Published: June 15, 1998
View the Original Newsletter: Iskra-13.pdf
About This Issue
The thirteenth issue of Hrvatska Iskra continues to celebrate the strength and unity of the Croatian people at home and abroad. Released just weeks after the first anniversary of Croatia’s full reintegration, the newsletter reflects on the sacrifices made for independence, the legacy of Croatian heroes, and the ongoing need for cultural preservation among the diaspora. It blends remembrance, faith, and community news with stories of national progress and pride.
Remembering the Victims of Bleiburg
The issue opens with reflections on the tragedy of Bleiburg, where countless Croatians were executed or disappeared in 1945. The article recounts the memorial ceremonies held in Croatia and abroad, attended by thousands who came to honour those who perished.
Valentina Krčmar reminds readers that Bleiburg is not just a date in history but a symbol of loss and endurance. She urges Croatians to pass this memory on to younger generations so the truth is never silenced again.
Croatian Heroes and the Meaning of Sacrifice
A central feature pays tribute to Croatian soldiers and volunteers who fought in the Homeland War. Their courage, Krčmar writes, restored the borders of a nation and the dignity of its people.
Several personal testimonies appear throughout the issue, including stories of veterans rebuilding their lives after injury and families who lost loved ones but continue to serve their communities. The tone is solemn but hopeful, emphasizing gratitude over grief.
Faith and Resilience
Spiritual reflection plays a strong role in this issue. The Feast of the Sacred Heart is used as a metaphor for Croatia’s spiritual renewal. Priests writing from local parishes in Toronto and Mississauga speak about forgiveness, unity, and finding faith through adversity.
Krčmar reminds readers that the Croatian struggle for independence was not only political but also moral. True victory, she writes, lies in living with compassion, honesty, and faithfulness to one’s roots.
News from the Homeland
Several HINA news excerpts summarize political and cultural events across Croatia in early June 1998:
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The Croatian Parliament passes new legislation to improve veterans’ benefits.
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Preparations intensify for Pope John Paul II’s visit to Marija Bistrica.
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The Croatian national football team heads to France for the 1998 World Cup, with national pride running high.
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Rebuilding continues in Vukovar, where the city’s first renovated school reopens.
Each article reinforces the sense that Croatia is not only recovering but thriving, moving from survival to progress.
Community and Cultural Life
Toronto’s Croatian community remains active and engaged. Bedem Ljubavi reports on new humanitarian projects, while folklore groups rehearse for summer festivals across Ontario.
Croatian Community Services continues to offer free educational programs and assistance to newcomers, and parish announcements highlight upcoming religious celebrations.
A feature on the Croatian National Home in Hamilton recalls its founding decades earlier and its continuing role as a gathering place for generations of Croatian Canadians.
Literary and Cultural Heritage
The issue includes an article on Antun Gustav Matoš, the renowned Croatian poet and essayist. His words are described as a mirror of Croatian spirit — passionate, proud, and eternally curious. Krčmar writes that preserving language and literature abroad is one of the greatest forms of patriotism.
A poem at the end of the issue, written by a community member, expresses love for Croatia through imagery of the sea, olive trees, and the sound of tamburitza music — a poetic reminder that culture lives wherever Croatians gather.
Closing Thoughts
Iskra No. 13 is a reflection of remembrance and pride. It pays tribute to Croatia’s heroes, mourns the tragedies of the past, and celebrates the endurance of faith and culture. Through its mix of history, spirituality, and community, it continues to remind readers that every Croatian abroad carries a piece of home in their heart.
