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Article 5
The Parties undertake to promote the condition necessary
for persons belonging to national minorities to maintain and
develop their culture, and to preserve the essential elements of
their identity, namely their religion, language, traditions and
cultural heritage.
Without prejudice to measures taken to pursuance of their
general integration policy, the Parties shall refrain from
policies or practices aimed at assimilation of persons belonging
to national minorities against their will and shall protect these
persons from any action at such assimilation.
Paragraph 1.
From the jurisdiction of the Ministry of
Administration:
The Constitution of the Republic of Croatia
and the Constitutional Act on Human Rights and Freedoms and the
Rights of Ethnic and National Minorities in the Republic of
Croatia safeguard, in addition to other human and civil rights,
special rights of persons belonging to national minorities. These
rights are traditionally exercised by members of national
minorities in the territory of the Republic of Croatia; however,
some forms of the exercise of minority rights were
institutionalized only with the passage of the Constitution of
the Republic of Croatia. This primarily relates to the mechanisms
for ensuring an adequate representation of minorities in the
representation bodies of the units of local self-government of
the Croatian State Parliament; before these mechanisms were in
place, minority representation in the representation bodies was
ensured through informal channels, i.e., political
references.
Furthermore, members of national minorities
are guaranteed the right to cultural autonomy which implies the
preservation of their characteristic values in the field of
culture and the media, as well as the right to education in their
own language, free use of their language in private and public
life, and the official use of minority languages under some
circumstances.
The Republic of Croatia has also been
attempting to define the status of national minorities through
bilateral agreements. Such agreements have so far been concluded
with Italy and Hungary and have been ratified. Negotiations are
under way with other countries whose national minorities have
traditionally lived in the Republic of Croatia.
As regards religious communities, all are
separate from the state and act independently. Neither the
Constitution of the Republic of Croatia nor the Constitutional
Act on Human Rights and Freedoms and the Rights of Ethnic and
National Communities or Minorities in the Republic of Croatia
associate any one religious denomination with any one ethnic
group.
From the jurisdiction of the Ministry of
Culture:
The Ministry of Culture is responsible for
designing and enforcing a cultural policy in the Republic of
Croatia, involving both the legislative and the legal and
professional aspects.
Laws regulating cultural affairs put members
of national minorities on a par with all other citizens of the
Republic of Croatia, and thus do not include any provisions
specifically pertaining to national minorities.
From the jurisdiction of the Office for
National Minorities of the Government of the Republic of
Croatia:
In compliance with the Constitution of the
Republic of Croatia, the Constitutional Act on Human Rights and
Freedoms and the Rights of Ethnic and National Communities or
Minorities in the Republic of Croatia and the country’s
entire legislation, the Republic of Croatia creates the
conditions for members of national minorities to exercise their
rights and ensures the protection and the development of their
cultural, religious, linguistic and ethnic identity.
All religious communities are equal and
separated from the state. Religious communities are free and are
not enumerated in the legislation.
From the Constitution of the Republic of
Croatia:
Article 12.
"The Croatian language and the Latin script
shall be in official use in the Republic of Croatia.
In specific local units, another language and
the Cyrillic or some other script may, along with the Croatian
language and the Latin script, be introduced into official use,
under conditions specified by the law."
Article 14.
"Every person and citizen in the Republic of
Croatia shall enjoy all rights and freedoms, regardless of his or
her race, colour, gender, language, religion, political or other
creed, national or social origin, property, birth, education,
social status or other properties.
All shall be equal before the law."
Article 15.
"Members of all national minorities in the
Republic of Croatia shall enjoy equal rights.
Members of national minorities are guaranteed
freedom of expression of their national identity, freedom to use
their own language and script, and cultural autonomy."
Article 26.
"All citizens and aliens shall be equal before
the courts, government bodies and other bodies vested with public
authority."
Article 39.
"Any call for or incitement to war or the use
of violence, to racial or religious hatred, or any other form of
intolerance shall be prohibited and punishable."
Article 40.
"Freedom of conscience and religion and a free
public expression of religious or other creed shall be
guaranteed."
Article 41.
"All religious communities shall be equal
before the law and separated from the state.
Religious communities shall be free, in
conformity with the law, to publicly perform religious services,
set up schools, teaching establishments and other institutions,
social and charitable institutions and to manage them, and shall
in their activities enjoy the protection and assistance of the
state."
From the Constitutional Law on Human Rights
and Freedoms and the Rights of Ethnic and National Minorities in
the Republic of Croatia:
Article 3.
"The Republic of Croatia protects the equality
of national and ethnic groups or minorities and encourages their
universal development."
Article 4.
"The Republic of Croatia shall assist the
development of relations between national and ethnic communities
or minorities with the nationality of their parent country in
order to promote their national, cultural and language
development.
Ethnic and national communities or minorities
have the right to self organization and association in order to
realize their national or other rights in compliance with the
Constitution of the Republic of Croatia and the present Law."
Article 5.
"Ethnic and national communities or minorities
in the Republic of Croatia are entitled to cultural autonomy
(Article 15. of the Constitution of the Republic of
Croatia)."
Article 6.
"The Republic of Croatia undertakes to ensure
for members of all ethnic and national communities and
minorities:
a) full observance of the principles of
non-descrimination as defined by international instruments in
Article 1 of this Law;
b) the right to protection from any activity
that may or could threaten their survival;
c) the right to identity, culture, religion,
public and private use of their language and script, and to
education;
d) the protection of equality in participating
in the public life, such as the right to political and economic
freedoms in the social sphere, access to media, and in the field
of education and cultural matters in general;
e) the right to decide to which ethnic and
national community or minority a citizen wishes to belong, and to
exercise all the rights associated with this choice, either
individually or in association with other persons. This right
particularly refers to cases of marriage between members of
different ethnic or national communities or minorities, without
any damage to the persons involved."
Article 7.
" Members of all ethnic and national
communities or minorities in the Republic of Croatia are entitled
to the free use of their language and script, both publicly and
privately.
In those municipalities in which members of a
national or ethnic community or minority represent the majority
of the local population, the language and script of that ethnic
and national community or minority shall be officially used
parallel to the Croatian language and the Latin script."
Article 8.
"Local self-government units may provide for
the official use of two or more languages and scripts, taking
into account the number of members and the interests of ethnic
and national communities or minorities."
Article 9.
"Possession and use of national or ethnic
emblems and symbols of national or ethnic communities or
minorities shall be free.
Parallel to the official use of emblems and
symbols of a particular national and ethnic community or
minority, the use of appropriate emblems and symbols of the
Republic of Croatia is mandatory.
Prior to the playing of the anthem or a solemn
song of a particular national and ethnic community or minority,
the national anthem of the Republic of Croatia shall inevitably
be played.
The statute of the local self-government units
may regulate the way in which the national flag and symbols of
national and ethnic communities or minorities are to be
used."
Article 20.
"In order to apply the provisions of the
present Law on the Rights of Ethnic and National Communities or
Minorities into the culture, education, access to public media
and the implementation of their proportional representation in
public services and other institutions in these areas, the
Government of Croatia has an Office for Inter-Ethnic
relations.
