK Varteks Stadium in front of 1,411 fans. 

An own goal by Canadjija made the game 1:0 for Varazdin in the 31st minute. Benko scored three minutes later to make it 2:0 at the half. 

Lovric came back with a goal in the 65th minute for 2:1, and a penalty equalizer by him in the fourth minute of injury time made it 2:2, which was the final score of the game.

Varazdin is currently in 10th place with 17 points, while Gorica is in 6th place with 35. 

Hajduk v. Dinamo (0:2)

Hajduk and Dinamo closed out the 25th round on Wednesday, March 4, 2020, in the 'Eternal Derby' at Poljud in front of 22,436 fans. 

A red card in the 40th minute for Hajduk’s Ismajli completely changed the game, which was still 0:0 at the half. Dinamo took advantage of having a player more in the second half and Kadzior scored two minutes in for the 0:1 Dinamo lead. Ademi increased Dinamo’s lead to 0:2 in the 75th minute, which was the final score of the game. 

Hajduk is currently in 2nd place with 45 points, while Dinamo is in first with 62.

You can see the full HNL table here.

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

March 5, 2020 - Jadran Split, Jug Dubrovnik, and Mladost Zagreb featured in the LEN Champions League 10th round this week. 

Mladost opened the LEN Champions League 10th round for Croatian clubs in Group B with a win against Waspo Hannover (18-12) on Tuesday and is one step closer to reaching the Final Eight.

Luka Bukic and Lovre Milos were the best for Mladost with four goals each, while Hanover was led by Aleksandar Radovic, also with four goals.

OSC Budapest leads Group B with 22 points, Ferencvaros and Pro Recco have 20 points each and a match less, while Mladost is fourth with 19 points.

These clubs are followed by Terrassa with 13 points, Marseille with 10, Waspo Hannover with six, and in the last place is Dinamo Tbilisi with three points.

In Group A, Jadran Split defeated Hungarian club Szolnoki 13-9 (3-1, 5-2, 2-4, 3-2) at Poljud on Tuesday

Jadran Split was led by Nathan Power with three goals, while Duje Pejkovic and Ivan Krapic scored two each. Radomir Drasovic was the best for Szolnoki with four goals.

The second representative in Group A, Jug Dubrovnik, beat Sintez Kazan 14-10 and at least temporarily takes the top spot in the standings. 

Jug led from the first minute and never lost an advantage against the weakest team in the group.

Vjekoslav Kobescak’s team was up by four goals on several occasions, with the visitors having the greatest lead at the beginning of the last quarter when it was 10-5.

Jug was led by Loren Fatovic with five goals, while Javier Garcia and Hrvoje Benic scored two goals each. The most efficient for Sintez was Adel Latipov, Sergei Lisunov and Nikolai Lazarev with three goals each.

Jug leads Group A with 24 points, followed by Barceloneta with 22 points, who also has a game less, while Olympiacos is in third with 19 points and the match is less.

The 11th round of the LEN Champions League will be played from April 10-11.

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

March 4, 2020 - One of the most renowned architects in the world, Smiljan Radić from Chile and his partner, the Chilean sculptress Marcela Correa started working on their art installation called "The Drops", which is to be installed permanently on the tops of the hills above Baška on the Krk Island.

Smiljan Radić is Chilean, but with Croatian roots, and his art creation is to be installed on Krk as a part of the Rijeka 2020 and the program Lungomare Art, tportal writes. The sculptures will be placed next to the dry stone walls locally called mrgari (and by locally I mean that I've never heard of the word before today, having been born and raised in Croatia). Mrgari are the functional structures created by the dry stone walls, to limit the movement of sheep and protect the plants within them, built to create the shape of a flower. There are only two places in Croatia where you can find them, on Krk and on the neighbouring island on Prvić, and on two more places in the world: on Iceland and in Wales.

Photo by: Kristijan Vučković

Smiljan Radić's and Marcela Correa's installation next to the walls will put the additional accent on the area, already well-known to both locals and tourists, while at the same time respecting the values and the structure of the walls, and without aiming to dominate over them by their shapes or materials. The final installation is planned for October of this year, but the creation of the installation has already begun, in partnership with the Croatian company Bokart from Dugo Selo near Zagreb. The drops will get to Baška in trucks, and then will be put on the hill with the helicopter assistance. Currently, the work that's being performed is the creation of the models for the glass, which needs to undergo several months of drying.