Cravat project uniting Croats worldwide arrives in London

Cravat project uniting Croats worldwide arrives in London (Private album)

Branka Bezić Filipović

The fifteenth presentation of the Cravat Project was held at the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in London, in celebration of Croatian Statehood Day and the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia.

After the Croatian and British national anthems were performed by Mihael and Barbara Majetić, Davor Ljubanović, the plenipotentiary minister and chargé d’affaires, addressed the attendees, presenting a rich program.

In his speech, he emphasized that on this day, with special respect and lasting gratitude, we remember all Croatian defenders, as we paid for freedom, peace, and security with the highest price—the lives of the bravest and most deserving, thanks to whom we now have our own country.

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He highlighted the achievements we have accomplished as a young democratic state, a member of the European Union, the Eurozone, the Schengen Area, and NATO, expressing hope for fulfilling all set priorities. He also thanked the United Kingdom, the host country, for its hospitality and the increasingly better mutual relations in all areas, describing them vividly in English as: Partners, Allies, Friends.

Special thanks were extended to the association of British veterans of the Homeland War who participated in the liberation of Croatia, as well as to organizations of Croatian citizens operating in the United Kingdom and contributing to better mutual understanding and connection between the two countries.

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These include the British Croatian Society, the British Croatian Business Club, the Association of Croatian British Professionals, the British Croatian Chamber of Commerce, the Croatian Catholic Mission, and numerous individuals.

He also greeted Croatian military officers stationed at NATO headquarters in the United Kingdom, such as Commander Zoran Dražić, Colonel Silvijo Beganović, and Major Krešimir Horvat.

Ambassador Nicholas Jarrold, President of the British Croatian Society, then addressed the audience, followed by a performance of “Galeb” by Mihael and Barbara Majetić.

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Lastly, but as they say: The last but not least, the Cravat Project was presented by its initiator and leader, Nada Pritisanac Matulich, President of the American Croatian Congress (ACC) and a member of the Board of the American Croatian Association of Professionals (ACAP), who came from Los Angeles for this occasion.

She emphasized how this project has united Croats worldwide and that interest in it is growing. Over the past year, the project was presented fifteen times across three continents and in seven countries, and much work still lies ahead as it has gained global significance.

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The priority is to present this idea worldwide so that everyone learns who invented the cravat, a small clothing accessory that everyone has.

Branka Bezić Filipović, an associate for international relations at the Aspira College in Split and the author of the book and exhibition “Croats United by the Cravat,” spoke about the creation of the book and emphasized that through the project, we increase the visibility of Croatia in the world and teach everyone that even small nations can contribute to humanity in various ways.

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However, the presentation of the Cravat Project in London would not have been possible without the wholehearted help of our dear collaborators, Marija and Mislav Jogun, members of the ACC, who live in the United Kingdom. This is yet another example that our people around the world spare no effort when it comes to promoting their homeland, Croatia. Therefore, they deserve special thanks.

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The project, supported by ACC, ACAP, the ACAP Foundation, and CroDiaspora—the emigrant returnee association—also involves faithful followers from the Cravat Team, such as Slovak member Anna Galović of the ACC, who came to London with her daughter Paulina, and Marija Keser Benasić, an ACC member from Norway.

The hall of the Croatian embassy was too small to accommodate everyone who gladly responded to the invitation. It was an opportunity for new acquaintances and the arrangement of collaborations. Among those present were other Croats living in London, such as Stephanie Grbčić, journalists Adrian Chiles, Brian Gallagher, and Mary Novaković, and professor Dine Smith.

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The highlight of the gathering was tasting Dalmatian specialties and fine wines. Thanks to Paul Jenča from the British Croatia Business Club, Croatia was represented by the Split restaurant Zrno soli, a long-time holder of a Michelin star, whose chefs Branimir Prnjak and Marko Đurašević, under the watchful eye of owner Ivo Vrdoljak, created a memorable feast for the palate.

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The pleasant atmosphere and the gracious hosts, embassy staff Loreta Bertoša Kušen, plenipotentiary minister, Davor Kristić, minister counselor, and first secretaries Iva Gudelj and Dajana Antonija Bebek, led by the accommodating Davor Ljubanović, chargé d’affaires, will also be remembered.