For the territory of one or more
municipalities in which the number of members of national or
ethnic communities or minorities and their interests require so,
the Government of the Republic of Croatia will establish a
regional Office for Inter-Ethnic Relations."
From the jurisdiction of the Ministry of
Culture:
1997 and 1998 saw the passage of a few laws in
the field of culture, including the Act on Libraries, the Act on
Archives, the Act on Changes and Amendments to the Act on
Theatres, and the Act on Museums.
These laws regulate the issues pertaining to
the setting up and the structure of cultural institutions, both
public and private, and the way they should operate. Under the
provisions of these laws, members of national minorities may
establish cultural institutions of interest to them in order to
realize their cultural autonomy and express their national and
cultural identity.
From the jurisdiction of the Ministry of
Labour and Welfare:
Article 3 of the Act on Public Holidays,
Memorial Days and Non-working Days in the Republic of Croatia
(Official Gazette, 33/96) provides that citizens of Croatia who
celebrate Christmas on January 7, citizens of the Islamic
religion on the days of Ramadan Bajram and Kurban Bajram, and
citizens of the Jewish religion on the days of Rosh Hashanah and
Yom Kippur are entitled to the day off from work. Article 5 of
the same Act provides that the employees are entitled to pay for
those days.
The cited legal provisions enable members of
different national minorities with different religious
affiliations to the day off from work not only on public holidays
in the Republic of Croatia but also on the days of special
religious holidays which they celebrate in keeping with their
tradition and cultural heritage.
From the jurisdiction of the Ministry of
Administration:
The rights of national minorities guaranteed
by the Constitution of the Republic of Croatia and the
Constitutional Law on the Rights and Freedoms of Ethnic and
National Communities or Minorities in Croatia can, under all
conditions, be protected by filing a constitutional suit before
the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Croatia.
The Republic of Croatia does not support a
state religion, since all religious communities are separate from
the state. Relations with individual religious communities are
regulated at the state level by agreements which regulate certain
matters by consent.
As regards the official language, it is
pointed out that only one official language is used in the
territory of the state. However, Article 12 of the Constitution
of the Republic of Croatia and Articles 7 and 8 of the
Constitutional Law on Human Rights and Freedoms and the Rights of
Ethnic and National Communities or Minorities in the Republic of
Croatia opens the possibility for a minority language or script
to be introduced as the official language in a given local
self-government unit. Article 7 of the Constitutional Law on
Human Rights and Freedoms and the Rights of Ethnic and National
Communities or Minorities provides that when members of a
minority represent the majority in a given local self-government
unit, the minority language and script will be the official
language and script in that local self-government unit, alongside
and in addition to the Croatian language and the Latin script.
When members of a minority do not represent the majority of the
population in the territory of a local self-government unit, the
unit will decide by its statute whether or not the minority
language will also be introduced in official use.
From the jurisdiction of the Office for
National Minorities of the Government of the Republic of
Croatia
For a detailed account see Article 8. -
Policy.
Persons belonging to national minorities are
ensured the preservation and development of their national,
ethnic, cultural, linguistic, religious and other identities
either individually or collectively with other citizens, through
the authorised institutions of the system, and the co-financing
of cultural programmes of various non-governmental agencies and
institutions, in order to ensure protection against
assimilation.
From the jurisdiction of the Ministry of
Culture:
In the course of this year, the Ministry of
Culture drafted the Bill on the Protection and Preservation of
Cultural Heritage, which should replace the existing Law on the
Protection of Cultural Monuments (Official Gazette - 7/67, 13/67,
47/86, 47/89, 19/91. and 49/92.). The passage of this law will
create more favourable conditions for the better protection and
preservation of the cultural values in their entirety, which also
includes the cultural heritage of the national minorities in the
Republic of Croatia. The Bill envisages the protection of both
material and non-material cultural resources – folk music
and popular creative art in the field of dance, narratives,
games, rituals, customs and other traditional folk values,
traditional arts and crafts, language, dialects and vernaculars
and orally-transmitted literature of all types. The legal
obligation to include these types of cultural assets into the
protection and preservation policy and measures is of critical
importance to the national minorities.
The Law on Film is expected to be passed soon,
which will also open up opportunities for creative work for all
national minorities and other citizens of the republic of
Croatia.
From the jurisdiction of the Office for
National Minorities of the Government of the Republic of
Croatia:
Funds are earmarked from the state budget
every year for the implementation of ethnic programmes organized
and co-ordinated by the Ministry of Education and Sport, the
National and University Library, the Ministry of Science and
Technology, the Ministry of Culture, and non-governmental
agencies and institutions of national minorities. Associations of
national minorities organize a variety of cultural activities
aimed at preserving and developing the minorities’ ethnic,
linguistic, religious and cultural identity.
From the jurisdiction of the Office for
National Minorities:
National minorities perform a variety of
cultural activities. The bulk of the cultural activities are
organized by cultural societies or - in national minorities which
do not have such societies – the minority’s
non-governmental agencies at the state level. Their activities
are co-financed by the state budget.
Members of the national minority of
Italians have as their umbrella association the Italian
Union, which brings together 40 communities of Italians and have
three cultural societies: "Fratellanza" based in Rijeka, "Marko
Garbin" based in Rovinj, and "Lino Marianni" based in Pula.
Following is an overview of their 1997 activities.
The cultural and performing society
"Fratellanza" based in Rijeka staged a number of concerts
performed by the "Fedeli Fiumani" Choir, in Italy (Cadore,
Pordenone, Redipuglia), concerts by the baroque music ensemble
"Collegium musicum Fluminennse", a performance by a string
instruments ensemble and a mandolin band, and a number of
festival evenings performed by its Minicantanti section. The
society also staged exhibitions of paintings, ceramics, and batik
technique, as well as "Romolo Venucci" exhibitions. The choir,
the ensembles and the sections also contributed towards the
ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the Union of
Italians of Pula.
The cultural and performing society "Marko
Garbin" based in Rovinj staged performances by the women’s
folklore group "Arie da contrada" and marked its own
50th anniversary by inviting a brass band to play in
Vizinada (Italy).
The cultural and performing society "Lino
Marianni" based in Pula staged a few commemorative concerts
performed by men’s, women’s and mixed choirs, as well
as concerts by a mandolin band and the chamber orchestra. Choirs
of the cultural societies participated in the Accademia di
Venezia concert staged in Pula, as well as the New Year’s
concert.
The Italian Drama is a professional theatrical
institution made up of of the members of the Italian national
community, which operates within National Theatre "Ivan Zajc" in
Rijeka, and consists of three ensembles: opera, ballet and drama.
The Italian Drama staged three premiers: "Shakespeare i
Elisabetta" by Miro Gavran; "Il berretto a sonagli" by Luigi
Pirandello and "Delikatessen" by Carpinteri-Faraguna, as well as
a number of repeat performances throughout Istria, Dalmatia,
Slovensko Primorje and Italy.
