Welcome to the Christmas issue of Croats in London.

This month, we report on the CSYPN Christmas dinner, Michael Donley’s talk on Korcula and a round up of press items.

CSYPN Christmas Dinner

On 10 December, the Croatian Students and Young Professionals Network held their annual Christmas dinner at the upmarket location of Jury’s in South Kensington. Over 60 people attended, including the Croatian Ambassador Josko Paro and his wife. CSYPN President Marko Kriznaric gave a speech and everyone present had a good time, many of whom went to the pub downstairs, staying until the small hours.

Michael Donley Talk

CSYPN also arranged a talk on 1 December by Michael Donley, author of Marco Polo’s Isle - Sketches from the Dalmatian Island of Korcula. The event was held at the Croatian Embassy. There was a large turnout, and many copies of his book were sold. CIL interviewed Mr Donley in our July issue.

In the Press

A lot of attention was give to the arrest of Croatian General Ante Gotovina in the British media. More positively, there was a lot of coverage of Croatia’s winning the Davis Cup tennis tournament on 4 December, beating Slovakia in the final. The Daily Telegraph had a large photographic spread. In an article entitled “Ivanisevic savours ‘perfect finish’”, Goran Ivanisevic is quoted as saying “It is good for Croatia - this is the biggest win in the history of team sport in our country.”

The Times headline was “Ancic the unlikely hero in Croatia’s cup victory”, discussing the role of Mario Ancic in the Croatian win. However, the Times tripped up in referring to Slovakia and Croatia as “teams from the former Soviet bloc”, which of course Croatia is not.

The Independent also focused on Ancic with the headline “Ancic nerve holds to win Davis Cup for Croatia”.

With regards to the forthcoming football World Cup, The Independent on 4 December also ran a feature entitled “Wizard of Oz wants England and Croatia” on Croatian Australian and Crystal Palace player Tony Popovic “I would love to get Croatia in our qualifying group.” Popovic got his wish; Croatia and Australia are in the same group.

The BBC website ran a story on 5 December entitled “Croats build e-museum of daily life”. The story concerned an online museum dedicated to anonymous people whose black and white photographs are found discarded in rubbish tips or on sale at flea markets. The creators of the website are husband and wife team Toni Petrovic, and Tamara Raza. Petrovic told the BBC that “Artistic life here is so beautiful. People here are very imaginative. And soon the country may be in the European Union and this will be one of Croatia’s contributions to the Union.” The website can be seen at www.skarabej.com

Merry Christmas from Croats in London

2005 has seen Croats in London’s first full year of coverage. We have covered major events in UK’s Croat community and we have interviewed many figures. In doing so, we have not only reported on what is happening in the Croatian community but helped further Croatia-UK links. We look forward to doing the same in 2006. We thank all who have helped us with stories, and we wish all our readers a Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year.

Sretan Bozic i Sretna Nova Godina!

Noticeboard

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

Vlaho Bukovac paintings exhibition

This exhibition has been organised to mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of Vlaho Bukovac.

Walker Art Gallery Liverpool 12 November - 3 January 2006
www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk

Mercer Art Gallery Harrogate 14 January - 19 March 2006
www.harrogate.gov.uk/museums

Croats in London will be back in January.

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