This volume is the first scholarly study in the English language of Croatia’s extraordinary artistic heritage. Leading specialists analyse the key cultural developments in this small country’s history, from the extensive Roman remains on the Adriatic coast, through the gothic splendour of the Dalmatian cities in the Middle Ages and intensive artistic exchange with Italy during the Renaissance, to the grand houses and art collections of continental Croatia.

The essays address iconic monuments like Diocletian’s palace at Split and the walled city of Dubrovnik alongside more unfamiliar treasures, some never published before.

This books sets Croatia’s cultural past in context, reflecting the country’s unique history at the crossroads between Italy, Central Europe and the Mediterranean.

With contributions by leading British, American and Croatian writers and scholars, including John Julius Norwich, Timothy Clifford, Marcus Binney, Brian Sewell and Sheila McNally this book presents for the first time a portrait of the culture of this captivating and too little known country.

This book on Croatia can be ordered from www.croatianmonuments.org

The Embassy of the Republic of Croatia and The British-Croatian Society request the pleasure of your company on Thursday 30 April, 18:00 for 18:30 at  Embassy of the Republic of Croatia, 21 Conway Street, London W1T 6BN

Malcolm Hardy

will introduce the new English edition of his book

The British and Vis
War in the Adriatic 1805-15
This publication forms part of a larger project concerning the activity of the British in the Adriatic in the latter period of the wars against Napoleon 1804-15. It attempts an integrated approach covering military and naval as well as political and diplomatic aspects, and uses hitherto unpublished material. A detailed study, it presents the context in which it became increasingly important for the British to occupy and fortify the strategically-important island of Vis, and the slow development of British intentions and their realisation.

Copies of the publication will be available at a special introductory price RSVP: Flora Turner tel/fax 0207 387 3276 - Nearest underground stations Warren Street and Great Portland Street.

Literary perspectives:

Here is an excerpt:

While the stars of Croatian ‘women’s literature’ continue to forge their own styles, a new generation of post-feminist writers has emerged in the crossover between literature and journalism.

One theme common to much new Croatian writing is the postwar experience, with authors using marginal characters to explore existentialist tensions between individual and society.

Yet what really makes contemporary Croatian writing interesting is the variety of individual literary approaches, writes Andrea Zlatar…

Download this article in pdf format here + check books about Croatia

The book ‘Insert-Retrospective of Croatian Video Art’

The publication is a follow-up of the museum’s 2005 retrospective and presents the works of some one hundred video artists on 360 pages with 466 reproductions, in Croatian and English.

To order a book, contact Museum of Contemporary Art of Croatia here

What followed included a series of fortunate coincidences and near-disasters, an almost heroic cricketing encounter, improbable cultural exchanges and the discovery of unexpected links to British history stretching back beyond the Second World War to the time of Napoleon.

 Read more about The Ascent of Mount Hum

ZAGREB: A CULTURAL AND LITERARY HISTORY book by Celia Hawkesworth, Foreword by Sonia Wild Bićanić:

Situated at the foot of a range of hills on the edge of the great Pannonian Plain, for most of its history Zagreb has been a small town to which things happened. Administered from 1102 by Hungary and later absorbed into the Habsburg Monarchy, Zagreb was under threat from the advancing Ottomans until the late sixteenth century. In 1918 the Croatian lands joined their immediate South Slav neighbours in the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, later renamed Yugoslavia. Following Yugoslavia’s violent collapse, in 1991 Zagreb became the capital city of the new independent Croatia.