The Italian Union is an umbrella association
bringing together members of the Itaian national community, which
includes 40 communities of Italians, specifically those in:
Opatija, Labin, Buje, Cres, Novigrad, Krasica, Vodnjan,
Fažana, Rijeka, Galižana, Livade, Grožnjan,
Lovran, Mali Lošinj, Momjan, Baderna, Motovun, Vrsar, Porec,
Buzet, Pazin, Badljevina, Pula, Rovinj, Savudrija, Babica, Umag,
Labinci, Šišan, Šterna, Zrnj, Split, Tar, Bale,
Brtonigla, Nova Vas, Višnjan, Vižinada, Zadar and
Kutina. The Itaian Union organized: the traditional
children’s festival entitled "Voci Nostre" held in Porec,
the traditional painting and writing show entitled "Istria
nobilissima" held in Portorož, the 4th
traditional cultural event called "Ex tempore" and staged in
Grožnjan; the participation of the folklore group of the
union and the cultural and performing society "Fratellanza" and
the brass band Lino Mariani in Brtonigla, as well as concerts by
the “Fedeli Fiumani” choir held in Rome, Venice and
Vicenza, the Week of Italian Culture held in Piran, the Folklore
Festival held in Babica, the Brass Band Festival held in Vodnjan,
a guest performance by the symphony orchestra "G. Verdi" based in
Trieste, and the exhibition and the printing of a catalogue of
works by the visual artist Egidio Budicin.
The Community of Italians in Pula marked its
50th anniversary with a commemorative programme, and
the folklore group of the Community of Italians in Vodnjan
participated in the event entitled "Cultural Creation by National
Minorities in the Republic of Croatia" held in Zagreb.
The Italian Union of Rijeka was granted funds
from the 1998 state budget to finance the programme of cultural
amateurism and cultural events. Details of this are given in the
enclosure.
Members of the Czech national minority
are gathered around the umbrella association of the Union of
Czechs (Savez Ceha), which brings together 22 “Ceška
Beseda” cultural societies based in: Daruvar, Ceska Obec
Bjelovar, Daruvarski Brestovac, Dežanovac, Doljani,
Hercegovac, Gornji Daruvar, Ivanovo Selo, Jazvenik, Kaptol,
Koncanica, Ljudevit-selo, Veliki and Mali Zdenci, Meduric,
Prekopakra, Zagreb, Golubinjak, Karlovac-Šibovac, Donji
Sredani, Rijeka, Lipovac, and Slavonski Brod. Following is an
overview of their 1997 activities.
“Ceške Besede” organized the
performances by folklore groups to mark the landmark dates in the
Czech history, culture and customs. Ceške Besede, Daruvar,
staged an event to mark its 90th anniversary, and
Ceške Besede Koncanica commemorated its 65th
anniversary. Daruvar marked the 100th anniversary of
on-going theatrical activities. The drama group of
“Ceške Besede” Daruvar participated in the
Festival in the Czech Republic and the 37th Festival
of Amateur Theatres in Murter. The Association of Czechs in the
Republic of Croatia arranged the Show of Amateur Drama Groups,
held in Donji Sredani, the Show of Czech Children’s Songs
entitled “Koncanica 97”, the traditional event entitled
“_etvene svecanosti” (harvest festivities) held in
Koncanica, the 90th anniversary of the "Frante
Buriana" library, the 75th anniversary of the Czech
elementary school "J.A.Komenskog" and the 70th
anniversary of the children’s daycare center "Ferdo
Mravinec", accompanied by an exhibition with the same name and a
book promotion. The folklore group of “Ceške
Besede” Daruvar, called “Holubicka”, participated
in the event “Cultural Creation by the National Minorities
in the Republic of Croatia”, held in Zagreb.
Funds from the 1998 state budget of the
Republic of Croatia allocated for the Union of Czechs (Savez
Ceha) amounted to HRK568,400. For more details see the enclosed
Ruling of the Government of the Republic of Croatia. After the
balancing of the 1998 state budget, the union of Czechs was
granted an additional HRK15,000 for participation in the Zagreb
Fair as part of the exhibition entitled "The Czech Republic
– A Partner Country".
Members of the Slovak national minority
are organized in the Union of Slovaks (Savez Slovaka), and have
four cultural and performing societies:”Ivan Brnjik Slovak"
based in Jelisavac, "Braca Banas" based in Josipovcac, "Franjo
Strapac" based in Markovac Našicki and "Ludovit Štur"
based in Ilok, as well as te singing groups, drama groups,
language and dancing groups with their branches in: Našice,
Jurjevac, Zagreb, Rijeka, Soljani, Lipovljani, Osijek and
Meduric. The following is an overview of their 1997
activities.
The cultural and performing society "Ivan
Brnjik Slovak" based in Jelisavac, marked its 30th
anniversary by performing in Ludbregu.
The cultural and performing society "Braca
Banas" based in Josipovac
performed its folklore programme at the
"Ðakovacki vezovi" festival.
The “Franjo Strapac” society from
Markovac Našicki, staged a number of performances by its
dance group and choir to mark both the Day of Statehood and the
Easter Holiday, and participated in the folklore festivals in
Pleternica, Našice and “Grahovackom proljece”
(Grahovo spring), as well as in the event called “Cultural
Creation by the National Minorities in the Republic of Croatia",
held in Zagreb.
The Central Cultural Society of Slovaks
celebrated its 5th anniversary as well as the Days of
Slovak Culture.
The "Ljudevit Štur" society from Ilok
staged, in 1997, a few performances of the folklore and music
ensembles as well as two premiers by its theatre group. Its
overall activities in 1997 reflected that it has been
re-integrated in the Slovak national minority in the Republic of
Croatia and the Croatian cultural context.
The Union of Slovaks based in Našice was
granted HRK557,600 from the 1998 state budget of the Republic of
Croatia to finance the programme of cultural amateurism and
cultural events. For more details about it see the enclosed
Ruling of the Republic of Croatia.
Members of the national minority of
Hungarians are gathered around three organizations: The
Democratic Community of Hungarians in Croatia, the Union of
Hungarians of the Republic of Croatia and the Society of
Hungarian Scientists and Artists in the Republic of Croatia.
The Union of Hungarians of the Republic of
Croatia encompassed in 1997 nine amateur cultural and performing
societies: "Nepkor" based in Osijek, "Petofi Sandor" based in
Ivanovci, "Dozsa Gyorgy" based in Hrastin, "Petofi Sandor" based
in Novi Bezdan, "Moricz Zsigmond" based in Meca, "Ojankovac"
based in Stari Jankovci, "Jozsef Attila" based in Zmajevac,
"Jokai Mor" based in Suza and "Aranyhegy" based in Kotlina.
All the societies celebrated March 15, the
Hungarian national holiday, and took part in the traditional
"Csardasbalu" ball held in Osijek. The Hungarian society
"Nepkör" also participated in the Festival of Hungarian
Choirs and organized the exhibition entitled "How the Hungarians
Created Their State"
The central folklore ensemble of the Union of
Hungarians participated in the event called "Cultural Creation of
National Minorities in the Republic of Croatia".
The Union of Hungarians of the Republic of
Croatia based in Osijek staged a poetry reading meeting in the
Hungarian language and the "Meki Ferenc" Hungarian Language and
Culture Festival in Osijek.
