Croatia: Happy Statehood Day – Once More! – Croatia, the War, and the Future

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inavukic

June 25, 2013

The Statehood Day in Croatia used to be celebrated on 30th May, while President Franjo Tudjman was alive (died 1999). It marked the day when in 1990 the first post-Communist multi-party Parliament was constituted. Since 2002 June 25th has prevailed as the Statehood Day because it marks the day of Croatia’s declaration of independence from Yugoslavia.

“I declare to the whole world that on this day the Republic of Croatia is proclaimed sovereign and independent state,” were dr Franjo Tudjman’s words on 25th June 1991.

To make things confusing even more Croatia’s Independence Day is marked on October 8th because it was on 8 October 1991 when Croatia cut all ties with former Yugoslavia. Those in government and leadership who wanted any which way to discredit and vilify Franjo Tudjman were the ones most responsible for creating such confusion. Needless to say they come from die-hard communist echelons; many of whom did not want an independent and democratic Croatia in the first place.

Little did they suspect that a grand love for freedom and democracy would prevail and result in multitudes celebrating Croatian Statehood Day on both May 30th and June 25th ! Spreading pride and love can never come in surplus!

So, to join in June 25th celebrations of Croatian Statehood Day I offer the following snapshots of that absolute beauty that will, come 1st July, become a full member state of the European Union. (Click on photos to enlarge)

A view from the house I was born in Island of Korcula Croatia — A view from the house I was born in, Island of Korcula Croatia

June 2013 - passenger ship arriving in Korcula Croatia — June 2013 – passenger ship arriving in
Korcula Croatia

June 2013 - fishing at Korcula Croatia — June 2013 – fishing at Korcula Croatia

June 2013 - a Korcula Croatia beach — June 2013 – a Korcula Croatia beach

June 2013 - inviting waters at Korcula Croatia — June 2013 – inviting waters at Korcula Croatia

Cruising on a boat around old town of Korcula Croatia

Pristine waters at wharf in Korcula Croatia

June 2013 - Badija Island near Korcula Croatia — June 2013 – Badija Island near
Korcula Croatia

June 2013 - old chapel at cemetery Korcula, Croatia — June 2013 – old chapel at cemetery
Korcula, Croatia

June 2013 - alleyway in old town of Korcula, Island of Korcula, Croatia — June 2013 – alleyway in old town of Korcula,
Island of Korcula, Croatia

Grape vine shade Island of Korcula Croatia

June 2013 - Hvar Croatia — June 2013 – Hvar Croatia

St Marl's church Zagreb Croatia — St Mark’s church Zagreb Croatia

May 2013 - Zagreb Croatia Mimara Museum — May 2013 – Zagreb Croatia Mimara Museum

April 2013 - Tkalciceva street cafes Zagreb Croatia — April 2013 – Tkalciceva street cafes Zagreb Croatia

May 2013 - King Tomislav statue Zagreb Croatia the glory of Spring and history — May 2013 – King Tomislav statue Zagreb Croatia
the glory of Spring and history

March 2013 - the snow still here Zagreb Croatia — March 2013 – the snow still here Zagreb Croatia

March 2013 - Zrinjevac Park Zagreb Croatia — March 2013 – Zrinjevac Park Zagreb Croatia

Folk singers on Ban Jelacic Place Zagreb Croatia

“Love and desire are the spirit’s wings to great deeds.”

~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

HAPPY STATEHOOD DAY, CROATIA!

Croatia, Croatian Statehood Day, European Union, Franjo Tudjman, Island of Hvar, Island of Korcula, Zagreb

32 responses to “Croatia: Happy Statehood Day – Once More!”

xbox2121

June 25, 2013

Beautiful pictures!!

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1. inavukic
  
  June 25, 2013
  
  Thank you xbox2121
  
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Roko

June 25, 2013

You have nice touch and lots of class Ina. I wish there are more Hrvata I Hrvatica like you!!

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1. inavukic
  
  June 25, 2013
  
  Thank you Roko. There a lots, some we meet, some we see, some we don’t
  
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Kat

June 25, 2013

Happy statehood day, my dear Croatia. Thank you for sharing those beautiful photos, Ina, it’s certainly made my day.

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1. inavukic
  
  June 25, 2013
  
  Thanks Kat
  
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Joe Langford

June 25, 2013

Sretan Dan državnosti Ina …. Wow …thank you so much for this wonderful insight into your life growing up in Croatia. As I write my Thesis regarding Croatia’s struggle for legitimacy and recognition of Statehood It is so clear from this blogpost as to how much this assertion of independence meant to Croats 22 years ago ! 🙂

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1. inavukic
  
  June 25, 2013
  
  Thank you Joe – yes it meant a great deal; it means a great deal. Look forward to reading your Thesis when it’s done. Keep up the good work and success is guaranteed.
  
