Published: July 15, 1999
View the Original Newsletter: Iskra-38.pdf
About This Issue
Iskra No. 38 is both a heartfelt reflection and a rallying cry — a summer issue that celebrates Croatian resilience, cultural life, and the enduring strength of women in both Croatia and the diaspora. Through Valentina Krčmar’s deeply personal essay and an array of international and local reports, the issue highlights women’s diminishing role in public life, Croatia’s political and social developments in the late 1990s, and the cultural vibrancy of Croatian communities in Canada.
This issue is rich in voices — from editorials and global headlines to poetry, humor, and health advice — capturing a time when the Croatian spirit was redefining itself after war and in the midst of renewal.
Motrišta: “Gdje su nestale žene?”
In her stirring column, Valentina Krčmar reflects on the decline of women’s participation in social and community work, both in Croatia and among Croatian-Canadians. She recalls the early 1990s, when women filled the halls of Toronto’s Croatia Banquet Hall to organize humanitarian aid through Bedem Ljubavi (Mothers for Peace), united by purpose and sacrifice.
Now, years later, she laments the absence of those same women in leadership and community initiatives, urging them to reengage:
“We once worked side by side with men and achieved incredible things. How did we allow ourselves to fade without resistance?”
Krčmar calls for a revival of women’s influence — not in competition with men, but as equal partners whose strength, persistence, and compassion are essential to progress. Her appeal is personal yet universal, reminding readers that civic duty extends beyond words:
“Each of us has only one chance to do something great in life. For us Croatians, that time is now.”
From the Editor’s Desk
Valentina opens this issue with disbelief at the latest political developments: reports that Croatian Serbs, before returning, were demanding semi-autonomous regions. “It takes the cake,” she writes, expressing both astonishment and frustration at what she sees as continued defiance in the face of Croatian sovereignty.
She introduces this as a “summer, light-hearted issue” filled with cultural and community content — from reflections on travel and family to updates from Croatia. She encourages readers to take Iskra on vacation, writing warmly:
“Whether you are in Croatia or here in Canada, rest well and enjoy the beauty of our homeland — even for those of us who must stay behind.”
Highlights from Croatia
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Tuđman to Sign Stability Pact — President Franjo Tuđman announces Croatia’s participation in the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe, aiming for peace and regional cooperation.
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Hague Tribunal Updates — Croatia files charges against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia for wartime atrocities.
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Serbian Autonomy Demands — Refugee leaders call for semi-autonomous Serbian zones within Croatia, sparking national debate.
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Infrastructure and Sports — Zagreb’s Maksimir Stadium nears completion with over 315 million kuna invested ahead of military games.
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Culture and Education — The University of Zagreb launches its School of Croatian Language and Culture, welcoming students from Argentina, Austria, Australia, and beyond.
Canadian-Croatian Life
The newsletter features a robust section on community updates from Toronto and Mississauga, emphasizing gatherings, social organizations, and events hosted by the Croatian Credit Union and cultural associations. Weekly Croatian Fridays offer screenings of the HRT news and open discussions for members of the diaspora to stay informed and connected.
Advertisements for local Croatian businesses, directories, and community resources underscore the vibrancy of Toronto’s Croatian network at the turn of the millennium.
Culture and Reflection
“Dalmatia” — A Poem by Frajo Alfirević
A lyrical return to homeland and identity, Alfirević’s poem paints Dalmatia as “the land of light,” where the sea and the sun merge with memory and spirit.
“Ljetna razmišljanja” — Zlata Jurić
In a moving personal essay, Zlata Jurić reflects on the melancholy of summer in Toronto for those who cannot return home. She writes about nostalgia, friendship, and the healing power of writing letters:
“When you write to those who love you, you send them a piece of sunshine in an envelope.”
Health and Lifestyle
An extensive health section discusses the benefits of Vitamin B6 — not only for women’s hormonal balance and premenstrual health but also for general vitality. Practical dietary tips are offered, alongside natural remedies for hair care, beauty, and well-being.
Letters and Human Stories
A letter from Matilda, a new immigrant from Bosnia, recounts her life marked by wartime loss and resilience. Having lost her father — a Croatian soldier — as an infant, she shares her struggle to rebuild a life in Mississauga with her daughter, appealing for community support and connection.
Her story is emblematic of many Croatian women whose strength carried them through trauma and displacement.
Humor and Community Columns
The Svaštice (Odds and Ends) column offers a lighthearted balance — from jokes about the “gender of computers” to home and garden tips, strawberry skincare recipes, and advice for safely moving potted plants.
Closing Thought
Iskra No. 38 stands as a testament to the power of women, the endurance of Croatian identity, and the continuing effort to build bridges — between generations, between homeland and diaspora, and between past and future.