The Democratic Union of Hungarians in Croatia
in 1997 promoted cultural activities through 5 cultural and
performing societies: "Petofi Sandor" based in Laslovo, "Petofi
Sandor" based in Lug, "Petofi Sandor" based in Vardarac, "Ady
Endre" based in Korod, "Pelmonstor" based in Beli Manastir and
the societies in Novi
Gradac, Koprivnica, Primorsko-Goranska County
(Rijeka), Split, Kopacevo, and Osijecko-Baranjska County.
The Democratic Community of Hungarians
celebrated the Hungarian national holiday on March 15 in Suza,
Zmajevac and Kopacevo, as well as the Day of Holy Istvan. They
promoted the lexicon "Dravaszog ABECE" by dr. Karoly Labadi and
the yearly magazine "Rovatkak". They put up an exhibition of
national handicrafts by Hungarians in the Republic of Croatia and
founded an amateur theatre and the dance house "Tanchaz" in
Osijek.
The Hungarian cultural society "Andy Endre"
based in Zagreb, the Democratic Community of Hungarians of the
Republic of Croatia and the Society of Hungarian Scientists and
Artists staged a ceremony to commemorate the Hungarian national
holiday, and "Andy Endre" cultural society, based in Zagreb,
celebrated its 65th anniversary.
The Society of Hungarian Scientists and
Artists organized a scientific seminar entitled "Century Old
Artistic Connections Between Croatia and Hungary and Common
Connections with Europe" and promoted the book entitled
"Demographic Development of Hungarians in the Territory of
Today’s Croatia"
HRK789,800 from the 1998 state budget of the
Republic of Croatia were earmarked for the associations of the
Hungarian national minorities to allow them to finance their
amateur cultural societies and cultural events. For more details
about this see the enclosed Ruling of the Government of the
Republic of Croatia.
Members of the national minorities of
Ruthenians and Ukrainians are organized around the Union of
Ruthenians and Ukrainians and have 8 cultural societies: "Osif
Kostelnik" based in Vukovar, "Jakim Hardi" based in Petrovaac,
"Jakim Golja" based in Mikluševci, the Society of Ruthenians
and Ukrainians based in Zagreb, "Karpati" based in Lipovljani,
the Cultural and Performing Society of Ruthenians and Ukrainians
from Osijek and Vinkovci, and "Ukraine" from Slavonski Brod.
Following is an overview of their activities in 1997.
All the cultural societies participated in the
central celebration entitled "Culture of the Ruthenians and
Ukrainians of the Republic of Croatia" held in Slavonski Brod.
The Cultural and Educational Society of Ruthenians and Ukrainians
of Zagreb marked, with a commemorative programme, its
25th anniversary.
The Cultural and Educational Society of
Ruthenians and Ukrainians of Zagreb participated in the
International Folklore Festival in Svidnik, Slovak Republic,
while its folklore ensemble performed some Ruthenian and
Ukrainian dances at the event "Cultural Creation of National
Minorities in the Republic of Croatia" held in Zagreb.
The cultural and educational society
“Ukrajina” of Slavonski Brod arranged a guest
performance by the National Ensemble “Dru_ba” of
Cernigiuv in the Ukraine.
The Cultural Society of Ruthenians and
Ukrainians of Vinkovci performed at the “Vinkovacke
jeseni” (Vinkovci autumn) cultural event and staged a guest
performance in the Slovak Republic.
The Union of Ruthenians and Ukrainians
arranged, in Zagreb, the central event on the culture of
Ruthenians and Ukrainians, a round table marking the
75th anniversary of the organized activities of
Ruthenians and Ukrainians in Croatia, and the exhibition of
Ruthenian and Ukrainian books and national costumes. In addition,
it participated in the preparations for the summer school of
Ruthenians and Ukrainians, which attracted 176 participants, and
arranged a few exhibitions of Ukrainian painters in Zagreb and
Ðurdevac.
HRK714,270 were allocated from the 1998 state
budget of the Republic of Croatia to finance the programme of
cultural amateurism and cultural events organized by the Union of
Ruthenians and Ukrainians based in Vukovar. For more details on
this see the enclosed Ruling of the Government of the Republic of
Croatia.
Members of the national minority of
Serbs pursued amateur cultural activities in 1997 within the
sub-committee of the Serb cultural society "Prosvjeta", as
follows.
The sub-committee of "Prosvjeta", from Zagreb,
organized 33 panel discussions in the fields of history, art,
language, education, religion, psychology and science, arranged
evening dances and celebrations of Serb holidays, and staged two
book promotions, 40 film evenings, 49 music evenings, promoted
activities of the “Miletic” theatre workshop and the
“Jefimija” club, as well as four exhibitions:
“Ikone” by Antun Wolenek, “Stranci u Becu”, a
xenographic view by the author Lisl Ponger, an exhibition on
Chopin and a group exhibition of the artists Ð.Petrovic, A.
Krupp, B. Karlavaris, M. Rupcic and B. Vlatkovic.
The sub-committee of "Prosvjeta" from Rijeka
organized 20 panel discussions and art exhibitions of the works
by D. Petrovic, V. Ristic, J. Jelic, and an exhibition of
photographs by L. Masnikovic. The sub-committee includes a
children’s choir also associated with the Serbian Orthodox
Church Congregation. The sub-committee succeeded in motivating
students, parents and teachers to have supplementary classes for
children of the Serb national minority. There are currently 24
students attending such classes taught by 10 teachers.
The sub-committee of "Prosvjeta" from Gomirje
has an active folklore, music, drama and poetry-reading section.
Members of the sub-committee participated in the preparations for
the traditional memorial "Marko Mamula" and organized a panel
discussion on supplementary classes for children of the Serb
national minority.
The sub-committee of Dre_nica has under its
umbrella the “Ðurdevdan” cultural and performing
society. The folklore, music, drama and poetry-reading sections
of the society staged a programme to celebrate the Serb holidays
of Vidovdan, Sveti Sava (St.Sava) and Ðurdevdan. Members of
the “Ðurdevdan” Society took part in the event
“Cultural Creation by National Minorities in the Republic of
Croatia” and staged performances in the Federal Republic of
Yugoslavia and the Republic of Srpska in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
The sub-committee of "Prosvjeta", from
Vrbovsko, organized panel discussions regarding the operations of
libraries, identity, integration, culture, education and property
of the Serb national minority.
The sub-committee of "Prosvjeta", from
Jasenak, comprises the cultural society "Vidovdan", which has a
folklore, drama and poetry-reading section. The society staged a
performance to mark the Serb holiday of Vidovdan and marked its
Foundation Day. In addition, it staged a guest performance in the
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
The sub-committee of "Prosvjeta", from Sisak,
organized 7 panel discussions and staged performances to
commemorate the holidays of Sveti Ilija (St. Ilija) and Velika
Gospojina.
Part of the sub-committee of "Prosvjeta" in
Western Slavonia is a 35-strong children’s drama workshop.
The sub-committee organized three panel discussions and three
literary evenings.