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gpcox

June 25, 2013

Such beautiful photos in today’s post!!

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1. inavukic
  
  June 25, 2013
  
  Thank you gpcox – they’ve been shot with feeling and awe at mother nature’s generosity
  
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  1. gpcox
    
    June 25, 2013
    
    Yes, Mother Nature certainly has a knack for putting things together.
    
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  2. inavukic
    
    June 25, 2013
    
    She has proven that to us over and over again, gpcox. Thanks.
    
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Sunman

June 25, 2013

Beautiful pictures of the country….but with a beautiful country comes beautiful people!

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1. inavukic
  
  June 25, 2013
  
  Beauty begets beauty. Thanks Sunman
  
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Chef Doru

June 27, 2013

Very nice places.

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1. inavukic
  
  June 28, 2013
  
  Thanks Chef Doru
  
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  1. Chef Doru
    
    July 3, 2013
    
    Thank you Ina for taking your time and surf through my recipes. I’m originally from Romania but never had a chance to visit Croatia even if was so close.
    
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  2. inavukic
    
    July 3, 2013
    
    Your recipes are well worth the visit and trying out Chef Doru – perhaps one day on a leisurely holiday you will visit Croatia – well worth the while
    
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  3. Chef Doru
    
    July 3, 2013
    
    Definitely worth a visit. I read some stuff on the internet, saw numerous pictures, heard and saw on TV, but unfortunately I cannot go back to any former communist country, including Romania. All of them are still “dirty” from the communists and will take another 4-5 generations until everything will go on the normal path. I left Romania in 1996 and went back twice just to visit family and dear friends and both times I left with a bad taste. I know for a fact (from friends I have) that in Rusia, Ukraina, Bulgaria is the same and I’ll asume Croatia is not different.
    
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  4. inavukic
    
    July 3, 2013
    
    Know what you mean Chef Doru – you’re right about similar things in Croatia there is a definite taste of pro-communist happenings particularly under the current leftist government etc – things were when this is concerned much much better previously under the right wing or centre right governments … the former communists who are still leaning to those political striving do not tolerate well people who are or were against it
    
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ahardrain

June 27, 2013

Croatia is one of the most beautiful and unique places on earth. I wish more people knew this. Many customers of mine who come back from Dubrovnik and Split say they love these ports more than Italy and Greece. Beautiful post, thanks 🙂

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1. inavukic
  
  June 28, 2013
  
  Thank you ahardrain, couldn’t agree more 🙂
  
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johncoyote

June 29, 2013

Thank you for the beautiful photos. I was in Bosnian with the peace keeping force. I’m glad the country is going better. Your site is amazing. I will stop by later.

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1. inavukic
  
  June 29, 2013
  
  Thanks johncoyote, they’re doing better but still a great deal of work ahead in building up democracy.
  
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  1. johncoyote
    
    June 29, 2013
    
    I was there at her worst time. Democracy is hard to get to and harder to maintain.
    
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  2. inavukic
    
    June 29, 2013
    
    Indeed
    
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Theresa

June 30, 2013

I visited Korchula & Hvar, and found the land so very beautiful and the people spirited and friendly. Lovely photos!

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1. inavukic
  
  June 30, 2013
  
  Thank you Theresa
  
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Ruben Demirjian

September 1, 2013

Muy Bella.

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1. inavukic
  
  September 1, 2013
  
  Gracias Ruben
  
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  1. Ruben Demirjian
    
    September 1, 2013
    
    De nada .
    Un beso!
    
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  2. inavukic
    
    September 1, 2013
    
    🙂 🙂 XXXX
    
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I’m Ina

I was born in Croatia and live Australia. I have been described as a prominent figure known for my contribution to the Croatian and wider societies, particularly in the context of Croatia’s transition from communism to democracy, as well as for my many years of work as a clinical psychologist and Chief Executive Officer of government-funded services for people with disabilities, including mental health services, in Australia. In 1995, the President of the Republic of Croatia awarded me two Medals of Honor, the Homeland War Memorial Medal and the Order of the Croatian Trefoil for her special merits and her contribution to the founding of the Republic of Croatia. I have been a successful blogger since 2011 and write extensively in the English-language on issues related to Croatian current affairs and democracy, as well as the challenges Croatia faced and still faces in its transition from communism. My goal is to raise awareness of these connections and issues worldwide.

Croatia, the War, and the Future