The Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in South Africa organized a ceremonial reception on the occasion of the Statehood Day of the Republic of Croatia on June 25, 2018.
The ceremony at The Blue Crane restaurant, located in the Austin Roberts bird reserve, was attended by approximately 160 guests. Among the guests there were Ambassadors / High Commissioners and members of the South African Diplomatic Corps, representatives of the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), South African businessmen and numerous members of the Croatian community and Croatian Catholic Mission of St. Jerome.
Following the hymns of the Republic of Croatia and the Republic of South Africa, the Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia, H.E. Dr. Nenad Prelog gave a speech.
In his address, Dr. Prelog reminded us of the traditionally good and friendly relations between the Republic of Croatia and South Africa, with special emphasis on the possibilities of strengthening economic bilateral cooperation, primarily in the field of science, shipbuilding and tourism. Namely, the number of South African tourists visiting Croatia every year exponentially increases. Speaking to the audience, Dr. Prelog reminded of the fact that we will soon celebrate five years since the Republic of Croatia became a member of the European Union, on the advantages and obligations that our membership brought along, but also of our tradition of invention, that extends over several centuries. After the famous inventions of Faust Vrancic, Ruder Boškovic, Ivan Lupis and Slavoljub Penkala, the influence of Croats in different fields continues, also in South Africa. In this regard, Mr. Ivo Lazic, a Croat born in South Africa, one of the best South African inventors in the field of telecommunications, addressed the audience as well.
Hymns and numerous Croatian songs during the event were performed by our fellow Croats, Mrs. Uršula Jadrijevic and her son, Mr. Bernard Jadrijevic.
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