Croatian tie project showcased at Melbourne’s new arts venue

(Photo: Vesna Trokter)

By Vesna Trokter

Nada Pritisanac Matulich, the initiator and leader of the “Cravat of Distinguished Croats in the Diaspora and Returnees” project, under the theme “Croats United by the Cravat,” authored by Branka Bezić Filipović, travelled from the United States to Australia to present this successful initiative at the newly opened Arts Villa in Bonnie Brook, Melbourne.

Her visit to Australia was primarily dedicated to supporting, congratulating, and paying tribute to Steve Ravić, as well as Charles and Christa Billich, co-owners of this unique artistic complex.

Australian-Croatian film director and arts promoter Steve Ravić, together with Christa Billich and Croatian-Australian artist Charles Billich, collaborated in the establishment of this joint venture.

(Photo: Vesna Trokter)

Ravić’s aim is to create a sanctuary for creatives and art enthusiasts. Arts Villa offers an inspiring space infused with elements of Croatian culture and serves as the official home of Majestic Film and Entertainment and the Billich Museum and Gallery, a unique attraction for visitors.

This initiative will provide numerous opportunities for both aspiring and established artists, including unprecedented networking possibilities for talented members of the Croatian community in Australia.

(Photo: Vesna Trokter)

Steve Ravić, curator of the museum and the visionary behind the initiative, brought this project to life in collaboration with Vesna Trokter, Ante Ravić, Christa Billich, Charles Billich, and their team.

In his speech, Ravić congratulated Nada on her “Croats United by the Cravat” initiative, highlighting how it has facilitated connections between Croats from the homeland and the diaspora, bringing them together through the symbolic cravat/scarf, an invention attributed to the Croatian people.

A special tribute was also paid to the veterans of the Homeland War for Croatian independence.

Among the attendees was Krešimir Malić, President of HVIDRA (the association of foreign volunteers), who was born in Australia but left to defend Croatia.

Steve Ravić, himself a veteran of the Homeland War, received a special award from the Croatian Club for International Cooperation (a United Nations member in New York) for his dedication to truth, justice, and the promotion of human rights, as well as for his efforts in establishing and opening Arts Villa.

(Photo: Vesna Trokter)

Additionally, the Association of Croatian American Professionals (ACAP) presented Ravić with an award for his speaking engagements at their events and his contributions to the promotion of Croatian art, film, and music.

Charles Billich, Christa Billich, Vesna Trokter, Ante Ravić, and Majestic Film and Entertainment were also honoured with awards from the American-Croatian Congress for their role in the opening of Arts Villa and the Billich Museum and Gallery.

Thanks to Ilija Raguž, owner of Stone and Vine Co., guests enjoyed Croatian wines and spirits from Podrumi Andrija winery in Čitluk.

(Photo: Vesna Trokter)

Nada Pritisanac Matulich expressed her gratitude to the Billich-Ravić team for their immense support from the very beginning of the project’s presentation, at a time when no one could have anticipated the level of interest it would generate among Croatian expatriates.

She offered special thanks to Charles Billich, who, for the inaugural lecture and exhibition “Croats United by the Cravat,” painted Croatian knights with scarves around their necks, as seen in the early 17th century.

(Photo: Vesna Trokter)

Nada also expressed her admiration for the unique exhibition of Billich’s masterpieces featuring Croatian themes, as well as the presentation of immersive art developed by Ante Ravić and his team, including Billich’s own work.

(Photo: Vesna Trokter)

Vesna Trokter emphasised how proud she is to be part of this project and extended “an invitation to all visitors to Melbourne to come and experience the unique Arts Villa complex.” For private presentations, interested parties can contact +61 451 499 013 or email info@majesticfilm.com.

Additionally, art collectors have the opportunity to purchase official limited-edition prints, mixed-media pieces, and original works by the world’s most renowned living surrealist, Charles Billich.