Published: November 15, 1998
View the Original Newsletter: Iskra-22.pdf
About This Issue
Iskra No. 22 reflects a turbulent yet spirited time in the Croatian-Canadian community. Editor Valentina Krčmar uses her editorial to confront issues of disunity among Croatian organizations in Toronto, urging honesty, humility, and cooperation. Alongside her essay, the issue contains news from Croatia and Canada, reflections on Vukovar’s legacy, coverage of local community events, and tributes to Croatian culture and resilience.
Motrišta: “When Unity Is Just a Word”
In her signature column Motrišta, Valentina writes passionately about the misuse of the word zajedništvo (unity). She begins by reflecting on the beauty of the Croatian language — words like Hrvatska, Vukovar, and branitelji — and how they carry warmth and depth. Yet, she laments, such words lose meaning when used insincerely.
She then addresses an incident involving the Canadian-Croatian Congress (KHK) in Toronto, of which she was once part of the executive committee. Valentina criticizes how the local branch was excluded from organizing a recent concert promoted as being under the patronage of the Congress and Croatian emigrant organizations. Despite being advertised as a community-wide event, Toronto’s own KHK chapter was left out entirely.
Her tone is disappointed but measured — she calls this exclusion a betrayal of zajedništvo itself. She reminds readers that “true unity means working together, respecting one another, complementing one another in good faith.” Without those qualities, she warns, beautiful words turn hollow.
Valentina ends poignantly:
“After a slap to Toronto’s KHK, this concert became something I fear to name — because it no longer belongs to the language of love and togetherness.”
Reflections on Vukovar: “Our Daily Vukovar”
The following piece by Željka Zgonjanin of Vukovar draws parallels between the suffering of her hometown and cities destroyed throughout history — from Jerusalem to Hiroshima. Through poetic prose, she writes of survivors rebuilding among ruins, clinging to faith and dignity:
“Vukovar, despite everything, lives.”
This haunting reflection marks the seventh anniversary of the city’s destruction and reminds readers of Croatia’s unbroken spirit.
National and International News
Prepared by Slavko Butković, this section summarizes major headlines from Croatia between late October and mid-November 1998:
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President Franjo Tuđman’s visit to Greece strengthens bilateral relations.
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Croatia prepares to join the World Trade Organization (WTO) by the end of 1999.
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Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina plan to sign an inter-state cooperation agreement and finalize arrangements regarding the Port of Ploče and access through Neum.
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The Republika Srpska government faces economic turmoil after devaluing the Yugoslav dinar.
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Council of Europe observers visit Croatia to monitor human rights commitments.
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Krško Nuclear Plant negotiations continue amid disputes between Croatia and Slovenia.
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Hrvatska Bratska Zajednica (Croatian Fraternal Union) and Croatian-Canadian organizations announce holiday events and community gatherings across Toronto, Hamilton, and Mississauga.
Poetry and Personal Reflections
“To My Father”
A touching poem by Dr. Davorka Križaj-Kapljić titled “Mom ocu” (“To My Father”) remembers a lost parent who died before witnessing Croatia’s rebirth. The poet imagines his spirit watching over a liberated homeland, blending grief with gratitude:
“You fell asleep before the resurrection of our Croatia… before the dawn of freedom long awaited.”
Letters to the Editor
Readers express appreciation for Iskra’s moral and cultural voice. One letter by Josip Mioč thanks Valentina for transforming the newsletter into a dignified publication and offers his own reflections on patriotism and faith, urging Croatians abroad to “return in heart and in service to our homeland.”
Community Life in Canada
The issue highlights a wide range of Croatian-Canadian community activities:
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The Croatian Canadian Congress (Toronto) announces a Christmas Banquet to raise funds for Croatian language education at the University of Toronto.
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The Parish of the Croatian Martyrs prepares its annual dinner and cultural performance.
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The Croatian Fraternal Union hosts a St. Nicholas celebration and traditional kolinje (sausage-making) event.
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The Hrvatski Fond Slavonija organizes a Slavonian Kolinje Night at Croatia Banquet Hall.
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The Women’s Association “Katarina Zrinska” hosts a formal dinner and dance at the Old Mill in Etobicoke, with proceeds benefiting humanitarian causes.
Each event demonstrates how cultural pride, faith, and generosity continue to sustain the diaspora.
Sports & Entertainment
A lively section of Croatian and international sports updates includes:
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Handball: Podravka Koprivnica’s women’s team wins 29–25 against Osijek.
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Basketball: Zagreb loses to Partizan Belgrade 87–97.
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Volleyball: Croatian women fall to China at the World Championships in Japan.
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Tennis: Iva Majoli exits the Leipzig tournament early, while Goran Ivanišević advances to the second round in Moscow.
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Figure Skating: The Zlatna Pirueta competition begins in Zagreb’s Dom Sportova.
There’s also humorous commentary under the title “Fantoms and Sheep”, a satirical poem by Ivica Puhalo about Toronto’s Croatian nightlife and the trials of community events that never go as planned.
Cultural Features
The newsletter closes with two cultural tributes:
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Tin Ujević, one of Croatia’s greatest poets, commemorated on the anniversary of his death (November 12, 1955).
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A cheerful account of the St. Martin’s Day (Martinje) celebration by the Folklorni Ansambl Hrvatska, capturing the humor and tradition of “baptizing young wine.”
Closing Thoughts
Iskra No. 22 encapsulates both the tension and the triumphs of the Croatian community — at home and abroad. Through Valentina Krčmar’s unwavering voice, it insists that words like zajedništvo must be lived, not merely spoken.
The newsletter closes with the same enduring message: only through honesty, respect, and shared purpose can Croatians — in Toronto and beyond — truly live up to the spirit of unity they so proudly proclaim.
