Croatian Culture Week proclaimed in Los Angeles County
- by croatiaweek
- in News
22 May 2024 – The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a motion by Supervisor Janice Hahn to proclaim this week, May 20 through May 26, 2024, as “Croatian Culture Week” throughout Los Angeles County.
Supervisor Hahn lives in and represents the community of San Pedro, which is home to one of the largest Croatian American populations in the United States.
Croatian immigrants—largely from the Dalmatian Coast—began to arrive in the area at the turn of the 20th century to work in the harbor’s fishing and canning industries.
A second wave of Croatian immigrants arrived after the second world war as refugees from Yugoslavia. Today, there are over 30,000 residents of Croatian descent in the San Pedro area and is home to Croatian American hubs like Croatian American Hall and the Dalmatian American Club.
“San Pedro would not be San Pedro without the Croatian community and the Croatian culture and traditions that have shaped our town,” said Hahn.
“There are few other places in the United States where the community rallies behind the Croatian team in the World Cup, or where the average person has even heard of ćevapčići. Croatian Culture Week is an annual opportunity to recognize and celebrate the Croatian community in San Pedro and across LA County.”
This marks the second year that Hahn has proclaimed Croatian Culture Week in Los Angeles County, following last year’s inaugural declaration in partnership with Los Angeles City Councilman Tim McOsker.
This weekend is the 34th Annual Croatian Independence Day Street Party Celebration at Croatian American Hall on Sunday, May 26 from 11:30 am-10:00 pm, featuring traditional Croatian music, dancing and food.