Croatia: Showcasing Pride in Victory Of Freedom

Reading my previous post on the official celebration of Croatian Victory Day, Thanksgiving Day and Veteran’s Day on Monday 5 August in Knin one might easily conclude that in Croatia there is a certain wave of political manipulation designed to suffocate the joy people are entitled to express when celebrating their victory of freedom and democracy. One wouldn’t be too wrong in making such conclusions for had the Croatian politicians worked closely with various veterans’ organisations and local community bodies during the past 18 years public celebrations of 5 August would be a widespread affair throughout Croatia. The way such celebrations should be because the victory and freedom affects one and all.

But, regretfully, politicians (and some media) have often interpreted the very popular celebration of 5 August that takes place in Cavoglave/ Sibenik-Knin County as unwelcome, as nationalistic – which is simply mean. Since the government and its satellites failed miserably at encouraging people to celebrate their victory for free Croatia the people found their own way to celebrate. And all the power to them, I say.

More than 120,000 people attended the Croatian Victory Day celebrations at Cavoglave this year, which was crowned by the musical concert headed by Marko Perkovic Thompson, a most popular musician who had often been targeted by those who seem to want to kill off love for Croatia as a nationalist.

The Cavoglave celebration seems to me to be exactly what Croatia Victory Day celebrations should be in every town and village and city across Croatia. The day commenced with an early morning Mass for late president Franjo Tudjman and all the fallen and deceased veterans, then ensued parades and showcasing of folkloric groups from many areas of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina and then came the legendary musical concert and fireworks.  Congratulations to the organisers of Cavoglave celebrations, and may the spirit of true joy found there spread all over Croatia, in spite of political machinations that downplay the value of self-determination and the sacrifices made in achieving it. Ina Vukic, (Prof); B.A., M.A.Ps. (Syd)

A selection of photographs from Croatia Victory Day celebrations in Cavoglave:

Cavoglave Croatian Victory and Thanksgiving Day 2013 Marko Perkovic Thompson singing at the concert: