Celebrating 15 Years of Blog  Writing About Croatia – A Heartfelt Thank You to My Readers

Obilježavanje 15 godina pisanja bloga o Hrvatskoj – od srca hvala mojim čitateljima

Photo: Ina Vukic

Fifteen years of writing on my blog. Fifteen years of sharing Croatia’s stories, struggles, triumphs, and hopes. Fifteen years of unwavering love for the homeland.

As I celebrate the 15th anniversary of my blog, “Croatia, the War, and the Future”, I wish to express my deepest and most heartfelt gratitude to every reader, visitor, supporter, and contributor across 227 countries who has accompanied me on this remarkable journey.

What began as a personal commitment to writing about Croatia, its history, its struggle for independence, its political developments, and the enduring spirit of its people has grown into fifteen years of commentary, reflection, research, and advocacy. Throughout these years, my guiding conviction has remained unchanged: Croatia’s truth deserves to be told, its history deserves to be respected, and the sacrifices made for its freedom must never be forgotten.

Writing about Croatia has never been merely an exercise in putting words on a page. It has been a labour of love, a matter of conscience, and a deeply personal commitment to the country of my heritage and the ideals of freedom, democracy, justice, and national dignity.

To those who have followed my writing faithfully over the years, to those who have shared my articles across continents, offered encouragement, contributed thoughtful comments, challenged my views, or simply taken the time to read, I extend my sincere thanks. Your presence has given meaning and purpose to countless hours of research, writing, and reflection.

I am especially grateful to the Croatian diaspora, whose enduring love for the homeland continues to inspire me. Our attachment to Croatia is not diminished by distance or the passing of generations. It lives in our memories, our values, our determination to preserve the truth, and our hopes for Croatia’s future.

Over these fifteen years, there have been moments of pride and celebration, but also moments of disappointment, frustration, and profound concern. Yet through it all, I have remained convinced that independent thought, open discussion, and the courage to question those in power are essential to safeguarding the freedom for which so many sacrificed so much.

To every reader who has walked even a small part of this journey with me: thank you. Whether you have agreed or disagreed with my views, your interest in Croatia and its future has helped sustain this blog and the conversations it seeks to inspire.

As I look back on fifteen years of writing, I do so with gratitude, humility, and renewed determination. There are still stories to tell, historical truths to explore, injustices to challenge, and achievements to celebrate.

May the years ahead bring Croatia ever closer to the democratic ideals, justice, prosperity, and national dignity for which generations of Croatians, both at home and throughout the diaspora, have struggled.

Thank you for reading, for caring, for sharing, and for keeping the conversation about Croatia alive.

Here is to fifteen years of words written from the heart, and to the enduring love of a free and independent Croatia.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Ina Vukic

Sydney, Australia

October 2026

Long live our eternal and independent Croatia! 🇭🇷

Petnaest godina pisanja na mom blogu. Petnaest godina dijeljenja priča, borbi, uspjeha i nada Hrvatske. Petnaest godina nepokolebljive ljubavi prema domovini.

Dok obilježavam 15. obljetnicu svog bloga „Croatia, the War, and the Future” (Hrvatska, rat i budućnost), želim izraziti najdublju i najiskreniju zahvalnost svakom čitatelju, posjetitelju, podupiratelju i suradniku iz 227 zemalja koji me pratio na ovom izvanrednom putovanju.

Ono što je započelo kao osobna predanost pisanju o Hrvatskoj, njezinoj povijesti, borbi za neovisnost, političkim zbivanjima i neuništivom duhu njezina naroda, preraslo je u petnaest godina komentiranja, promišljanja, istraživanja i zalaganja. Tijekom svih tih godina moje je temeljno uvjerenje ostalo nepromijenjeno: istina o Hrvatskoj zaslužuje biti ispričana, njezina povijest zaslužuje poštovanje, a žrtve podnesene za njezinu slobodu nikada se ne smiju zaboraviti.

Pisanje o Hrvatskoj nikada nije bilo tek puko nizanje riječi na papir. Bio je to posao iz ljubavi, pitanje savjesti i duboko osobna predanost zemlji mojih korijena te idealima slobode, demokracije, pravde i nacionalnog dostojanstva.

Svima onima koji su godinama vjerno pratili moje tekstove, koji su dijelili moje članke diljem kontinenata, pružali podršku, davali promišljene komentare, preispitivali moja stajališta ili jednostavno odvojili vrijeme za čitanje – upućujem iskrenu zahvalu. Vaša je prisutnost dala smisao i svrhu bezbrojnim satima istraživanja, pisanja i promišljanja.

Posebno sam zahvalna hrvatskoj dijaspori, čija me trajna ljubav prema domovini neprestano nadahnjuje. Našu povezanost s Hrvatskom ne umanjuju ni udaljenost ni smjena naraštaja. Ona živi u našim sjećanjima, našim vrijednostima, našoj odlučnosti da očuvamo istinu i našim nadama u budućnost Hrvatske.

Tijekom ovih petnaest godina bilo je trenutaka ponosa i slavlja, ali i trenutaka razočaranja, frustracije i duboke zabrinutosti. Ipak, kroz sve to, ostala sam uvjerena da su neovisno razmišljanje, otvorena rasprava i hrabrost preispitivanja onih na vlasti ključni za očuvanje slobode za koju su mnogi toliko toga žrtvovali.

Svakom čitatelju koji je sa mnom prošao barem dio ovog puta: hvala vam. Bez obzira na to jeste li se slagali s mojim stajalištima ili ne, vaš interes za Hrvatsku i njezinu budućnost pomogao je održati ovaj blog i rasprave koje on nastoji potaknuti.

