Wishing you all a joyous Christmas and progress in the New 2019 Year. I am blessed with all of your support and grateful for the opportunity to share life with you.
When it comes to Croatia and her path to democracy and well-being I remember the 1995 Christmas wish from Franjo Tudjman, Croatia’s first President. This was the time when Croatia, after winning the terrible war of Serb aggression, was to accelerate efforts into building a real and functional democracy; it was to lustrate the country’s institutions and leadership of communist heritage that suffocate democracy and true freedom. But regretfully this did not happen, not anywhere near the needed levels that cement sovereignty.
For this Christmas I choose to publish Franjo Tudjman’s 1995 Christmas and New 1996 Year’s message because it contains all the elements for thanksgiving that are as relevant today as they were in 1995.
Croats in the homeland and in the world,
citizens of Croatia!
The Christmas and New Year holidays have among Croatian people always been filled with the spirit of peace, joy, unity, reconciliation and warmth of the family home and homeland fires.
This year, these festive days also have a special significance: the liberation of the occupied Croatian territories, and the recent signing of the Dayton Peace Accords in Paris, are the source of strong hopes for the end of suffering, a secure, complete and ever-independent homeland, and faith in an ever better Croatian tomorrow.
With this hope and solid faith:
to all the participants of the Homeland War, especially those who lost their closest, to all the disabled, the wounded and the victims;
to all Croatian defenders and policemen who fulfil their patriotic duty honourably and self-conscientiously;
to all the displaced persons who are eager to return to their homes in the new year;
to all the benefactors who provided assistance or received the forcefully deported and refugees under their roof, and who were persecuted and wounded;
to all Croatian youth and all Croatian families;
to all Croat citizens in the homeland who, in their work in the field, in the factory and in a company, in education, in culture and science, in state administration and in social-health services, pursue the building of free and democratic Croatia;
all Croats in the world whom the homeland eagerly awaits;
all members of the United Nations and NATO forces, who contribute to peace in Croatia and in this part of Europe;
to all those who celebrate, to all Croatian citizens, and to all people of good will all over the world,
Have a happy Christmas and Happy New Year 1996!
Franjo Tuđman,
Presdent of the Republic of Croatia
23rdDecember 1995
Reblogged this on Ace Friends & Bloggers News.
🎄Seasons Greetings to You and Yours Ina 🎁 And may the ‘ Light of God Shine Upon You Now And Forevermore ‘ God Bless 🙏’s for Croatia and its people in the years to come Amen
God bless Ian! Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year to you and yours. My holidays nearly over 🙂
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you, too, Ina. This letter is full of hope, and wish that for everyone for 2019,
Thank you Noelle, much love and all the best o you for Christmas and New Year. Am currently enjoying the beauty Croatia 🙂
these words of hope
make me smile!
may your holiday be with
joy, peace & friendship 🙂
Yours also smilecalm. Thank you! <3
Wishing you a blessed and Merry Christmas season! Joyeux Noel! *Raises virtual glass of wine*–grown in the Dalmatian region of course.
Thank you Elisa! A perfect wish indeed 🙂 Merry Christmas to you and yours <3
Wishing you a wonderful Happy New Year Ina.. May it bring in more Love and Peace into the world as we explore these emotions within ourselves. I hope you have had a lovely Christmas Holiday..
Stay Blessed in All you do to bring awareness to others so that Unity and Balance may bring Harmony to communities who have long suffered..
Love Sue <3
Thank you dear Sue – much love, peace and happiness in the New Year to you and all around you. I am indeed blessed for having spent my Christmas right here in Croatia. The holiday is almost over but am filled with joy to last and last. Back to “Oz” soon! God bless!
Wonderful! Love and Blessings.. 🙂