The sub-committee of "Prosvjeta", from
Moravice, organized three panel discussions, two lectures on
literature, and two discussions on supplementary classes for
children of the Serb national minority. Part of the sub-committee
is the cultural society “_eljeznicar” with a choir and
a brass band. The “_eljeznicar” Society staged
performances to mark the Day of Statehood, the Day of the Town of
Vrbovsko and Sveti Georgij (St. George)
The sub-committee in Daruvar organized 8 panel
discussions on ecumenism, tradition, customs, religion, and
supplementary classes for the Serb minority.
The sub-committee from Bujština organized
6 lectures. There is an active music and art section within the
sub-committee.
The sub-committee of Pula organized two panel
discussions and one lecture.
The sub-committee from Koprivnicko-Kri_evacka
County organized 10 panel discussions on culture, cross-religious
co-operation, tolerance, identity, poetry and schools of the Serb
national minority.
The sub-committee from Osijek includes a
music, poetry-reading, literary and drama group. In 1997 it
organized several panel discussions on the education of children
of the Serb national minority.
The sub-committee from Karlovac organized 10
panel discussions on topics pertaining to culture, ecumenism,
literature and school autonomy. The sub-committee comprises a
literary, drama and music section.
The “Branko Radicevic” cultural
society, from Darda, participated in the event “Cultural
Creation by National Minorities in the Republic of
Croatia”.
Preparations have been completed for the
establishment of new sub-committes in Kutina, Okucani,
Gradiška, Po_ega, Vojnic, Korenica, Donji Lapac and
Plaški.
A number of popular scientific lectures and
discussions on the subjects of relevance for the Serb national
minority in Croatia were held as part of the series of panel
discussions called "Dijalozi" (Dialogues).
Members of the "Prosvjeta" society
participated in the 42nd International Book Fair in
Belgrade, at which they promoted editions financed by the
Government of the Republic of Croatia.
HRK2,083,050 from the 1998 state budget of the
Republic of Croatia were allocated for the Serb cultural society
"Prosvjeta" to finance programmes of cultural amateurism and
cultural events.
Members of the national minority of Germans
and Austrians have 5 organizations: the Union of Germans and
Austrians, headquartered in Osijek, the Community of Germans and
Austrians in Croatia, the German Ethnic Community, the
Association of Austrians of Croatia and the National Union of
Germans in Croatia. These organizations pursued the following
activities in 1997.
The Union of Germans and Austrians of Croatia,
headquartered in Osijek, has the choir "Esseg", which performed
in Hungary, and the "Kranz" folklore ensemble. The union held the
literary evening "Die Kerze unter dem Kreuz", a round table, and
promoted the book “Croatia from Occupation to a Regional
Power” by Nenad Ivankovic.
The Community of Germans in Croatia organized
6 lectures on subjects related to the promotion of the cultural
heritage of Germans in Croatia, german language courses up to
level four, the exhibition "Stefan Zweig" and marked the Day of
the Community of Germans. The community has a mixed choir called
"Drei Rosen aus Vukovar" and the dance ensemble "Agram" which
performed at the event "Cultural Creation of National Minorities
in the Republic of Croatia" held in Zagreb.
The German Ethnic Community organized 5
lectures on literature, culture and history, staged exhibitions
of paintings by Ivan Roch and Adolf Waldinger, as well as a
scientific seminar entitled "Germans and Austrians in the
Croatian Cultural Circle", featuring 15 outstanding scientists
and public figures.
The National Union of Germans in Croatia
organized performances of the choir from Pakrac and a music group
from Slavonski Brod. They performed at the event "Cultural
Creation of National Minorities in the Republic of Croatia" and
took part in the International Art Colony in Kri_evci.. The union
organized panel discussions, concerts and several
exhibitions.
The Association of Austrians in Croatia
organized panel discussions, lectures and exhibitions on subjects
of interest to the Austrian national minority.
HRK217,000 from the 1998 state budget of the
Republic of Croatia were allocated for the associations of German
and Austrian national minorities in Croatia to finance the
programmes of cultural amateurism and cultural events. For more
details on this see the enclosed Ruling of the Republic of
Croatia.
Members of the Jewish national minority
have in Zagreb the "Miroslav Šalom Freiberger" cultural
society, the "Lira" choir and the "Milan i Ivo Steiner" gallery.
In addition, the Jewish Community also comprises the folklore
ensemble, "Or Šemeš", and the vocal and instrumental
ensemble "_ozeri", which participated in the event "Cultural
Creations by National Minorities in the Republic of Croatia" held
in Zagreb.
The Jewish Community in Zagreb and the
"Miroslav Šalom Freiberger" society jointly organized
concerts, celebrations of the Day of Independence of the State of
Israel, and marked the holidays Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashana and
Purim. It organized the exhibition of photographs called "Vrijeme
stvara slike" (Time Creates Pictures) by the authors Alise Douer
and Ursula Seeber.
HRK228,990 were allocated from the state
budget of the Republic of Croatia in 1998 to finance the
programmes of cultural amateurism and cultural events. For more
details on this see the enclosed Ruling of the Government of the
Republic of Croatia.
The Slovenes are organized in the Union
of Slovenian Societies that comprises three cultural societies :
"Bazovica" from Rijeka, "Slovenski dom" from Zagreb and "Triglav"
from Split.
The "Bazovica" society from Rijeka celebrated,
in 1997, its 50th anniversary, organized performances
of the mixed choir at the event "Primorska poje" held in
Slovenia, "Koncerte slovenskih pevskih zborov" (concerts by
Slovenian choirs) and "88. Tabor slovenskih pevskih zborov" held
in Šentvid, as well as performances of the choir and the
folklore section at the 2nd Folklore Festival in
Rijeka, a celebration of the Cultural Holiday, an exhibition of
paintings by Jan Gal Planinac and an exhibition of caricatures by
Bojan Gilica.
The cultural society "Slovenski dom"
(Slovenian home), from Zagreb, organized several performances of
the mixed and women’s choirs and the choir of the spiritual
section of "A.M.Slomšek", 28 lectures, exhibitions,
concerts, celebration of the cultural holiday "Prešernov
dan", and took part in the event "Cultural Creation of National
Minorities in the Republic of Croatia."
The "Triglav" society from Split staged
performances of the mixed choir and folklore section to mark the
cultural holiday “Prešernov dan” and organized an
exhibition of national handicraft items and “Idrijske
cipke” (lace of Idria).
HRK332,800 were earmarked from the 1998 state
budget of the Republic of Croatia for the Union of Slovenian
Societies to finance the programmes of cultural amateurism and
cultural events. For more details on this see the enclosed Ruling
of the Republic of Croatia.
The Community of Albanians in the
Republic of Croatia has in Zagreb its cultural society
"Skhendija". In 1997, the Community organized the following
events: the promotion of the book "Albanci Klementinci u
Hrtkovcima i Nikovcima" by Frok Zefiq and "Povijest
Arbanasa” by Konstantin Balšic, the celebration of the
Day of the Albanian Flag in Rovinj and Rijeka. The
“Skhenderija” society participated in the event
“Cultural Creations by National Minorities in the Republic
of Croatia”.
