Jubilee 10th Molizaiko Celebrates Croatian Unity

The traditional meeting between homeland Croatia and the Molise Croats in Italy, Molizaiko, was held for the milestone tenth time in Kruč (Acquaviva Collecroce) in the Italian region of Molise. The event regularly gathers representatives from key Croatian institutions to ensure the Molise community receives much-needed logistical, financial, and political support from Croatia, helping them survive as a recognized linguistic minority.

The gathering was organized by the "Jedna Musika" Association, led by Antonella D'Antuono from Kruč, and the "Croatian-Italian Mosaic Rome" Association, led by President Ivana Milina and Vice President Zrinka Bačić. It drew numerous guests and visitors from Croatia, Italy, Vojvodina, and Slovenia, alongside representatives from the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in the Italian Republic, various Croatian institutions, the diplomatic-consular network, and members of the Advisory Council of the Government of the Republic of Croatia for Croats Abroad.

On behalf of the Central State Office for Croats Abroad and State Secretary Zvonko Milas, the event was attended by Deputy State Secretary Dario Magdić. He emphasized that for over five centuries, the Molise Croats have preserved the awareness of their roots, their customs, and their unique na-našo dialect, which forms a valuable part of Croatian, Italian, and European cultural heritage. He added that the Central State Office will continue to support projects that connect Croatian communities, preserve language and heritage, and especially involve children and youth, ensuring that what previous generations preserved continues to live on in the future. In closing, he congratulated the organizers, performers, participants, and all friends of the Molise Croats on the tenth jubilee Molizaiko.

For the first time in history, Bunjevci Croats from Bačka traveled to visit the Molise Croats in Italy. This historic meeting is part of their central grand jubilee tour celebrating their 80th anniversary of activity. They remarked that they danced their most beautiful traditional Bunjevačko momačko kolo at the 10th Molizaiko with our Molise Croats in Italy. In addition to folklore, they presented the art of straw weaving through the exhibition "The Golden Hands of Straw Artists - Art of the Bačka Plains" and held a workshop for creating straw objects, where the artists demonstrated their skill in creating paintings out of straw to all participants. The movie From Grain to Painting, directed by Branko Ištvančić, was also screened.

Molizaiko is an exceptional event, serving as the main cultural and emotional bridge connecting the two shores of the Adriatic Sea – the homeland and the Molise Croats in Italy.