From the mid-nineteenth century onwards Zagreb developed steadily into a modern city, reflecting all the important trends in Central European culture, architecture and fashion. Its pretty centre is laid out according to a plan incorporating trees and public gardens, forming a “green horseshoe” lined with imposing buildings. Celia Hawkesworth explores this central core and the atmospheric old town on a rise above it, finding a mix of old and modern building, a rich cultural tradition and a vibrant outdoor café life. She tells the story of many individuals who have contributed to creating the city’s unique inner life and who are commemorated in statues in the streets and squares… read more

If you want to get away from the central Med entirely, try Vis (crowdfactor 74), an hour and a half from Split (Croatia) by hydrofoil. Wild and mountainous, with fine views, Vis is known for producing good wine and is an easy base from which to visit the beautiful blue sea cave on the neighbouring island of Bisevo. Another easy half-hour hop from Split is Solta (crowdfactor 55), a wooded island with many fine beaches, famous for its honey, mulberries, olives and rosemary…

… Working down the crowdfactor list to the quiet islands, we return to Croatia. Sipan is by far the most peaceful of the Elafiti islands, with a crowdfactor of just 46, with walks through hills clad in pine and cypress, and plains growing oranges, vines and olives. Sipan’s quiet beaches are just an hour from Dubrovnik by ferry…

… While Greece gets the most entries, we return to Croatia to find the quietest islands in the Med. Mljet (crowdfactor 24) is a beautifully forested place, the west end of which is a national park, a hub for bikers and walkers. It’s famed for its great fish, cheese and wine but wild mongooses have also put this small island on the map – they were originally introduced to reduce the large resident snake population. Mljet is 90 minutes from Dubrovnik by hydrofoil.

Sveti Klement (crowdfactor 11) is perfect for families, a green island with a hotel resort and a marina. There are no cars here but plenty of water sports including fishing and diving. The food is delicious, especially shellfish and fresh vegetables that are grown on the island. Sveti Klement has magnificent botanical gardens and many beaches and coves, and it’s only 20 minutes from the popular central Dalmatian island of Hvar by boat.

The award for the quietest island in the Mediterranean goes to Scedro (crowdfactor 1), half an hour by boat from Hvar. This island has an area of just eight square kilometres and has just one place to stay: a rental house (it sleeps 10) in a tiny settlement that encompasses the remains of a Dominican monastery. There’s not much to do here, but that’s entirely the point. Take a wander through the island’s wild landscape, vineyards or olive groves and you’ll be about ready to hit the beach. Link to article

The two gastro-guides present a total of 32 Istrian restaurants,  and five in Opatija.

The Italian gastro-guide Veronelli was printed in 40 thousand copies, and the French Gault Millau in 30 thousand copies, and they will both be ready for the upcoming tourist season.

Inclusion of the Istrian gastronomic offering in the pages of such important European gastronomic guides is a great, yet expected success. As it happens, great improvements in the quality and quantity of the gastro offer have been noticeable in the entire Istria over the past few years, and this mainly pertains to the traditional specialties, which have already made Istria distinctive. The gastronomic specialties are accompanied by Istrian wines and olive oils in the international distinctiveness.

Istria Tourist Board www.istria.hr

Mr Domijan, Chief Conservator at the Croatian Ministry of Culture will give an illustrated talk about the restoration of Rab with special emphasis on the significance of drawings and writing by the famous British architect Sir Thomas Graham Jackson RA. Copies of the book will be available

The event address: The Croatian Embassy, 21 Conway Street , London W1T 6BN

Fodor’s The Complete Guide to European Cruises, 1st Edition is due to be published on the 5th of February.

This new guide book, subtitled as ‘A cruise lover’s guide to selecting the right trip with all the best ports of call’ also features info about Dubrovnik and Croatia . It includes variety of tourist sites in Dubrovnik Old Town, which Fodor’s describes as ‘an area that is compact and car-free.’

But don’t rent a car to get from the port to the Old Town; instead, Fodor’s says, take a shuttle, public bus, or taxi.

Recommended sites include “War Photo Limited,” a modern gallery devoted to “shocking but impressive” photojournalism, and Gradske Zidine, the 80-foot-tall city walls, first erected during the 13th century, then reinforced over the next 400 years…

In the introduction to the book, Fodor’s write: Europe was the fastest-growing cruising region in the world in 2006, and more ships will cruise there in 2007 than ever before. But cruising in Europe isn’t the same as cruising anywhere else in the world! This guide offers everything a traveler needs to know in order to plan the ideal European cruise.