HRK253.230 were allocated from the state
budget of the Republic of Croatia in 1998 for the Union of the
Communities of Albanians in Croatia. For more details see the
enclosed Ruling of the Government of the Republic of Croatia.
The "Preporod" cultural society of Bosniacs in
Croatia has branches in Rijeka and Split. In 1997, they organized
several cultural evenings, traditional holiday events and the
celcebration of the anniversary of the society. It arranged art
exhibitions and the promotion of the book “Obicaji
Bošnjaka” (Bosniacs’ customs) by Edib Muftic, the
cultural event “Bošnjacke rijeci” (Bosniacs’
words), part of which was the celebration of the 80th
birthday of Mak Dizdar. The "Preporod" society has the
girl’s choir "Bulbul" which participates in all important
celebrations and which joined forces with the "Arabeske" choir to
take part in the event "Cultural Creations by National Minorities
in the Republic of Croatia".
HRK203,650 were earmarked from the 1998 state
budget of the Republic of Croatia for the "Preporod" cultural
society of Bosniacs in Croatia and the Bosnian National Community
of Croatia. For more details on this see the enclosed Ruling of
the Government of the Republic of Croatia.
Two associations of Romanies received
financial support in 1997: the Union of Romany Societies of
Croatia and the Community of Romanies of Croatia. It is worth
noting at this point that a few associations of Romanies were set
up towards the end of 1998, such as "Romi za Rome"(Romanies for
Romanies), "Romsko srce" (Romany heart), which are for the time
being not financed by the state budget."
The Union of Romany Societies of Croatia
staged, in Kri_evci, the 2nd Conference on Education
and Schooling of Romany Children, marked April 8, the World Day
of Romanies, and participated in the event "Cultural Creation of
National Minorities in the Republic of Croatia".
The Community of Romanies of Croatia marked
April 8, the World Day of Romanies.
HRK239,360 from the state budget of the
Republic of Croatia were earmarked for the activities of the
associations of Romanies in Croatia. For more details see the
enclosed Ruling of the Government of the Republic of Croatia.
The National Community of Montenegrins of
Croatia and the cultural society "Montenegro-Montenegrina”
staged the following events in 1997: the celebration of the
traditional holiday “Petrovdan”, the exhibition of
paintings by I.Geršic, J.Antolic, D.Riss, N.Pjevac, V.Vukal
Kalabek, Lj. Pocek Stanišic, the exhibition of paintings
“Njegoš i Zagreb”, by a group of authors, and a
number of lectures including one given by Dr. Mate Meštrovic
on how the mausoleum on the mountain Lovcen was built (“Kako
je nastao mauzolej na Lovcenu”).
HRK242,430 were allocated from the state
budget of the Republic of Croatia in 1998 to finance the
activities of the National Community of Montenegrins based in
Zagreb. For more details see the enclosed Ruling of the
Government of Croatia.
The Community of Macedonians has five cultural
societies: “Koco Racin” based in Pula,
“Ilinden” based in Rijeka, “Braca
Miladinovci” based in Osijek, “Makedonija” based
in Split and “Krste Misirkov” based in Zagreb. In 1997,
the Community of Macedonians organized the celebration of the
Macedonian Evening and marked the Day of Racin and Ilinden,
organized a week of contemporary Macedonian film, poetry
evenings, an exhibition of paintings by twelve Macedonian
authors, the lecture "Macedonian People and the Macedonian
Orthodox Church" and others. The Macedonian cultural societies
“Krste Misirkov” from Zagreb and “Braca
Miladinovci”, from Osijek, took part in the event
“Cultural Creations by National Minorities in the Republic
of Croatia.
HRK325,400 were allocated from the state
budget of the Republic of Croatia in 1998 to fund the activities
of the Community of Macedonians in the Republic of Croatia. For
more details see the enclosed Ruling of the Government of the
Republic of Croatia.
In order to mark the 50th
anniversary of the passage of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights and the 7th anniversary of the international
recognition of the Republic of Croatia, the Office for National
Minorities, on January 24, 1998 staged at the "Vatroslav
Lisinski" concert hall a music and drama event entitled "Cultural
Creations by National Minorities in Croatia". The programme was
designed by a special council whose members were nominated by the
unions of national minorities. Folklore and music of the national
minorities were performed as part of the event, which was
accompanied by a publishing exhibition and the promotion of
catalogues with data on information and publishing activities of
the national minorities from 1991 through 1997. In the course of
the year, each national minority marked these anniversaries with
a presentation of its own cultural creation.
The Ministry of Culture looks after the
cultural heritage of national minorities as part of the overall
protection of the cultural heritage of the Republic of
Croatia.
The National Community of Montenegrins of
Croatia and the cultural society "Montenegro-Montenegrina" staged
the following events in 1997: the celebration of the traditional
holiday "Petrovdan", the exhibition of paintings by I.
Geršic, J. Antolic, D. Riss, N. Pjevac, V. Vukal Kalabek,
Lj. Pocek Stanišic, the exhibition of paintings "Njegoš
i Zagreb", by a group of authors, and a number of lectures
including one given by Dr. Mate Meštrovic on how the
mausoleum on the mountain Lovcen was built (Kako je nastao
mauzolej na Lovcenu").
HRK242,430 were allocated from the state
budget of the Republic of Croatia in 1998 to finance the
activities of the National Community of Montenegrins based in
Zagreb. For more details see the enclosed Ruling of the
Government of Croatia.
The Community of Macedonians has five cultural
societies: "Koco Racin" based in Pula, "Ilinden" based in Rijeka,
"Braca Miladinovci" based in Osijek, "Makedonija" based in Split
and "Krste Misirkov" based in Zagreb. In 1997, the Community of
Macedonians organised the celebration of the Macedonian Evening
and marked the Day of Racin and Ilinden, organised a week of
contemporary Macedonian film, poetry evenings, an exhibition of
paintings by twelve Macedonian authors, the lecture "Macedonian
People and the Macedonian Orthodox Church" and others. The
Macedonian cultural societies "Krste Misirkov" from Zagreb and
"Braca Miladinovci" from Osijek, took part in the event "Cultural
Creations by National Minorities in the Republic of Croatia".
HRK325,400 were allocated from the state
budget of the Republic of Croatia in 1998 to fund the activities
of the Community of Macedonians in the Republic of Croatia. For
more details see the enclosed Ruling of the Government of the
Republic of Croatia.
In order to mark the 50th
anniversary of the passage of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights and the 7th anniversary of the international
recognition of the Republic of Croatia, the Office for National
Minorities, on January 24, 1998 staged at the "Vatroslav
Lisinski" concert hall a music and drama event entitled "Cultural
Creations by National Minorities in Croatia". The programme was
designed by a special council whose members were nominated by the
unions of national minorities. Folklore and music of the national
minorities wre performed as part of the event, which was
accompanied by a publishing exhibition and the promotion of
catalogues with data on information and publishing activities of
the national minorities from 1991 through 1997. In the course of
the year, each national minority marked these annivesaries with a
presentation of its own cultural creation.
