The power of unity among Croatians in South America

(Photo: Nada Pritisanac Matulich)

By Branka Bezić Filipović

Representatives of Croatian global and national organisations from North America have travelled for the second time to participate in and support the Second Conference of Women in South America and the Eighth Conference of Croatians in South America, held in São Paulo.

Last year, for the first time in the history of these conferences, representatives of Croatian organisations from North America actively took part in the Seventh Conference in Montevideo, Uruguay, to support Croatians in South America and initiate cooperation.

At the same time, they attended the First Conference of Women in South America in Buenos Aires, Argentina, encouraging participants to engage in active collaboration.

Over the past year, this cooperation has borne significant fruit – individuals, media, and organisations have established connections, and numerous projects have been launched.

The grand opening of the Eighth Conference was honoured by speeches from representatives of the city of São Paulo and the Parliamentary Group for Croatian-Brazilian Friendship.

(Photo: Nada Pritisanac Matulich)

A special musical contribution was provided by the tamburitza orchestra of the Croatian Home from Montevideo, as well as folklore groups from Antofagasta, Chile – Hrvatska Mladost, the Croatian Association for Mutual Aid, and Hrvatska Jeka.

The Jadran Folklore Ensemble, operating under SADA (Sociedade Amigos da Dalmácia), performed an adaptation of the final act of the opera Ero s onoga svijeta.

Further contributions to the celebratory programme were made by the choir of the Croatian Society Croatia Sacra Paulistana from São Paulo and talented performers Liam Kvaternik Fernandes Leite, Ariana Gomez Morales, Yuri Ber, and Mirko Kelemen.

(Photo: Nada Pritisanac Matulich)

The conferences brought together numerous descendants of Croatian emigrants from across South America.

Among the attendees were representatives of global and national organisations from North America, as well as Croatian institutions – ambassadors, honorary consuls, a delegate from the Government of the Republic of Croatia, a Member of the European Parliament, and representatives of the Ministry of Demographics and Immigration, the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, the State Office for Croatians Abroad, the Croatian Heritage Foundation, and Croatian Radio-Television.

On behalf of the Global Organisation American Croatian Congress (ACC) Chapter Norway, Marija Benasić addressed the participants.

(Photo: Nada Pritisanac Matulich)

She has been actively involved in the Croatian community in Oslo for more than 50 years. Anna Galović, a representative of ACC Chapter Slovakia, also extended her greetings. She has worked for decades to preserve Croatian cultural heritage and language.

(Photo: Nada Pritisanac Matulich)

Nada Pritisanac Matulich presented the work of the ACC within the Project Kravata for distinguished Croatians in the diaspora and the ACC, in her capacity as global president.

She invited all interested parties to join the project, especially as an expanded edition of the book is in preparation.

(Photo: Nada Pritisanac Matulich)

She also introduced Hrvatska Iseljenička Lirika New York (HIL NY), an ACC member association, inviting poets from South America to join and encouraging everyone to participate in the celebration of HIL NY’s 25th anniversary at the Croatian Catholic Mission Astoria in New York next month.

Pritisanac Matulich also presented the Association of Croatian American Professionals (ACAP), where she is serving her second term on the Board of Directors at the national level.

She discussed the work of the ACAP Foundation and the Domovina project, emphasising that registration for the Domovina programme remains open until the end of the month, allowing young people to still apply.

She then invited representatives of Croatian organisations in South America to publish announcements on their informational platforms regarding the celebration of the 1100th anniversary of the Croatian Kingdom.

She highlighted that 52 events will be held in various locations in the homeland for this occasion and encouraged participation. Additionally, she introduced the Brotherhood of the Croatian Dragon, which will be a key organiser of these events.

At the conclusion of her presentation, Nada was awarded a gold medal by Radio Podcast Bar Croata from Rosario, Argentina, for her efforts in preserving Croatian identity worldwide. She is the first recipient of this unique honour in North America.

(Photo: Nada Pritisanac Matulich)

The programme of the Eighth Gathering of Croatian Emigrants in South America concluded with a visit to the MorumBIS sports stadium and Croatian associations Croatia Sacra Paulistana and SADA, reaffirming once again the strength of unity and the deep love for the homeland.

(Photo: Nada Pritisanac Matulich)