Croats in Minnesota Carefully Preserve Ties with Their Homeland

Thousands of kilometers away from Croatia, in St. Paul, Minnesota, the Croatian Home has been a gathering place for generations of people for whom Croatia has remained a part of their identity. Some arrived here decades ago, while others are already the third or even fourth generation born in America. Yet, they preserve the ties with the homeland of their ancestors.

Julianne Greif is a singer and singing teacher. She was born in America, and her family roots lead her toward Sveti Juraj and Otočac. After spending her life in the United States, today she is seriously considering moving to Croatia.

"When I was little, my grandmother spoke only Croatian at home, so I grew up as a Croat in America. I have just returned from Croatia. I studied in Zagreb for four months, at the University of Zagreb. I passed the A1 level and will return to continue learning. I have also submitted an application for Croatian citizenship and hope to live in Croatia soon."

"It is my heritage. It is who I am. I have lived as a Croat my whole life, and now I am ready to live in Croatia. I love Croatia, and I feel at home there."

The story of archaeologist Ivančica Dvoržak Šrank took the opposite direction. Born in Zagreb, as a student of archaeology and classical philology, she participated in archaeological excavations of Diocletian's Palace. In Split, she met an American who was working on the project as a photographer. Love then brought her to Minnesota, where she also completed her doctorate. She is a very active member of the Croatian community here in Minnesota.

"The community is vibrant; there aren't terribly many of us, and that’s OK, but we are well organized."

Ivančica says that the attitude of younger generations toward Croatia has changed significantly. She used to teach the Croatian language at the university and in the community, and today she also teaches it online.

"Now in the last few years, since Croatia has become quite popular in the world as a tourist destination, there are many more people who are actually seeking Croatian citizenship—some to return, some to be more connected with family there. So there is a greater connection and recognition for Croatia in a way."

Mara Sedlar Conroy arrived in America about forty years ago. Without knowing English, but with the help of the people she met there, she built a new life. Unlike those who dream of returning, she openly says—her life today is in America.

"Croatia is beautiful to visit, but after two weeks, I much prefer to come back. I love my comfort, my car, and my house more than a small apartment. My husband, he would move to Croatia tomorrow because he adores Croatia."

And that husband is an American, Timothy Conroy. He visited Croatia for the first time in 2004. Since then, he keeps returning to it, promotes it among his friends, and is working on obtaining Croatian citizenship.

"Croatia thrilled me. I have visited it many times and am working on getting Croatian citizenship; I want to become a Croatian citizen. And I use every opportunity I have in America to promote Croatia."

It was this very community that Croatian Defense Minister Ivan Anušić met during his visit to Minnesota, in a year when Croatia and the Minnesota National Guard mark three decades of cooperation. The minister recalled the role of the diaspora during the war, but also today.

"There are significant numbers of those who are returning. What is most important is that they want to return; it is up to us to create the preconditions for them to return, and they are being created."

And ties to Croatia here are not measured only in kilometers and generations. They are preserved through language, family stories, and return. Because the country their grandfathers and grandmothers once left is becoming a new home for their descendants.

Source: Voice of Croatia

Translated by Branko Lozančić