The Ministry of Culture looks after the
cultural heritage of national minorities as part of the the
cultural heritage of the Republic of Croatia.
Museums and ethnographic collections as
institutions and places where cultural heritage is gathered,
preserved and put on display, represent institutions of critical
importance for the preservation of the identity of members of
national minorities. Museums in the Republic of Croatia have rich
holdings – insufficiently researched at this point - of
ethnographic artifacts reflecting the culture of national
minorities. Important collections are held by the unions of
national minority members themselves, or are established as
independent entities.
In the areas which were occupied during the
war, the cultural heritage is damaged and dilapidated, which
calls for funds to be invested in its repair. This refers to:
Ethnographic Collection in Ivanovo selo, which the Union of
Czechs in September 1995 transferred into the permanent ownership
of the City Museum of Bjelovar; the Ethnographic Collection of
the Hungarian National Minority in Hrastin, and the Ethnographic
Collection of Ruthenians and Ukrainians in Petrovci, which
belongs to the Museum of the City of Vukovar.
Members of the national minority of Serbs have
in Gorski Kotar a centuries-old sacral facility, Manastir Gomirje
(Gomirje monastery), whose reconstruction and revitalization is
under the expert supervision of the Regional Institute for the
Protection of Cultural Monuments based in Karlovac. In order to
ensure a comprehensive protection of the cultural heritage of
Serbs, in 1997 the Government of the Republic of Croatia
allocated HRK200,000 for the Ministry of Culture and the Union of
Serbian Societies to finance the reconstruction of the Gomirje
monastery. In 1998, the Government of the republic of Croatia
earmarked an additional HRK110,000 for the rebuilding of the
monastery’s library and archives. For more details, see the
enclosed Ruling of the Government of the Republic of Croatia.
Preparations were launched in 1997 to set up a
museum and ethnographic collection of the Association of
Austrians.
After balancing the 1998 state budget, the
Republic of Croatia earmarked HRK1,200,000 for the programme of
rebuilding cultural institutions of the national minorities in
the war-affected areas, specifically. The Czechs were granted
HRK163,000, Ruthenians and Ukrainians were granted HRK376,000 and
Hungarians received HRK661,000. For more details on this, see the
enclosed Ruling of the Republic of Croatia.
The Jewish Community holds a large number of
works of art and crafts at its building in Zagreb, mostly
religious artifacts dating from the 19th and early
20th centuries. A permanent gallery of paintings and
sculptures on Jewish themes is currently being established.
In the course of 1997, the Government of
Croatia allocated US$292,331 to finance the litigation before a
New York City court in matters of the restitution of the art
collection of the Jewish Community in Dubrovnik.
The litigation ended in 1998 and the art
collection was returned to the Jewish Community of Dubrovnik.
The proposed projects competing for the state
funding were assessed by the reviewers at the Ministry of Science
and Technology against the requirements set for all projects
within the National Science and Technology Project.
National Minority Libraries
The model of central libraries for national
minorities has been in place in the Republic of Croatia since
1990. It allows members of national minorities in Croatia access
to book collections, information, video recordings, music
recordings and all other sources, in the language of the national
minority, within the system of the Croatian public libraries.
The model was launched with books in the
Hungarian language in Beli Manastir, when libraries in Hungary
that needed books in the Croatian language for the Croatian
minority in the country started exchanging books with Croatian
libraries looking for books in the Hungarian language to meet the
needs of the Hungarians in Croatia. The “Petar
Preradovic” library in Bjelovar followed suit after
recognizing the need for setting up library services for the
Czech minority in Croatia. Namely, “Ceška beseda”
cultural societies in Daruvar and Zagreb had large book
collections, but they recognized the need to improve their
organization and make them more readily accessible to the
clients, as well as to update the holding with more recent
acquisitions from the parent country.
In compliance with the Ruling of the Republic
of Croatia on the Exercise and Funding of the Rights of National
Minorities in the Republic of Croatia, the national and
University Library has so far established the following libraries
as part of the central-library model:
Within the City Library of Pula, there is the
Central Library for Italians, which currently holds 5,500 books.
The library arranges meetings with authors, issues a catalogue of
new acquisitions, and co-operates with libraries and cultural
institutions of the Republic of Italy. The Italian communities
hold a significant number of books. The Historical research
center in Rovinj has its own library with a holding of 87,000
books. In 1995, the Center’s library became a deposit
library of the Council of Europe.
The Czech minority has the Czech Central
Library which operates within the National Library “Petar
Preradovic” in Bjelovar, and co-operates with the Czech
libraries in the Daruvar-De_anovac-Zagreb library network. The
library holds 4,200 books. In addition, the library runs a steady
column in the local papers and on Radio Bjelovar, as an
additional channel for bringing relevant information to its
members. The Central Library stages literary evenings and in 1997
actively participated in the event Month of the Croatian Book, as
well as in the spring school for school librarians held in
Crikvenica. Members of this minority also have at their disposal
about 6,500 books held by the National Library in Daruvar, and
7,000 books held by "Ceška beseda” cultural society in
Zagreb.
Members of the Hungarian national minority
have at their disposal the Central Hungarian Library, which was
relocated from Baranja to the City and University Library in
Osijek. The Library is currently being moved back to Beli
Manastir. It holds 27,000 registered titles. Information is
currently being gathered on the book stocks in the war-affected
areas inhabited before the war by Hungarians.
The Union of Hungarians of the Republic of
Croatia donated books to elementary schools in which Hungarian is
taught or in which classes are taught in both languages.
The Hungarian Cultural Society "Nepkor" has a
library which holds 2,235 books.
The Hungarian Cultural Society "Ady Endre" in
Zagreb has a library with about 2,500 books in the Hungarian
language. The Hungarian Department of the Zagreb Faculty of Arts
and Letters believes the books are of exceptional value. The
library is currently being computerized.
The democratic Community of Hungarians of
Croatia based in Osijek has approximately 2,000 books – a
donation by the Republic of Hungary, which have not been
catalogued yet. In Rijeka, the Community has a library with 1,000
books, also a donation of the Republic of Hungary.
Members of the national minority of Ruthenians
and Ukrainians have the Central Library temporarily operating,
until its return to Vukovar, within the “Ante
Starcevic” City Library in Zagreb. When the library started,
it had about 750 books. In 1997, it organized several literary
evenings.
Slovenes have their Central Library, with
2,033 books on stock, operating within the “Ivan Goran
Kovacic” City Library in Karlovac. Its publishes a catalogue
of new acquisitions and marks the Day of the Slovenian Book. It
co-operates with the libraries in Novo mesto and Ljubljana. The
Cultural and Ediucational Society "Slovenski dom" based in zagreb
has a library with about 5,500 books on stock, i.e., 4,200
titles. The bulk of the holding is represented by
Slovenian-language books, while the rest is accounted for by
books in the Croatian, German, French and other languages.
The Central Library for Members of Serb
National Minority operates within the Serb Cultural Society
"Prosvjeta", in co-operation with the National and University
Library. The library has 12,600 books. A pilot project was
launched in 1997 to cover villages with a majority Serb
population, such as Gomirje, Moravice, Jasenak and Drežnica.
