Visit to Sudbury – A love letter to Croatian identity and a tear for Vukovar 

Croatian Center in Sudbury (Photo: Consulate General in Mississauga)

In the heart of Ontario’s North, a story of longing, love, and heritage unfolds within Sudbury’s lakes of (g)old. It is there too, amidst the rugged landscapes and sky-soaring chimneys, that the Croatian identity found its roots in Canada.

It is in Sudbury that the inaugural Canadian-Croatian Folklore Festival cast its enchanting spell 49 years ago, weaving tales of tradition and pride that still echo through generations.

Sudbury, a crucible of Croatian culture, proudly cradles Adria – the oldest Croatian soccer club in Canada, a testament to the enduring passion that beats within the hearts of its people.

In 1934, against the backdrop of a world in flux, the Croatian Center in Sudbury emerged as a beacon of unity. Its foundations, laid with a commitment to preserve and celebrate Croatian heritage, stand as a testament to the resilience of a community that weathered the winds of change.

Croatian flag at the entrance of Sudbury (Photo: Consulate General in Mississauga)

There, in the heart of mining country, the story of the Sudbury’s Croatian community is not just a narrative; it is a love letter to the past, a celebration of the present, and a promise to the future.

(Photo: Consulate General in Mississauga)

Consul General of the Republic of Croatia in Mississauga Ante Jović with his associates and the Croatian Pastor in Mississauga Božidar Tenšek, visited the Croatian community in Sudbury.

Consul General of the Republic of Croatia in Mississauga Ante Jović (Photo: Consulate General in Mississauga)

They visited the Croatian Center dating back to 1934 and the Croatian Parish of Sv. Marko, where father Tenšek held a holy mass dedicated to Vukovar, Škabrnja and the victims of the Homeland war.

Croatian Parish of Sv. Marko (Photo: Consulate General in Mississauga)

Consul General also met with the Mayor of Sudbury Paul Lefebvre and with various members of the Croatian community, including the representatives of the Adria Sudbury soccer club – the oldest Croatian soccer club in Canada. A consular day was also held for the community with the aim of providing information about Croatian citizenship and other relevant subjects.

Mayor of Sudbury Paul Lefebvre with Consul General of the Republic of Croatia in Mississauga Ante Jović (Photo: Consulate General in Mississauga)

The Croatian community in Sudbury stands as a cultural cornerstone, a testament to the enduring significance of preserving one’s heritage in the embrace of a foreign land. Beyond the geographic boundaries, this community serves as a living bridge, connecting the present to a storied past.