Croatian emigrants’ global project showcased in Argentina at Universidad del Oeste
- by croatiaweek
- in News
(Photo credit: Nada P Matulich)
By Branka B Filipovic
Universidad del Oeste (UNO), operational for just 14 years, already boasts a campus that accommodates 35,000 students. Located in San Antonio de Padua, within the populous municipality of Merlo in the Buenos Aires province, UNO has recently become a hub for education.
According to city councilor and former president of the City Assembly, Pablo Rendich, County Prefect Gustavo Menéndez has invested significant effort to ensure optimal conditions and free education for young individuals. Many of these students are the first in their families to ever attend university. Despite the challenging economic situation in the country, there is a commitment to investing in education.
(Photo credit: Nada P Matulich)
On Tuesday, October 28, in a packed auditorium at the UNO university rectory, an exhibition and book presentation took place. The exhibition, titled “Croatians United by the Tie,” is authored by Branka Bezić Filipović. Alongside 23 panels, the exhibition featured ties crafted using the papier-mâché technique by the Split-based artist Nives Čičin Šain.
The event was characterized as international, beginning with the playing of the Croatian and Argentine anthems—a customary practice for international gatherings in their culture. The opening remarks were given by rector Roberto Gallo and councilor Pablo Rendich, who shared his Croatian heritage from Sutivan on the island of Brač. Following this, the initiator of the Tie Project, Nada Pritisanac Matulich, spoke about the history of the tie and the project’s objectives. Branka Bezić Filipović elaborated on the book, and the exhibition was officially opened by County Prefect Gustavo Menendez.
(Photo credit: Nada P Matulich)
Representatives from other universities attended the event, and the presence of Josea Bana from Venada Tuerta, 400 km away in the Province of Santa Fe, was particularly notable. Bana, a participant in the project and the director of an Agricultural School, enthralled everyone with his dedication.
(Photo credit: Nada P Matulich)
After the opening and the agreed collaboration with the Aspira University in Split, journalist Juan Andres Paulenko conducted interviews with the attendees. The gathering continued with socializing and exploring the exhibition, accompanied by a fitting reception.