Cruise expert Linda Coffman explains what makes a European cruise different and offers travelers insightful guidance on planning the best European cruise. She shares how to find the best ship and itinerary to fit every need and gives a complete overview of all the cruise lines and ships that travel European waters.

At last, Fodor’s has cut through the clutter, providing:
·Clear, detailed reviews of every major ship sailing in European waters
·Full-color photos of the best ships inside and out
·Thorough coverage of 60 major ports of call (including recommendations for the best ship-sponsored excursions and what you can see on your own)
·A complete guide to European river cruising by veteran cruiser Ralph Grizzle

Pre-order your book here

The book includes full description and current prices for about 715 Croatian hotels and apartments in Croatia. All 525 categorised hotels from Croatia are featured, inclusive of 95 four star hotels and 13 five star hotels as well as 150 small hotels and some hotels that are not yet categorised.

To make it easier to use, the book is divided by five Croatian regions – Istra, Kvarner and Primorje, Dalmacija, Zagreb, Continental Croatia and Slavonija.

All Croatian Hotels book is published in 3000 copies and includes DVD as well as short introduction to history of hotels in Croatia.

To order your copy of the book, contact: Business Media Croatia d.o.o., Bosutska 9, 10 000 Zagreb – tel: 01/ 6311 800, fax: 01/ 6311 810

About “Croatia Cruising Companion” by John Wiley & Sons:

The Dalmatian coast, with its many unspoilt islands and crystal clear waters, ranks high amongst the best cruising areas in the world. Share its secrets, get an inside track on the latest cruising and destination news, and obtain all the facts, photos and chartlets you need to cruise it safely, discover its hidden gems, and enjoy it to the full.

Croatia is a cruising hotspot that is developing rapidly. This is the most in depth and up to date book of its kind on the market. The authors have access to the best contacts and latest information on what is happening onshore and offshore. They have lived and worked in the cruising area for five years.This book features:

The concept for the project was to present the younger generation of Croatian writers which were not so far translated in German language.

Next March, the focus of the Leipzig Book Fair will be placed on Croatia. For many years the Leipzig Book Fair has attached great importance to the promotion of literature from Central and Eastern Europe.

„The most important goal for us to achieve, is to draw a remarkably increased attention towards the Croatian literary landscape” says Oliver Zille, the Leipzig Book Fair’s director. “This project, set out for 3 years, will increase the presence of Croatian literature and of its most interesting authors in the German book market and make them more known.”

An open discourse will be engaged about the role of Croatian culture in the whole of the European cultural landscape and its special mediating role in the region. Existing stereotypes should be brought down and narrowminded political thinking reduced. Literature will make it possible to draw a more differentiated and vivid picture of today’s Croatia.
A wide range of events and presentations will reflect a variety of Croatia’s different aspects.

More info at http://www.crobuch.de/

Koprivnica – A Town With A Heart, is the title of the new tourist guidebook, published along with a detailed geographic and tourist map of the entire Koprivnica-Križevci County and a map of the town itself.

The 60-page guidebook, which features numerous and attractive photos, presents the rich history of the town and focuses on spotlighting all of the key events and, of course, brings a description of all of the town’s cultural points of interest and monuments.

There is also a contemporary depiction of the town, the galleries of Koprivnica and the natural points of interest, while great attention has been paid to the descriptions of events and happenings staged in the town throughout the year. Prominent among the numerous events are: the Podravina Motifs – an event traditionally staged in early July when the town becomes one big gallery of naive art. There is aslo an attractive Renaissance festival based on the history of Koprivnica, the antique automobile race and many other events.

