50 years of the Croatian Cultural Center in Chicago

Group photo with board members of the Croatian Cultural Center of Chicago, various Croatian organizations, students of Hrvatska Loza and Prime Minister Plenković

Over 500 guests attend, including a special visit by the Croatian Prime Minister Plenković

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 – The Croatian Cultural Center of Chicago celebrated its 50th anniversary on Saturday September 28 with a special gala event attended by over 500 guests from the Chicagoland area and various cities from the U.S. and Croatia.

“Our center has been a home away from home for five generations of Croatians. This gala serves as a reunion for our community to celebrate our shared experiences over the past 50 years. From weddings, concerts and holiday celebrations to the promotion of educational and cultural programs, we have much to be proud of,” said Nikola Soldo, president Croatian Cultural Center Chicago.

“This gathering also allows us to honor the hundreds of volunteers who have helped, and continue to help, keep our traditions and heritage alive. We hope this inspires future generations to continue on with the same mission.”

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and Croatian Consul General of Chicago Sanja Laković greeting students from Hrvatska Loza as they enter the center

The anniversary was marked by a special visit from Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, Croatian Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić-Radman and other Croatian government officials who stopped in Chicago as part of their official multi-city visit to the United States.

The Prime Minister was met by youth from the tamburitza and dance group Hrvatska Loza as he entered the venue.

A special recognition of 90-year-old Mrs. Elza Grbavac, the center’s oldest living member

Plenković greeted the crowd in Croatian and provided updates on several key economic and social initiatives including Croatia’s entry into the Global Entry program to ease travel for citizens, advances in the energy sector, continued efforts to secure interest from American investments and partnerships and Croatia’s first ever “A-” credit rating earned recently from Standard & Poor and Fitch.

He also acknowledged the critical role the Croatian diaspora, in particular Chicago, had in supporting Croatia’s independence over 30 years ago. That support included fundraisers, essential supplies and volunteers, highlighting the presence Werner Ilić, Chicago-born Croatian-American who joined to serve in the Croatian military during the 1990s.

Chicago-born Croatian-American students of Hrvatska Loza get ready to enjoy the 50th gala celebration

Plenković later took time to speak to guests and ventured into the kitchen to thank the Croatian cooks for the homemade meal served. Before leaving the center, Chicago-born Croatian artist Ivan Mikan presented the Prime Minister with a gift, a hand-painted work of art depicting “Zagreb in the Winter”.

Croatian-American artist Ivan Mikan presents Prime Minister Plenković with his artwork

Mikan has been a long-time supporter, having donated his time to hand-paint the murals adorning the center’s exterior, which depict beauty landscapes of key regions from Croatia.

The evening continued with acknowledgements of past and current members who have made contributions over the years, including a special message from Father Ivo Plenković, one of the center’s original founders and Croatian Dominican spiritual leaders for Chicago’s Croatian community on the north side.

Former Hrvatska Škola teacher Jadranka Berkec-Schechinger and her son Maks, former alum of Hrvatska Škola and current member of Hrvatska Loza

In his message, he thanked the original founder, Croatian Dominican Father Hijacint Eterović, for his vision and for those who helped carry it on over the years. He talked about the early days, where the goal of the Croatian Catholic Mission was to help the community stay together through faith and traditions.

It became a pivotal time to create a community space where families could gather, eat and be social. He also shared his hope that future generations embrace the call to preserve their faith and heritage, by carrying on the tradition of servant leadership and volunteering their skills and talent to the center.

Prime Minister Plenkovic visits the chefs of the Croatian Cultural Center of Chicago

The Dominicans continued to support the north side community up until 2006 when Father Nikola Dugandžić retired, and the role of spiritual advisors transitioned to the Croatian Franciscans.

Father Dražan Boras, parish priest at Blessed Alojzije Stepinac in Rogers Park and spiritual advisor at the center, held a moment of silence to honor the deceased members of the center and also led the official prayer and blessing of the food.

Father Drazan Boras, spiritual advisor of the Croatian Cultural Center of Chicago addresses guests

He also recited a few lines from the poem “Moj Dom” by Silvije Strahimir Kranjčević which resonated with the evening’s theme of a “home away from home”.

Ja domovinu imam; tek u grud sam je skrio

I bježat moram svijet;

U vijencu mojih sanja već sve je pogazio,

Al ovaj nije cvijet.

Slobode koji nema, taj o slobodi sanja,

Ah, ponajljepši san;

I moja žedna duša tom sankom mom se klanja

I pozdravlja joj dan.

The center opened its doors on September 24,1977, after purchasing and renovating a grocery store located at 2845 W. Devon Avenue in Chicago’s West Rogers Park neighborhood. Since opening, the center has collaborated with local elected officials to ensure the Croatian community has a voice. In fact, Croatian-American Michael Bilandic, Chicago’s 49th Mayor, spoke at the 1977 grand opening.

For this milestone year, Senator Ram Villivalam of the 8th District of the state of Illinois, addressed the gala guests with a heartfelt message, highlighting the importance of celebrating our diversity and his shared experiences as the son of an immigrant. He later presented the center with an official Proclamation issued by the 133rd General Assembly of the State of Illinois.

Illinois Senator Ram Villivalam presents Center president Nikola Soldo with a special Proclamation from the Illinois General Assembly for the Croatian Cultural Center of Chicago

A few blocks west of the center, the Alderman of Chicago’s most ethnically diverse neighborhood sends her message of support.

“For five decades, the Croatian Cultural Center has been a beacon of cultural education, social connection, and community spirit in the heart of Chicago’s 50th Ward. Its efforts have ensured that our diverse community’s many rich traditions and heritage continue to thrive and offer a place where we can all come together to celebrate who we are. Congratulations on this momentous occasion,” said Alderman Debra Silverstein, 50th Ward City of Chicago.

Three generations of Renko women, plus a future 4th generation on the way – Maryann, Medena and Lela

Since 1977, over 1,000 memberships have been issued to families and individuals resulting in over five generations of Croatians coming through the doors of the center.

Over 1,500 students have graduated from Hrvatska Škola, the center’s Croatian language school which has hosted weekly lessons and organized special Christmas and Mother’s Day performances.

Over 500 students have participated in Hrvatska Loza, an organization dedicated to fostering learning and adopting Croatian folk music and dancing into performances since 1979.

Today, these educational programs continue to provide a foundation for youth to better understand and adopt the Croatian language, it’s history and traditions.

Additionally, other religious, political, social and athletic organizations have found a home under the umbrella of the center over the years and to this day, work to unite the community through shared values and aspirations.

“Our founding members, new to Chicago at the time, shared a motivation to create a place where commonality, through shared heritage and traditions prevailed. Their mission still lives in the hearts and minds of our members and how we operate today,” added Soldo.

For more information, visit www.croatianculturalcenterchicago.com