Interview with Dr Marko Krznaric

As President of the Croatian Students and Young Professionals Network, Dr Marko
Krznaric has been a pre-eminent figure in the Croatian community. He is also the
project manager of Imperial College’s London e-Science Centre. He has recently stepped
down as President. CIL has a chat with him.

Dr Marko Krznaric

CIL: Why did you come to England?

I finished my studies in Croatia. I had a job in a Croatian bank but I always wanted to visit England. I love many things about England, tradition, football and I wanted to learn the language - there were many things that drew me to England.

I even rejected an offer at the bank come here for a couple of months. This turned into 8 or 9 years.

CIL: You turned into a student?

Yes, but this was not planned, I came for the summer. I spoke to some professors from Imperial College whom I had contacted with before, and they persuaded me to do my further degree there.

CIL: How did you first become involved in CSYPN?

When I came to the UK I wanted to meet other Croats. I called the embassy – the response was there was not much on offer. Which was a shame. Just as I decided to do something about it – I knew there were Croats here. I wanted to meet for sports events - there was a founding meeting of CSYPN. I went and got involved.

CIL: You later became President?

Yes, that was about a year and a half after that event.

CIL: What have been our greatest achievements as President?

I have a couple of things, but it’s like asking which is your favourite child! I do enjoy the fact we have a couple of marriages out of CSYPN

In terms of events, the promotion of Croatia, two things stick out. First, the Croatian Film Festival (2004) and our book that we launched recently (A Historical Outline of Literary Croatian/The Glagolitic Heritage of Croatian Culture by Branko Franolic and Mateo Zagar). Personally I met some of the most wonderful people and became really good friends with them.

CIL: Why have you stepped down?

Unfortunately there are not enough hours in the day to finish everything I want – it’s time to move on. My family is growing, challenges and responsibilities at work also. Unfortunately I don’t have enough time to lead CSYPN.

CIL: You have been involved in the Croatian community for 8 or 9 years. How have you seen it develop as a whole?

It has developed a lot. The internet was definitely one of the driving factors here. Before we had a community based around the church that was strong, and still is, but not that large.

We had a community around the embassy – meaning the social bits rather than what they do as their jobs. There are also the Croats in the UK forum, which gathered a certain community, which was enabled by the internet. There is CSYPN, which I think bridged the community enormously. The internet and modern technology has facilitated all that. CSYPN has achieved by becoming one of the pillars of the community in all respects, from social and cultural to sports.

CIL: Will you still be involved in the Croat community and CSYPN?

Absolutely. I am still a Croat and very enthusiastic but unfortunate I do not have as much time. As soon as I have time I will be involved in events.

My wife Ana has been extremely supportive – more than is expected from a life partner. Any gratitude from the Croatian community – a lot should go to her.

CIL: What will you be doing next? What are your plans?

I’ve been promoted; I’m managing 15 people so it’s a lot of responsibility. I have ideas about modern technology – which would be my hobby even if it weren’t my source of income.

Forbes’ Forays

We begin a new series this month - Forbes’ Forays. Former Royal Navy Commander Mike Forbes will be taking us around Croatia’s islands. This month, he introduces himself and tells us what’s in store.

Rasotica, Brac

Mike Forbes is a retired Royal Naval commander who lives in London with his wife. His first visit to Croatia was in the year 2000.

In the nineties Jan and I started chartering small yachts in the Mediterranean; after several times in Turkey and the Balearics, but in 2000 someone suggested we try Croatia. We fell in love with cruising the Dalmatian coast and in 2002, with three other families, bought a 40 foot sailing yacht and based it in Split. Each family can sail for up to eight weeks between April and October, normally in two to four-week chunks. Now enjoying our eighth season the boat remains under the British flag, one of the fairly small number under the Red Ensign in the Adriatic, now that all charter vessels have to sail under the Croatian flag.

Secretly, I believe the Dalmatian islands provide one of the finest cruising grounds in the world – but don’t tell everyone! Certainly my former navigation students should not go there as the absence of tidal rise and fall and tidal streams makes it too easy. They might find the frequent variations in the strength and direction of the wind a challenge, though.

Talking of challenges, three years ago I decided to try and learn Croatian. I did not want to join that band of my countrymen who try and make themselves understood by shouting slower and louder. Not that this is needed in a country where English is widely understood, but it seemed ridiculous to spend much time in Croatia without learning something of the language. Some of the pitfalls and joys of learning Croatian I will reveal in my next contribution, as well as unveiling my favourite Dalmatian island.

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