Inaugural Week of Croats Abroad concludes with more than 1,000 participants

The inaugural Week of Croats Abroad officially came to a close on Sunday with an event encouraging visitors to send letters and postcards to relatives and friends in Croatian communities around the world.

A commemorative stamp bearing the inscription "Week of Croats Abroad" was issued for the occasion.

Organizers declared the week-long series of events a success, saying it brought together more than 1,000 participants from Croatia and Croatian communities abroad.

State Secretary Zvonko Milas, head of the Central State Office for Croats Abroad, expressed satisfaction with the turnout and the overall success of the event.

He said the week had demonstrated the strong ties connecting Croats in Croatia with those living abroad, while also showcasing the richness and diversity of Croatian communities around the world.

Milas noted that the many cultural events, roundtable discussions, artistic programs and academic presentations held throughout the week highlighted the significant contributions made by Croats abroad and underscored the importance of recognizing their achievements as an integral part of Croatian culture.

"All of their hard work deserves a place in the Croatian public space and Croatian culture," Milas said.

The Week of Croats Abroad is a new permanent national observance established by the Croatian Parliament and will be held annually during the last week of May. Its goal is to increase the visibility of Croats living outside Croatia, raise awareness of their contribution to the creation and development of the Croatian state, and strengthen ties among Croats worldwide.

The initiative encompasses Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina, members of Croatian national minorities in neighboring and other countries, the Croatian diaspora and their descendants, as well as returnees and immigrants to Croatia.

The event was officially opened on May 25 and featured a wide range of programs in Zagreb and Zagreb County, including cultural, artistic and academic events, roundtable discussions, public forums, a session of the Government Council for Croats Abroad, the "Cultural Walk of Croats Abroad" at Zagreb's European Square, and a number of ceremonial and commemorative gatherings.