Dok se osvrćem na petnaest godina pisanja, činim to sa zahvalnošću, poniznošću i obnovljenom odlučnošću. Još uvijek postoje priče koje treba ispričati, povijesne istine koje treba istražiti, nepravde kojima se treba suprotstaviti i postignuća koja treba slaviti.

Neka godine pred nama još više približe Hrvatsku demokratskim idealima, pravdi, blagostanju i nacionalnom dostojanstvu za koje su se borile generacije Hrvata, kako u domovini tako i u dijaspori.

Hvala vam što čitate, što vam je stalo, što dijelite sadržaj i što održavate živom raspravu o Hrvatskoj.

U čast petnaest godina riječi napisanih iz srca i trajne ljubavi prema slobodnoj i neovisnoj Hrvatskoj.

Uz iskrenu zahvalnost,

Ina Vukić

Sydney, Australija

Listopad 2026.

Živjela nam vječna i slobodna Hrvatska! 🇭🇷

33 responses to “Celebrating 15 Years of Blog Writing About Croatia – A Heartfelt Thank You to My Readers”

  1. Anna Avatar

    A great achievement Ina! Thanks so much for sharing all your knowledge over the years! As a child of Croatian immigrants you have taught me so much about my country of origin. Keep doing your amazing work! X

  2. Balladeer Avatar

    Congratulations!

    1. inavukic Avatar

      Thank you!

  3. MichaelBennett Avatar
    MichaelBennett

    Thank you so much for your perseverance and bringing the truth about Croatia to light! It is a virtue to speak for people which have no voice! And, “do not go gentle into that good night!”.

    1. inavukic Avatar

      Cheers, Michael- what guiding and encouraging words!

  4. ARBIND KUMAR Avatar

    So great!

    1. inavukic Avatar

      Thank you, Arbind!

  5. lobotero Avatar

    Thank you for helping me understand Croatia and the region…..I appreciate it…..chuq

    1. inavukic Avatar

      Aww, thank you, Chuq!Cheers!

      1. lobotero Avatar

        Always a pleasure…..chuq

  6. almerighi Avatar

    Good morning Ina!

    1. inavukic Avatar

      Cheers, Almerighi!

  7. Zrinka Stampalia Avatar
    Zrinka Stampalia

    Poštovana Ina,

    Neka Naš Nebeski Otac Blagoslovi Tebe i Tvoj 15-godišnji rad na praćenju i širenju Vijesti o Hrvatskoj, i nadahnjuje te da i dalje ustraješ u svome domoljubnom novinarskom radu🇭🇷🙏🏼🇺🇸

    1. inavukic Avatar

      Puno hvala, Zrinka!

  8. Priestess Sekhmet Avatar

    Thanks for sharing and supporting! I love historical works and learning about other cultures. Looking forward to subscribing to your blog.🩷🙏

  9. […] Celebrating 15 Years of Blog Writing About Croatia – A Heartfelt Thank You to My Readers – Croat… […]

  10. Jonathan Caswell Avatar

    LIKE VINTAGE WINE, INA AND I grow older, wiser and more determined than ever to speak our piece! Your faithfulness to report the disappointing is equal to your love to celebrate all of Croatian good. You are the voice of the Croatian Diaspora and a valued advocate for your homeland’s future in part by not whitewashing the past and not accepting the vested interest narratives of those who hate the truth within its government. Your firm stand has emboldened your countrymen and women to clearheadedly demand a say in Croatia’s fate among the nations of the world and especially those peoples formerly dominated by Communism, whose remnants still remain.

    –

    The people of the world including me, your humble follower, are grateful to you for doing all this! You and your initial 15 years are highly cherished by all of us—even your opponents show you grudging respect —PROVERBS 16:7—! I am honored to call you, Ina, my friend! Happy 15th Anniversary!

    1. inavukic Avatar

      Thank you so much, Jonathan. Much appreciated!

  11. preacher01704 Avatar
    preacher01704

    Congratulations You are doing well, keep up the good work.

    1. inavukic Avatar

      Thank you!

  12. Graham Stephen Avatar

    here’s to next 15! 🏆

    ▪️◾◼️⬛◼️◾▪️▫️◽◻️⬜◻️◽▫️▪️◾◼️⬛◼️◾▪️

    1. inavukic Avatar

      Thanks, Graham!

      1. Graham Stephen Avatar

        ✨🙏🙇‍♂️

  13. Elisa Avatar
    Elisa

    Félicitations, congratulations! You deserve a lifetime supply of Croatian wine on your doorstep along with an assortment of chocolates.

    Although I haven’t commented much on your blog this year, I’m still reading!

    1. inavukic Avatar

      Aww, thank you Elisa 🙂

  14. 7luigiitau Avatar
    7luigiitau

    Congratulation and thanks even I not a Croat had been there and lived just over the border for half my life during the communist brutal regime on my visit. Croatia story is also directly effected my pour father and family. Ciao

    1. inavukic Avatar

      Thank you, Luigi. Let’s hope our children and grandchildren will never know firsthand what it is like to live under a totalitarian regime.

  15. Philip Edwards Avatar

    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    1. inavukic Avatar

      Thank you, Philip!

      1. Philip Edwards Avatar

        Hi and thanks for sharing your great posts with us! Wishing you a wonderful Wednesday…😊⭐️🍁⭐️😊

      2. inavukic Avatar

        Thank you and cheers, Philip!

  16. Carol A. Hand Avatar
    Carol A. Hand

    Thank you for sharing such a troubling yet heroic history, Ina, along with the beauty of Croatia, its fascinating culture, and its hopes for a future of peace and prosperity. I’m grateful for the chance I’ve had to learn from your blog and wish you many more years of success. 🪶❤️

    1. inavukic Avatar

      Thank you so much, Carol!

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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.