Fifteen People of Croatian Descent Granted Croatian Citizenship in Chile

Fifteen people were granted Croatian citizenship and took the oath of allegiance at a ceremony in Santiago, Chile, in the presence of Zvonko Milas, State Secretary at the Central State Office for Croats Abroad.

The ceremony took place ahead of the 9th Gathering of the Croatian Diaspora in South America, which opens today in Córdoba, Argentina. A team from Voice of Croatia is also covering the event.

The citizenship certificates were presented at the Estadio Croata Croatian Club, in the presence of Croatia's Ambassador to Chile, Mira Martinec, and numerous members of the Croatian community.

It was an emotional occasion for the new Croatian citizens and a powerful affirmation of the enduring ties between descendants of Croatian emigrants and the homeland of their ancestors.

Milas: Love of the homeland is passed down through generations

Speaking at a dinner with members of the Croatian community, State Secretary Zvonko Milas highlighted how generations of Croatians in Chile had managed to preserve their roots, identity and sense of belonging to the Croatian nation while building lives far from their ancestral homeland.

Drawing on his own experience in Vukovar, he stressed that love of one's homeland goes beyond the place of birth and is passed down from one generation to the next, even among descendants of emigrants who have never lived in Croatia.

Strengthening ties between Croatia and Chile

During his official visit to Chile, Milas, accompanied by Ambassador Mira Martinec, held a series of meetings with representatives of Chilean institutions and the Croatian community in Valparaíso and Santiago.

In Valparaíso, he met with representatives of the Valparaíso Croatian Club and visited the Pascual Baburizza Museum, which highlights the contribution of Croatian immigrants to Chile's cultural life.

At Chile's National Congress, Milas attended a session of the Chamber of Deputies and met with First Vice-President Felipe Camaño and Secretary-General Miguel Landeros.

He also held talks with members of the Chile–Croatia Parliamentary Friendship Group, led by MP Catalina del Real Mihovilovic, focusing on ways to further strengthen cooperation and friendly relations between the two countries.

In Santiago, Milas met with members of the Croatian Government's Council for Croats Abroad to discuss the situation of the Croatian community, the preservation of its identity and ways to strengthen its ties with the homeland.

Córdoba brings together Croatians from across South America

The citizenship ceremony in Chile also served as a fitting prelude to the 9th Gathering of the Croatian Diaspora in South America, taking place in Córdoba, Argentina, from November 5 to 8.

More than 500 participants from around ten countries are expected to attend. The gathering focuses on preserving Croatian identity, strengthening ties between diaspora communities and promoting cultural, scientific and economic cooperation with Croatia.

A team from Voice of Croatia is also in Córdoba, bringing audiences reports, interviews and interesting stories about Croatian communities across South America.