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Welcome to the British-Croatian Society! Dobro dosli u Britansko-hrvatsko drustvo!

Current and Forthcoming Events:

You are warmly invited to a special evening focused on a talk by Christopher Cviić:

“Croatia as a regional and European player”

to be followed by discussion and buffet supper.

Wednesday 24 June, The Rose, 35 Albert Embankment SE1 7TL 020 7735 3723

Private room upstairs overlooking the Thames + cash bar

Bar open 6.30, talk at 7.00.

£10 payable on the door.

There are no tickets for this event, but please inform Zeljka Tomljenovic zeljkat@yahoo.com 078 335 44089 or David Davison david@archaeopress.com if you intend to come (for catering planning).

Christopher Cviić, O.B.E. : Conferred the Order of the British Empire by the Queen for his work in promoting democracy in Central Europe, Christopher Cviić worked for many years as a leader-writer and correspondent in Central and Eastern East Europe for The Economist, then as an Associate Fellow of the Royal Institute of International Affairs, and until recently as Senior Political Counselor at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in London. He has recently published, together with an EBRD colleague, a book dealing with political and economic transition in South-Eastern Europe (Zagreb: Novi liber, 2008). An English edition is to be published in London this year. An earlier work of his, entitled Remaking the Balkans ,appeared in London in 1991 (2nd edition 1995). He contributes regularly to daily newspapers and magazines in his native Croatia.

Education: University of Zagreb, London School of Economics, Oxford ( St. Anthony's College)

Previous Events:

Mission Statement:

“The British-Croatian Society (BCS) is an apolitical, independent registered charity whose objectives are to foster the development of good and friendly relations between the peoples of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Croatia and in particular to promote a better understanding and appreciation of Croatia in Britain.”

The formal powers, which are available to the Society to enable it to achieve these objectives, are set out in the Memorandum of Association. The principles ones being as follows:

• Advance cultural exchanges and activities between and within the two countries;

• Arrange meetings, courses, lectures, conferences, exhibitions, concerts and other artistic or educational activities in both countries;

The Trustees of the Society are responsible for exercising these powers in order to achieve the Society’s objects.

The Patrons assist in achieving these objects by supporting the Society through goodwill, appearing at Society functions and generally promoting the Society whenever this is appropriate and convenient.

Origins:

A British-Croatian Society had been formed in 1974 and was still active up to the 1980s. However, it was Dr. Ante Cicin-Sain, a former Croatian Ambassador to the United Kingdom who revived the organization into its present form in January 1996 on the occasion of the Embassy’s acquisition of new premises in Conway Street.

In an invitation to attend a reception to celebrate the opening of the new Embassy on Saturday 27 January 1996, he wrote “Our intention is that the Embassy should not only serve for the normal official functions, but it will also provide space for a Croatian Cultural Centre and the British-Croatian Association, so that Britons and Croatians alike can meet there to enjoy events and entertainments of mutual interest.” The current Croatian Ambassador has faithfully maintained that promise for which the Society is very grateful.

On 20 April 1996, the British-Croatian Society was formally established at a meeting at the Croatian Cultural Centre. Flora Turner chaired this historic meeting. The late Dr Kathy Wilkes was nominated as interim Chairman a “temporary” position she held until her untimely and sad death on 21 August 2003 aged 57.

A further meeting held on 25 October 1996 formalized many of the Society’s current rules. Charitable status was conferred on 5 June 2001.

The British-Croatian Society continues to flourish with increased membership, regular events, an annual dinner, and a newly launched website.

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Zagreb, Croatia

 

The British Croatian Society

2 Monro Way London E5 8NZ

Registered Charity No. 1086139

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