In co-operation with the department of Serbian and Montenegrin
Literature of the faculty of Arts and Letters, the library staged
an exhibition and five lectures, as well as two book
promotions.
In 1997, the Government of the Republic of
Croatia allocated an additional HRK100,000 to the National and
University Library and the Union of Serbian Societies to fund the
development of a library service network for members of the Serb
national minority.
The Albanian Central Library operates as part
of the “Bogdan Ogrizovic” Library in Zagreb and has 680
catalogued books. In 1997, the library staged, in co-operation
with the National and University Library, an exhibition of books
on Mother Theresa.
Slovak libraries are set up as part of the
elementary schools that teach the Slovak language, including:
“Ivan Brnjik Slovak” Elementary School in Jelisavac,
“Dora Pejacevic” Elementary School in Našice,
“Jospi Kozarac” Elementary School in Josipovac. Their
holdings are being updated with donations from the Slovak
republic and acquisitions through the Slovak Slovak Central
Cultural society (“Matica Slovacka”) in Croatia. The
Society holds at its headquarters a substantial stock of books.
The Central Library of Slovaks in the republic of Croatia is
currently being established as part of the National Library in
Našice.
Members of the national minority of Germans
and Austrians have at their disposal the Austrian Library set up
as part of the City and University Library in Osijek. The library
has 5,648 books and 142 registered members. It has reported the
highest demand for literary books and specialized books written
by Austrian authors. The library held two exhibitions last year.
The German National Community in Osijek holds about 950 books,
but does not have the space needed to set up a library. The
Association of Austrians in Croatia, based in Zagreb, is in the
process of establishing a library with 350 books.
The jewish minority has a library with about
18,000 books within the jewish Community of Zagreb. It also has
old and contemporary periodicals and an archive with about 5,000
documents. The library has started collecting video and audio
tapes. The library of the Jewish community in Zagreb is the only
library of the "judaicea" in Croatia. It receives more than 10
title of current Jewish periodicals from Israel and the world.
The library contains a special collection of the hebraicae. The
entire holding is currently being reviewed and preparations are
under way for the introduction of Crolists. Part of the library
is "Lavoslav Šik" reference library, which holds the oldest
book, entitled "Šuhan Aruh" (Set Table) by Jozef Car,
printed between 1564 and 1567.
The Bosnian Cultural Society "Preporod" has a
library with more than 3,000 books and continues to update its
holding on an annual basis. This year’s acquisitions include
about 150 new and used books and Bosnian magazines. The library
has a reading room with Croatian and Bosnian daily and weekly
newspapers.
The Macedonian minority in the Republic of
Croatia has received a number of books from the Macedonian
Ministry of Culture, but has not yet set up a library for the
members of the Macedonian national minority.
The National and University Library has
supplied the elementary school in Kozari Bok, Zagreb, attended by
children of the ethnic community of Romanies, with a large
collection of books and reading materials.
These libraries have varying holdings, but
they are all being updated with donations from governments,
libraries, associations and individuals from both their parent
countries and Croatia, as well as with the financial support from
the Office of Ethnic and National Communities or Minorities
granted via the National and University Library.
The activities and programmes of the central
libraries are varied and cater for all age groups. They include:
publishing catalogues on recent acquisitions, off-site lending
and exhibitions, activities meant for young children, reading in
the mother tongue, marking traditional events and customs of all
parent nations, arranging encounters with writers and other
artists, etc.
Members of the minorities that do not yet have
their own central library use the libraries operating within
their associations.
All the central libraries are run by staff who
hold a university degree and have taken the state licencing exam
in the library sciences. Under the new Act on Libraries of
September 19, 1997, the newly-recruited staff in charge of the
central libraries of Slovaks and Slovenes will acquire the title
of graduate librarian.
A central library is set up for members of
those national minorities who numbered at least 5,000 according
to the 1991 population census. Financial and professional aid is
provided from the state budget of the Republic of Croatia and
comes through the National and University Library, which supplies
with books members of the Jewish community (judaicae library),
Austrians and Germans (the Austrian reading room in Osijek).
Other minorities receive aid through their associations, such as
“Ceške besede” and their libraries in Zagreb and
Daruvar, “Ady Endre” library in Zagreb, “Slovacki
dom” (the Slovak Home) in Ilok, and the library in Petrovci.
The purchase of books from the school reading lists has been
arranged the Community of Romanies in the Republic of
Croatia.
As regards the libraries in Baranja and
Eastern Slavonia, which are inhabited by minorities, programmes
have been designed and efforts are being made to improve their
technical equipment.
The programme designed to meet the need of the
national minorities in the Republic of Croatia for books is based
on the adopted model of building an entire network of libraries
with holdings in the languages of the national minorities,
including the central library of the national minority, which is
responsible for developing a network of libraries and
coordinating all the activities. This programme follows
globally-adopted principles and facilitates the preservation and
promotion of the overall national identity of minority
communities. The Republic of Croatia has regulated the status of
minorities by its constitutional and other acts. The library
network is one of the channels through which the minorities
exercise their rights.
The programmes and the activities conducted by
the central libraries of the national minorities can be varied
and targeted at all age groups. Most are conducted in the native
language of the minority, and the activities include:
- reading in the mother tongue
- marking important dates
- nurturing tradition and customs of the
parent nation
- encounters with writers and artists;
exhibitions staged individually or in co-operation with the
association.
Following the "Principles of Librarianship" by
Donald J. Urquhart, none of these minority libraries was
established as a separate unit; rather, the libraries depend on
mutual support, in observance of the principle "a library is not
an island".
The importance of these libraries in the life
of minorities is huge. The key role and function of language as
one of the key features of national self-consciousness in the
preservation and the expression of cultural and civilizational
values of a minority, has been fully achieved through the
programmes, roles and responsibilities of the national minority
libraries. The additional task of these libraries is to introduce
the Croatian public to the national minorities, their historical
roots, cultural heritage and creative work produced over the
centuries. The best way to promote a nation is through its
culture. Through the activities pursued by the national minority
libraries the Croatian public gains valuable insights about other
nations.
Every minority is unique and special. It is
particularly because of the complexity that every minority brings
into its cultural heritage that no universal model can be applied
to the central libraries of the minorities. Their value lies
precisely in their diversity, because culture leaves no room for
uniformity. By upgrading the services and activities provided by
the libraries of national minorities, the boundaries of local
culture are transcended in a way that makes it a part of the
multicultural world.
Paragraph 2.
The Republic of Croatia, in compliance with
its Constitution, guarantees the freedom of scientific, cultural
and art work. Under the Constitutional Act on the Rights and
Freedoms of Ethnic and National Communities or Minorities,
members of all national minorities are ensured the right to
protection against any activity that might pose a threat to their
survival.
There are no regulations indicating or
elaborating a universal integration policy. For more details on
legal provisions see Article 5. Paragraph 1.
There is no infrastructure designed to pursue
an integration policy.
The Republic of Croatia does not pursue an
integration policy. The Republic of Croatia protects the
diversity of national minorities, and the state supports the
minorities’ cultural activities.
All information included under paragraph
1.
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