Published: April 30, 2002
View the Original Newsletter: Iskra-106.pdf
About This Issue
Iskra No. 106 stands as the most emotional and historically significant issue in the paper’s decade-long history. In what would become her final editorial, Valentina Krčmar announces the temporary closure of Hrvatska Iskra following a shocking incident at the Croatian Credit Union’s Annual General Meeting in Toronto on April 21, 2002.
Her tone is resolute, sorrowful, and profoundly human — the voice of a journalist refusing to compromise her conscience for the comfort of silence.
Editorial: “To Be Mensch”
Valentina begins with a reflection on integrity:
“Do you know what the word mensch means? It means a person with character — someone who dares to do what’s right even when it’s hard.”
She declares the closure of Hrvatska Iskra an act of moral courage rather than defeat, explaining that her conscience would not allow her to continue publishing while the community tolerated corruption and abuse. She calls for accountability and justice within the Credit Union, expressing deep gratitude to readers and contributors for their loyalty.
“This is not an end — only a pause. When democracy returns, Iskra will shine again.”
Valentina also assures subscribers that their funds are safe and promises refunds if requested, closing her message with grace and sincerity.
Motrišta: “I Cannot Swallow This”
The centrepiece of the issue is an explosive, deeply personal essay recounting the events of April 21, 2002, when Valentina and others were physically removed from the Croatian Credit Union’s annual meeting by private security guards — many of whom were Croatian themselves.
She describes being forcibly grabbed and thrown out of the building:
“Never in my life did I think that a Croat would raise a hand against another Croat in Canada.”
Outraged and heartbroken, she questions how Croatian funds were used to hire a Croatian-owned security firm (Duke Security) to silence members and prevent democratic questioning.
“If we cannot even speak the truth, better to close the shop. Our community is not only stagnating — it is in crisis.”
The column ends as both confession and farewell — a protest against moral decay and fear within the diaspora.
“As long as those who ordered this remain in power, Hrvatska Iskra cannot continue. When they are gone, when democracy breathes again — the flame will return.”
Community & Culture
Despite its somber core, Iskra No. 106 remains rich with community spirit:
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Announcements for folk dance group anniversaries and the 28th Croatian Folklore Festival in Mississauga.
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A Canadian Association of Slavists conference featuring Croatian scholars Vinko Grubišić, Anita Mikulić-Kovačević, and Ivan Čizmić, discussing cultural renewal and Croatian language education.
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A passionate appeal to support Croatian language courses at the University of Toronto, emphasizing the importance of preserving linguistic identity abroad.
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Invitations to charity golf tournaments, parish concerts, and local gatherings.
In Memoriam: Zdenka Filiplić
A moving tribute honors Zdenka Filiplić, a beloved member of Toronto’s Croatian community. Through touching storytelling, Valentina recalls her warmth, faith, and dedication:
“She loved everyone, and everyone loved her back.”
The piece reads like both eulogy and celebration — a final example of Valentina’s ability to make ordinary lives feel profound.
Faith & Remembrance: Bleiburg and the Weight of Memory
As every May approached, Iskra traditionally remembered Bleiburg, the 1945 massacre of retreating Croatian soldiers and civilians. Valentina once again urges survivors to share their testimonies before it’s too late:
“Our time is passing. Many will die without ever telling their stories. Do not let their memory disappear.”
Health and Knowledge
Dr. Zdravko Desaty contributes a practical and science-based article on the Glycemic Index, explaining how carbohydrates affect insulin and heart health — one of the earliest diaspora publications to address nutrition trends emerging from Toronto’s medical community.
Humor & Reflection
Even amidst turmoil, Valentina includes moments of levity — classic Croatian political jokes and witty “menus” lampooning bureaucracy and moral compromise, underscoring her belief that humor remains a form of survival.
The Final Goodbye
The issue closes with a painful but dignified farewell. Valentina’s last words as editor are not bitter — they are hopeful:
“When the winds of democracy return, Hrvatska Iskra will shine brighter than ever before.”
She signs simply, “Zbogom – for now.”
With that, Iskra ends — not extinguished, but paused, waiting for the right moment to burn again.
