Voices for Croatia

Published: August 1, 2003
View the Original Newsletter: Iskra-123.pdf

About This Issue

Iskra No. 123 captures a moment of deep moral exhaustion within the Croatian-Canadian community and a searching reflection on personal responsibility. Valentina Krčmar opens the issue in the heat of a Croatian summer—both literally and spiritually—writing from a place of empathy for those enduring hardship at home while urging compassion and courage among émigrés abroad.

The edition is rich with both global and local life: political shifts in Zagreb, cultural tributes, humor, medical insight, and heartfelt letters from readers. But at its core lies Valentina’s searing editorial, a meditation on silence, truth, and the moral duty to speak for those cast aside.

Editorial: “We Are All Apostles”

Valentina begins with an unflinching self-examination. Returning from the anniversary celebration of the Parish of the Croatian Martyrs in Mississauga, she recalls a sermon by Father Jenko Bulić, who reminded the congregation that “we are all apostles.” To Valentina, this is more than a spiritual truth—it is a challenge to live with moral courage in the everyday world.

She reflects on the Croatian Credit Union controversy, lamenting the treatment of those who had served the institution faithfully but were dismissed or defamed in the press. “Their names,” she writes, “were printed in lies, while truth could not afford a lawyer.”

“Your silence—our silence—kills everything noble in our friends.”

Her voice trembles between frustration and faith. She praises those who, like Mr. Bezić, continue to defend integrity despite financial and personal cost. The editorial closes with a plea:

“We cannot call ourselves apostles if we remain silent when justice is crucified among us.”

National & Political News

This issue situates Croatia at a political crossroads:

Parliamentary elections are expected for November 23, 2003, as Prime Minister Ivica Račan navigates EU negotiations and domestic fatigue.
President Stjepan Mesić honors the engineers behind the Zagreb–Split motorway, praising infrastructure as “the road to Europe.”
Reports from Washington note that Croatia has been placed on the U.S. list of countries losing military aid due to support for the International Criminal Court.

The tone of these sections alternates between cautious optimism and irritation at geopolitical double standards. Valentina’s commentary suggests that Croatia’s true strength lies not in alliances but in moral consistency.

Community News: “Faith in Action”

Summer brings renewal across the diaspora.

The Parish of the Croatian Martyrs celebrates its 23rd anniversary, uniting hundreds in a day of worship and music under the open sky.
A pilgrimage to Midland, organized by Our Lady Queen of Croats Parish, draws record attendance. Valentina praises the dedication of Father Josip Kos and his volunteers, noting the “flawless harmony of faith and friendship.”
Toronto welcomes Mario Livaja as the new Croatian consul, whose professional background spans public administration, energy, and diplomacy.

Letters from readers express affection for Iskra and gratitude for its cultural storytelling. Valentina responds humbly but admits uncertainty about the paper’s financial survival, writing, “For now, Hrvatska Iskra still sparks—how long, only God knows.”

Culture & Heritage

Cultural pages highlight the enduring beauty of Croatia’s creative spirit:

A biographical essay honors Nasta Roje, a painter whose impressionistic works captured the soul of Dalmatia.
Mate Balota, the Istrian poet and essayist, is celebrated for his lyrical realism and devotion to coastal life.
A historical reprint from Dubrovnik circa 1930 warns against neglecting nature—“as timely today as it was seventy years ago,” Valentina notes.

Elsewhere, readers find reflections on Croatia’s lighthouses, literary reviews, and a poem by Rikard Katalinić Jeretov, whose verses of exile and love close with a quiet ache: “Pustil san te suncu i ka lebu tiću…”

Health & Wellness

Dr. Darko Desaty’s section addresses sun protection and photo-allergies, featuring expert commentary from dermatologist Dr. Mirna Šitum. The article explains how certain sunscreen ingredients can cause allergic reactions and urges caution when combining medication with prolonged sun exposure.

Complementary health notes advise readers to:

Stay hydrated during heat waves.
Replenish nutrients lost through perspiration.
Consider beta-carotene and vitamin B supplements to protect skin and circulation.

The message is clear and timeless: caring for one’s body is a moral duty, not vanity.

Everyday Life & Humor

Lighthearted humor offsets the issue’s gravity. Anecdotes include political jokes (“Parliament votes 84 for and 53 against your recovery”), a boy genius who knows soccer rules but not when to use the bathroom, and a witty epitaph—“Here lies my wife; I now rest in peace at home.”

Recipes from community picnics return as a beloved feature, including a Pitamacha apple cake by Mrs. Hrgetić, described as “economical and divine.”

Sports

Croatia’s sporting pride fills the final pages:

Davor Šuker is named the greatest Croatian footballer of the past 50 years by the Croatian Football Federation.
Gordan Kožulj earns a silver medal in the 200 m backstroke at the World Championships in Barcelona.
The junior national basketball team triumphs over Greece, advancing to the semifinals of the World Championship in Thessaloniki.

Together, these victories remind readers that Croatian resilience shines brightest on the world stage.

Closing Reflection

Valentina ends this issue on a tone of both fatigue and faith. She calls upon the Croatian community to look inward—beyond pride, beyond gossip—to the simple act of decency.