Published: December 31, 2000
View the Original Newsletter: Iskra-72-73.pdf
About This Issue
The final issue of the year, Iskra No. 72–73, closes out 2000 with a powerful blend of gratitude, defiance, and hope. Editor Valentina Krčmar reflects on the turn of the millennium, the endurance of the Croatian spirit, and the moral duty to protect truth in an age of distortion.
The issue also looks back at a turbulent year in Croatian politics, celebrates diaspora generosity, and honors the voices that have shaped Iskra’s growing influence across Canada and beyond.
Editorial: “The Light of Truth”
Valentina opens the issue with one of her most stirring messages to date. She writes of truth as a fragile flame—something that must be guarded even when it flickers in the wind of public opinion.
“We must not fear to speak it, even when it hurts. Because the moment we stop defending the truth, we begin to betray ourselves.”
Her editorial reflects frustration with the Croatian government’s handling of cooperation with The Hague, as well as growing fatigue among Croats abroad who feel unheard. Yet her words are not bitter—they are a rallying cry for courage and unity.
“History will remember not those who shouted the loudest, but those who stood quietly, holding the light.”
Motrišta: “The Mirror of a Nation”
In her Motrišta column, Valentina examines how Croatians, both at home and in the diaspora, are being tested—not only by political challenges, but by their own divisions. She urges readers to rise above partisan loyalties and rediscover the moral principles that guided the struggle for independence.
“We have traded truth for convenience, and memory for silence. The question now is: will we recognize ourselves in the mirror we hold up?”
The tone is introspective and deeply personal, blending faith, patriotism, and a motherly sense of care for Croatia’s moral soul.
National Reflections: The Year in Review
The issue summarizes major events from 2000, marking it as a year of transformation:
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The death of Dr. Franjo Tuđman still casts a long shadow over the nation’s direction.
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President Stjepan Mesić and Prime Minister Ivica Račan continue to redefine Croatia’s political identity, pursuing international cooperation but facing domestic skepticism.
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Economic reforms struggle to take hold amid high unemployment and rural hardship.
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The Hague Tribunal remains a source of deep division, especially as new indictments loom.
Valentina’s commentary expresses cautious hope that, with honesty and hard work, Croatia can balance justice with dignity.
“Democracy without morality is not progress—it is erosion dressed as reform.”
Community Life: A Season of Giving
Despite political unease abroad, Croatian communities across Ontario filled the season with warmth and generosity.
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Bedem Ljubavi Toronto hosted a winter charity drive supporting war widows and children in need.
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The Croatian Martyrs Parish in Mississauga held its annual Christmas banquet, bringing together over 600 guests in faith and fellowship.
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The Croatian National Home in Hamilton organized a New Year’s Eve gala celebrating a new century of Croatian pride.
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Iskra itself received letters of appreciation from readers in Canada, Croatia, and Australia, praising its integrity and emotional depth.
“Even when oceans separate us, our hearts beat to the same rhythm.”
Faith and Reflection
A moving piece titled “Božić—The Light That Never Fades” reminds readers that Christmas is not just celebration but renewal. The author reflects on Christ’s birth as a symbol of persistence in a world darkened by greed and division.
“The Bethlehem light still burns, not because it is strong, but because it is pure.”
In a time of political fatigue, this message of humility and faith offers a quiet counterbalance to the turbulence of daily life.
Health Column: “Protecting Your Heart in Winter”
Dr. Darko Desaty shares practical advice for maintaining cardiovascular health during the cold months—focusing on diet, exercise, and stress management. He connects physical wellness with mental peace, encouraging readers to live simply and stay grateful.
“The heart that forgives beats the longest.”
Poetry & Inspiration
The issue includes several original poems from contributors, including Ivica Puhalo, whose verses capture the ache of exile and the hope of return:
“Between two homelands I walk—
one I left, one that took me in.
And in both, I search for home.”
These works blend nostalgia and resolve, closing the year with emotion and grace.
Closing Words
Valentina ends the issue with a message of endurance and gratitude:
“May the new century find us wiser, kinder, and still unafraid.
May we guard the truth not only with words, but with the way we live.”
Iskra No. 72–73 stands as both reflection and promise—a reminder that Croatia’s story is still being written, and that every act of remembrance keeps its light alive.
