Published: November 28, 1997
View the original Newsletter: Circular-1.pdf
After nearly a year of silence, the beloved community newspaper of Toronto’s Croatian diaspora returned to print. The relaunch of Cirkular was both a tribute to its late founder, Zvonko Mekinda, and a renewed promise to keep Croatian voices, stories, and connections alive across Canada.
A New Beginning
The issue opens with a heartfelt editorial by Valentina Krčmar, who reflects on the loss of Zvonko Mekinda, the founder, editor, and soul of Cirkular, who passed away on February 10, 1997. She recalls the emptiness that followed his death and the challenge of continuing his legacy.
Krčmar shares how inspiration struck her while walking through her hometown of Zagreb. She realized that to find peace, she needed to revive Cirkular. Upon returning to Toronto, she joined forces with a small team—engineers Slavko Butković, Vlado Petranović, and Darko Šturman—to bring the paper back to life.
Her tone is deeply personal and reverent. She thanks Zvonko Mekinda for his trust during his lifetime and expresses hope that the revived Cirkular will make him proud, keeping his kindness, love for Croatia, and commitment to truth at its heart.
Remembering Zvonko Mekinda
Several pages are devoted to tributes to Zvonko Mekinda, who founded Cirkular and ran it single-handedly for years. Friends and colleagues describe him as tireless, kind, and devoted to the Croatian cause.
Dr. Mladen Šeldl calls him the “founding spirit” of Croatian print journalism in Toronto, praising his humility and his ability to lift community morale during the war years through his humor and perseverance.
Vlado Petranović recounts how he first met Zvonko through the Croatian Credit Union in 1977 and later worked alongside him in community organizations. He remembers Zvonko as generous, family-oriented, and deeply patriotic—a man who helped new immigrants find jobs and who worked endlessly to promote Croatia in Canada.
Zvonko’s daughter-in-law Lynn Mekinda writes a touching piece titled “Our Opa – The Family Man”, describing him as a loving grandfather who filled family gatherings with laughter, warmth, and stories from his youth in Zagreb.
Krčmar herself contributes a moving farewell, thanking him for his faith in her and recalling how his wisdom and calm spirit inspired her to believe in her own voice.
Life and Politics in Croatia and Abroad
Beyond the tributes, Cirkular No. 1 includes a variety of community news and reports from Croatia, reflecting its mission to inform and unite Croatians abroad.
Highlights include:
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Croatian Foreign Minister Mate Granić announces that the UNTAES mission in the Podunavlje region will conclude on January 15, 1998, marking the full peaceful reintegration of Eastern Croatia.
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Reports from HINA (the Croatian News Agency) cover topics such as the 1998 national budget, Croatia’s relationship with Israel, and a new bridge construction project near Dubrovnik.
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News of international cooperation includes a $15 million investment fund to support small and medium-sized Croatian enterprises, and the appointment of William Montgomery as the new U.S. ambassador to Croatia.
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A note about landmine casualties in Bosnia underscores the lingering dangers of post-war recovery.
The Community in Canada
Locally, the issue highlights the vibrancy of the Croatian-Canadian community:
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Dr. Ivo Sanader, then Deputy Foreign Minister of Croatia, is scheduled to give a lecture in Mississauga on “The Current Moment in Croatian Foreign Policy.”
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The Canadian-Croatian Congress announces its annual meeting for January 1998.
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Hrvatsko Žensko Društvo “Katarina Zrinska” (the Croatian Women’s Society) holds its traditional gala on November 22 in Etobicoke, celebrating forty-one years of community service.
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Other announcements include Christmas dinners, church events, and fundraisers, showing the strength and unity of Croatian organizations throughout the Greater Toronto Area.
Honouring Croatian Excellence
Engineer Darko Šturman contributes a column titled “Croatians in Canada” highlighting Croatian professionals who have made significant cultural and academic contributions. This issue features Professor Neda Leipen, a renowned archaeologist at the Royal Ontario Museum and the University of Toronto.
Šturman details her career from Zagreb to Canada, her leadership in the “Katarina Zrinska” society, and her recognition by the City of Toronto for community service. Her story illustrates how Croatian immigrants enriched Canadian life while keeping their heritage alive.
Canada’s Humanitarian Aid to Former Yugoslavia
The newsletter also reprints a report from the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs outlining how Canada provided more than $65 million in humanitarian aid during and after the wars. It lists contributions to organizations such as the Red Cross, UNICEF, and UNHCR for food, medical supplies, housing, and support for refugees and displaced persons across Bosnia and Croatia.
The editors encourage readers to reflect critically on how and where this aid was distributed, particularly regarding Red Cross allocations, hinting at ongoing frustration about fairness and oversight.
Remembering, Reflecting, and Moving Forward
The closing section reminds readers that Cirkular is again the “messenger of the Croatian community in Toronto and surrounding areas.” It invites organizations and individuals to submit announcements, greetings, and advertisements to sustain the paper.
Krčmar’s tone throughout is warm, grateful, and deeply human. She sees Cirkular’s return not just as a publication, but as a bridge connecting Croatians across generations and continents.
Final Reflection
Cirkular No. 1 (November 28, 1997) marks the rebirth of a beloved voice in Toronto’s Croatian community. It is both a memorial to Zvonko Mekinda and a declaration that his spirit of unity and service will continue.
Through heartfelt tributes, community news, and national updates, this issue reaffirms the shared purpose that Cirkular always represented: to inform, to preserve heritage, and to keep the light of Croatia shining for those far from home.
