Welcome to the July issue of Croats in London
This month: Croatian National Day, Watching the World Cup,
Croatia in Light and Colour: Postcards from Croatia 1898-1921,
In the Press

Croatian National Day

The Croatian Students and Young Professionals Network (CSYPN)
with the Croatian Embassy celebrated Croatian National Day by
organising an event on the top of the Greater London Assembly
building on 23 June. It is home to the Mayor of London and
London’s government. Outside Croatia itself, this was arguably
the most stylish celebration of the national day, being held in such
a prestigious location. CSYPN members, embassy staff including
Ambassador Josko Paro and various diplomatic guests were in
attendance as well as Lord Graham Tope.

Watching the World Cup

Sadly, Croatia was knocked out of the World Cup by Australia in June. However, this may not have been immediately obvious from Croats in London who went to the Cadogan Arms in Chelsea to watch the match. The screenings were organised by the CSYPN and were very well attended, particularly the first and last match. Croats and their friends followed the fortunes of the Croatian football team. Croats are known for their passion in supporting their national team, and this was on spectacular display, especially for the last match against Australia.

An article on the event appeared in London’s listings magazine Time Out. The BBC used interviews with CSYPN members to illustrate a short segment about Croatia and its football team, which was seen a number of times on its news channel, and on its website.

A strange incident at the Croatia v Australia match led to much comment in the British press. Croatian player Josip Simunic was given 3 yellow cards by English referee Graham Poll during the game, and was then given the red card and sent off. Players are supposed to be sent off after two! This was unprecedented, and caused some confusion amongst the fans at The Cadogan Arms. Poll has subsequently decided to retire from international refereeing.

Croatia in Light and Colour: Postcards from Croatia 1898-1921

The above exhibition, organised by the Croatian Embassy and The Museum of Arts and Crafts in Zagreb will be display in the Croatian Embassy between 12 July and 11 September. Details in Noticeboard below.

In the Press

Croatia continues to get good press as a holiday destination. In the 18 June edition of the Sunday People, in a piece entitled ‘A Peace of Heaven’ journalist Sarah Coughlan set out for Croatia - her initial comment being “Their footballers wear strange checked red and white shirts, and oh yes, wasn’t it bombed to bits in the early ‘90s?”. However, describing her trip to Rovinj and elsewhere she ended by saying “For those who want to truly unwind, I can’t think of a better destination”. It’s good to see that people’s perceptions can be changed by positive experiences of Croatia.

Tim Robbins in The Observer of 4 June says of talking to Croats that “.it becomes clear they share a sense of humour more like ours than any other European nation.” This he attributes to their having watched British comedy programmes such a Blackadder, Only Fools and Horses and ‘Allo ‘Allo!

Noticeboard

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

12 July - 11 September 2006, Monday to Friday 11.00 AM - 4.00 PM: ‘Croatia in Light and Colour: Postcards from Croatia 1898-1921’ organised by the Croatian embassy and the Zagreb Museum of Arts and Crafts. Location: Croatian Embassy - address in Useful Information below

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