About Koprivnica: Koprivnica is the central settlement in the Podravina region in Croatia  (region located around Drava river) , that won the status of a royal free town as far back as in the year 1356. The old panorama of the town, still discernable to this day, emerged in the 16th century after the Turkish incursions into the area, when a strong earthwork fortress was built around the settlement with four bastions and four towers. The predominantly wooden construction of the period saw the fortress gradually deteriorate, so that only its southeastern bastion and the moats around it are now visible. Baroque period buildings are prominent and of greatest interest among the older cultural monuments, edifices such as the St Anthony of Padua church complex with its Franciscan monastery and beautiful annex in the form of the Salvatore chapel and the Oružane building from 1714. Expanding outside of the area within the town walls, now the town core with a square adjacent to a spacious park featuring a late 19th century music pavilion, it gets its final form in the early 20th century.

More info on Koprivnica Tourist Board http://www.koprivnicatourism.com/ and Koprivnica-Križevci County Tourist Board http://www.tz-koprivnicko-krizevacka.hr/

Goli Otok – Hell in the Adriatic

The Former Yugoslavia’s Notorious Evil Island Gulag

By Josip Zoretic

Goli Otok – Hell in the Adriatic is the true story of Josip Zoretic’s tragic experience and survival as a political prisoner of the former Yugoslavia’s most notorious prison, Goli Otok, and the circumstances that led to his imprisonment.  He provides a first hand account of the island prison labor camp from 1962-1969 that institutionalized a system of repression and enslavement against those who opposed the communist regime and the spread of greater Serbian authority.   It is a rare detailed description of the evil and horrors that happened on Goli Otok.

REVIEWS

• Goli Otok – Hell in the Adriatic is one man’s story of life, death, escape, and punishment in post-World War II Yugoslavia. The man was Josip Zoretić and the setting is Goli Otok, the “Naked Island” prison camp in the Adriatic Sea.  The story is straight forward and brutally frank in its descriptions of day-to-day life on the island-prison. Some years ago Alexander Solzhenitsyn gave a similar picture in One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich about life in the Gulags of the Soviet Union. This book brings light to the other gulags in the former Yugoslavia and puts to rest once and for all the myth of “Communism with a Human Face.” ( C. Michael McAdams, University of San Francisco, retired, Author of Croatia: Myth & Reality)
• A raw and poignant first hand account of the gross, systematic human rights violations of political prisoners in the former Yugoslavia’s most notorious prison.  This book serves as a testament to the infallible sufferings the Croatian people endured under the Communist Yugoslav regime. ( Brenda Brkusic, Award Winning Filmmaker, Freedom from Despair, Producer, PBS-TV)

HOW TO ORDER

To order a book please send a $15 check (includes shipping) payable to Marko Zoretic to:

Marko Zoretic
P.O. BOX 18091
IRVINE, CA 92623-8091

The book can also be ordered from the author’s website, www.GoliOtok.com, or at Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com.  The book can also be ordered from most bookstores around the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, or at the publisher’s website, www.Virtualbookworm.com. 

Paperback: 156 pages
Publisher: Virtualbookworm.com Publishing
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1589399900
ISBN-13: 978-1589399907
Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 4.9 x 0.5 inches
Price: $12.95

Stunning color photos, vivid descriptions, and enlightening maps tell readers what they want to know before they travel to romantic destinations around the world.

In this brand-new edition of a perennial Barron’s best-seller, approximately 50 dream locations—from the towering cliffs of Yosemite National Park to elegant and exotic cities like Kyoto and Prague—are pictured and described with sidebar information on climate, currencies, best seasons for visiting, and local dining delights.This lavishly produced guide in its revised and updated edition blends solid information with brand-new color photos and scenic atmosphere in a way that will please both active and armchair travelers.

The New Traveler’s Atlas offers inspiration for travel planning, pointing out the special qualities that make each of its chosen destinations unique—whether for their sheer physical beauty, their evocation of past civilizations, or their current culture and lively traditions. Sites of special interest to travelers that have been added to this brand-new edition include:  British Columbia, Patagonia ,  Iceland , Hanoi, Vietnam , Dubrovnik, Croatia . . and others.

Open this beautiful book and find the travel destination that suits your schedule, your mood, your stage in life, and your dreams. Includes a directory of tourist information services with phone numbers and web sites, an extensive index, and more than 200 color photos and maps.

You can buy this book directly from the publisher – the link is here