30 Year Celebration
On Sunday July 6, approximately 250 people celebrated at the Croatian Canadian Cultural Centre: the occasion was the 30 year anniversary of the opening of the Centre. Present among the guests were Mayor Naheed Nenshi, his office manager, Ms. Franca Gualteri; The Hon. Jason Kenney, and the Croatian Ambassador Veseljko Grubisic. The three dignitaries all gave very spirited messages of congratulations to the Croatian community that had developed and sustained the Centre for 30 years, making it very much a part of the Calgary community.
Dr. Mary Valentich spoke to the meaning of the Centre as a focal point for people of Croatian background and also, a free venue for many non-Croatian groups. She noted the very diverse range of activities people could enjoy in the Centre, especially identifying its importance as a focal point for the preservation of Croatian culture. The latter was very evident in the dazzling display of Croatian artifacts in the Red Room where an open house occurred after the formal program.
The various dance and singing groups of the Croatian Heritage Society performed with enthusiasm, skill and talent, delighting the guests, who appreciated that the future of the Centre and its mission depends very much on its youth.
As always, the food prepared by Ms. Daniella Toma and her staff was outstanding and generous. Ms. Maria Barkovic, with grace and discipline, kept the program flowing as host, and Mr. Davor Krivacic, Jr. was his usual busy self, keeping various systems functional. He and Mr.Luka Niksic also provided the audience with a pictorial history of the Centre that will remain as a record of activities over the past years.
Mr.Rade Serdarevic, President and Mr. Tony Kranjcevic, Vice President, representing the Board and the many volunteers who contributed greatly to the day provided inspiration to all about the nature of the Centre and what was important to all of us who want to preserve our heritage and contribute not only to the daily lives of Croatians within Calgary, but all Calgarians who seek to live in harmony and to enjoy what a peaceful, multicultural community offers all its citizens.
On Sunday July 6, approximately 250 people celebrated at the Croatian Canadian Cultural Centre: the occasion was the 30 year anniversary of the opening of the Centre. Present among the guests were Mayor Naheed Nenshi, his office manager, Ms. Franca Gualteri; The Hon. Jason Kenney, and the Croatian Ambassador Veseljko Grubisic. The three dignitaries all gave very spirited messages of congratulations to the Croatian community that had developed and sustained the Centre for 30 years, making it very much a part of the Calgary community.
Dr. Mary Valentich spoke to the meaning of the Centre as a focal point for people of Croatian background and also, a free venue for many non-Croatian groups. She noted the very diverse range of activities people could enjoy in the Centre, especially identifying its importance as a focal point for the preservation of Croatian culture. The latter was very evident in the dazzling display of Croatian artifacts in the Red Room where an open house occurred after the formal program.
The various dance and singing groups of the Croatian Heritage Society performed with enthusiasm, skill and talent, delighting the guests, who appreciated that the future of the Centre and its mission depends very much on its youth.
As always, the food prepared by Ms. Daniella Toma and her staff was outstanding and generous. Ms. Maria Barkovic, with grace and discipline, kept the program flowing as host, and Mr. Davor Krivacic, Jr. was his usual busy self, keeping various systems functional. He and Mr.Luka Niksic also provided the audience with a pictorial history of the Centre that will remain as a record of activities over the past years.
Mr.Rade Serdarevic, President and Mr. Tony Kranjcevic, Vice President, representing the Board and the many volunteers who contributed greatly to the day provided inspiration to all about the nature of the Centre and what was important to all of us who want to preserve our heritage and contribute not only to the daily lives of Croatians within Calgary, but all Calgarians who seek to live in harmony and to enjoy what a peaceful, multicultural community offers all its citizens.
Mary Valentich, PhD, RSW
ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY MR. VESELKO GRUBIŠIĆ,
AMBASSADOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA TO CANADA
ON THE OCCASSION OF THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE
CROATIAN CANADIAN CULTURAL CENTRE IN CALGARY
JULY 6, 2014
AMBASSADOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA TO CANADA
ON THE OCCASSION OF THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE
CROATIAN CANADIAN CULTURAL CENTRE IN CALGARY
JULY 6, 2014