DAY 8
Postcards from Croatia - Zagreb
On Day 8 of the Domovina Programme, we made our way to Zagreb. We had a back to back schedule ahead of us, visiting some of Croatia’s most important institutions and learning more about the connection between the homeland and Croatian communities around the world.
It all feels like a bit of a blur now, almost as if three days had been merged into one. We started the morning at our hotel in the city, making the most of the unlimited coffee and food at the buffet breakfast. It was always interesting seeing who was up first and who slowly made their way down throughout the morning. Everyone was dressed up and looking well put together, as though we'd gone from our usual beach-casual attire to adulthood and corporate 9–5 overnight.
Me, Anna, Croatiana & Filip
We started the day walking to the Government of the Republic of Croatia at Banski dvori, followed by the Croatian Parliament, Hrvatski sabor, before ending at the Central State Office for Croats Abroad, where we had lunch in the office. I almost felt like we were all kids pretending to be adults for the day. Everything felt much more formal and “serious” compared to the days we'd become used to.
During one of our visits, we were welcomed by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, who spoke about the importance of maintaining strong connections between Croatia and Croatian communities around the world, while preserving Croatian identity, language and culture for future generations.
Hearing him speak about the importance of the diaspora made me think about my own connection to Croatia. We had all come from different parts of the world because of our connection to this country, and now we were sitting inside the institutions that represented it. There was something pretty special about being there and hearing how much importance is placed on keeping those connections alive.
The day gave us a completely different perspective on Croatia and the role young people in the diaspora can have in its future. It made me think about my own reasons for being there, and how much this opportunity had already come to mean to me.
Miguel, Ella, Fran & Ella
By the evening, we headed straight to a bar near where the concert was being held and sat together over some gemišt before making our way inside for the show.
The concert was a celebration of Croatian music afrom different regions of the country. Sitting there listening, I found myself thinking back to the Domovina application process and all the Croatian music I listened to while putting it together. I thought about my grandparents too, and all the music that filled my childhood. I remember getting teary eyed because I felt so much joy and gratitude sitting there, listening to Croatian music in Croatia and taking in everything that had brought me to that moment. It brought back so many memories and reminded me just how much this journey has meant to me.
Jules, Emily, Lucy & Estefania
By the time the concert finished, a storm was rolling in, so we quickly made our way back to the hotel. We were all exhausted and starving. Some of us stayed up in the lobby waiting for our pizzas to be delivered, only for five to show up.
We were probably being a little dramatic considering how well we'd been treated the whole trip, but after such a long day, we'd all somehow reverted to being a bunch of hangry kids.
Whenever we took a group photo, our team leaders would always say, “Say Domovina,” which quickly became an inside joke whenever things got tough, someone was tired or something wasn't going to plan. I remember sitting in the lobby that night waiting for our pizzas, only for five to show up. I turned to Michael, who I think started the joke in the first place, and he said, “Say Domovina.” Even exhausted and starving, it still made me laugh.
So we made a late-night mission to the nearest Macca's with Filip. Around midnight, we sat outside celebrating Emily's birthday, entertaining ourselves and making jokes as usual. Despite being completely exhausted, we were still laughing and carrying on.
Sitting at the concert earlier that night, I remember getting teary eyed because I felt so much joy and gratitude. Thinking about my grandparents, the music that filled my childhood and the Domovina application that had brought me there, it all felt pretty surreal. I felt incredibly proud to be Croatian and so grateful for the opportunity to experience it all.