Welcome to the fourth issue of Croats in London. CIL appears in the first week of every month.

This month: CSYPN Superset Tennis Tournament

Also: The BBC films major drama Casanova in Dubrovnik.

Basketball, CSYPN dinner, Zanki art exhibition, Christmas Mass, Croatian-British cultural links talk.
Special Notice: Presidential election - voting in London.

The CSYPN Superset Tennis tournament

The Croatian Students and Young Professionals Network (CSYPN) ran a tennis tournament for Croats on November 14. CIL went along to see the event.

Croatia produces considerable tennis talent such as Goran Ivanisevic and Mario Ancic. Indeed, it was Ancic’s victory over Greg Rusedski at the Supersets championship at Wembley Arena recently that provided the inspiration for this event.

It took place at the Westway Sports Centre in West London. There was a good turnout, making it a doubles competition, complete with spectators. Although it was a very cold day, this did not affect play as the courts are all indoors. Apart from the players, the spectators and CIL were also grateful to be in the warm!

The completion began at two o’clock. The doubles teams took over two courts and proceeded to eliminate each other to get to the final. It was hard fought, and it came to an exciting finish by between two teams: David Hudi Dinnage and Arndt Maier against Peter Crowley and Steve Banicevic. After a nail-biting finish, David and Arndt emerged victorious.

The victor’s comments on how they felt was simple: “Thirsty - feel like a beer. Losers should pay.”
”We wuz robbed” was the comment from the other team.
An enjoyable afternoon was had by all. Indeed, things continued and everyone went to a nearby pub
for much needed refreshment.
It’s clear from the turnout that London Croats have a great interest in playing Tennis, and it would be
no surprise if further tournaments are arranged.

CSYPN are also organising a basketball contest on 5 December, see below for further details.

The BBC goes to Dubrovnik

The BBC are currently filming a major drama, ‘Casanova’, in Dubrovnik. The legendary Peter O’Toole and new star David Tennant are the leads. O’Toole will be playing the older Casanova, reminiscing about his past, whilst Tennant will play the younger version. Other stars include Rose Byrne, Rupert Penry-Jones, Laura Fraser, Nina Sosanya and Matt Lucas. It will be screened on BBC THREE.

The production will also be filmed in Venice. It is a prestige production, written by renowned writer Russell T. Davies, currently also helming the high profile return of the BBC’s ‘Doctor Who’ sci-fi series. Of ‘Casanova’, Davies said “I took this as a chance to reinvigorate period drama, and to tell a dazzling and very funny story. We’re bringing back to life, for three hours, a truly remarkable man, and a genuine legend.”
Stuart Murphy, Controller of BBC THREE, says: “Casanova is an extraordinarily inventive and inspired drama from one of British television’s best screen-writers.”
It is very good news that such a prestigious production is being made in Dubrovnik. Hopefully this will result in more film and TV producers choosing to film their productions in Croatia. Indeed, Vanessa Redgrave encouraged producers to do so at the Croatian Film Festival in October.

CIL hope to bring transmission times and more details soon. It will certainly be interesting to see how 18th Century Dubrovnik is realised.

Noticeboard

Only events run by known and reputable bodies will be listed here.

5 December: CSYPN basketball event. Check out their website for details www.csypn.org.uk

8-11 December: Croatian artist Josip Zanki will exhibit some of his works in The Violin Factory 35a Cornwall Road, London SE1 8TJ. Zanki is a Zadar born artist and is fascinated by the history of the region, with its ancient Roman, Templar and mediaeval ruins. Their iconography is a recurring theme in his work. All viewings are by appointment only. Please call Sanja on 07775 816 101 to book an appointment.

11 December: CSYPN Dinner. CSYPN are having their major annual dinner on 11 December at Salvadors El Bodegon in Chelsea. Ł15 members, Ł25 non-members. There may still be places. Check out their website www.csypn.org.uk for details.

24 December: Croatian Mission Christmas Eve Mass at 9.00 pm. Church of Sacred Heart, Horseferry Road, SW1P 2EF

25 December: Croatian Mission Christmas Day Mass at 6.00 pm. Please note that this mass will be held at the Chapel of the Croatian Catholic Mission at 17 Boutflower Road, SW11

13 January 2005: Talk by Dr Tomislav Sunic, Minister Counsellor of the Croatian Embassy entitled British-Croatian Cultural Links: A Brief History, 6.30 pm for 7.00 pm. At the Croatian Embassy - address in useful information below. R.S.V.P. tel: 020 7387 2022 Refreshments will be served.
Special Notice

Croatian Presidential Elections 2 January 2005

Croatian citizens in London will be able to cast their vote at these elections. Please contact the Croatian Embassy (contact details in useful information) for more information. Details will also be available at: www.izbori.hr

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