Published: April 30, 2001
View the Original Newsletter: Iskra-81.pdf
About This Issue
Iskra No. 81 reflects on a Croatia caught between remembrance and reconstruction. Valentina Krčmar uses this issue to weigh the legacy of war, the moral duty of truth, and the slow rebirth of civic life. It balances sobering national commentary with gratitude for community resilience in Canada as Croatians worldwide prepared to celebrate the first spring of a new century.
Editorial: “When the Heart Speaks, the Mind Listens”
Valentina opens with an appeal for understanding over judgment. She notes that Croatians at home and abroad have become increasingly polarized—between pride and disappointment, faith and fatigue.
“We have become a people who argue about everything but agree on nothing, not even on what we once fought for.”
She urges readers to slow down and listen—to themselves, to one another, and to the voice of conscience that once united the nation. The tone is gentler than in previous issues, as though she’s writing not to admonish, but to heal.
“Only when the heart speaks, can the mind truly listen.”
Motrišta: “The Illusion of Normalcy”
In her Motrišta column, Valentina describes the uneasy calm that followed years of crisis. Croatia, she argues, looks peaceful on the surface, but beneath it lies exhaustion, bureaucracy, and disillusionment.
“We call it normal life—but what kind of normality is it when so many live in fear, debt, and silence?”
She contrasts the old days of visible struggle with today’s quieter moral battles: corruption, indifference, and fading gratitude toward those who sacrificed for independence. Still, she insists that hope must be nurtured daily—through honesty, compassion, and civic duty.
“The hardest war is the one we fight within ourselves.”
National Highlights: Between Justice and Politics
The issue summarizes current events in Croatia with Valentina’s usual clarity:
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The Norac trial continues to divide the public, revealing deep scars over justice and loyalty.
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Prime Minister Ivica Račan’s coalition faces criticism for slow reforms and political infighting.
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Veterans’ protests persist, though Church leaders urge restraint and reconciliation.
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Economic hardship deepens, particularly in rural regions, prompting migration to cities or abroad.
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The Church calls for unity ahead of the beatification of Cardinal Stepinac’s contemporaries, reminding Croatians that holiness often begins in humility.
“Our homeland is learning that freedom without truth is only another form of captivity.”
Community Life in Canada
Across Ontario and the Croatian diaspora, spring brought renewal and pride:
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The Croatian Martyrs Parish in Mississauga hosted Easter celebrations attended by record crowds, with Father Ivica Lozić emphasizing forgiveness and hope.
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Folklore groups and language schools in Hamilton, Oakville, and Kitchener prepared year-end showcases, proving cultural roots remain strong across generations.
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Humanitarian collections for war widows and displaced families in Dalmatia continued under the guidance of Bedem Ljubavi Toronto.
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A youth discussion series titled “What It Means to Be Croatian in Canada” was announced, seeking to connect younger generations with their heritage.
Valentina highlights these activities as evidence that, though far from home, Croatians abroad keep the nation’s moral flame alive.
“Every act of charity is a form of patriotism.”
Health Column: “The Power of Positive Thinking”
Dr. Darko Desaty shifts focus from physical ailments to mental wellness. He explains how optimism influences heart health, immunity, and longevity, grounding his insights in both medical research and common sense.
“A smile can be as healing as medicine—and much easier to swallow.”
He encourages readers to practice gratitude, balance work with rest, and surround themselves with people who uplift rather than drain.
Faith and Reflection: “The Road to Emmaus”
The spiritual reflection for this issue draws on the Gospel story of the disciples who failed to recognize Christ on the road to Emmaus. Valentina connects it to modern life:
“We too often walk beside truth without seeing it.”
She reminds readers that renewal begins in awareness—seeing goodness, even when it hides behind disappointment or daily fatigue.
“Faith is not a feeling; it is the decision to keep walking even when you do not yet see the light.”
Closing Words
Valentina closes Iskra No. 81 with a blend of realism and tenderness:
“Croatia is still searching for itself. But so are we. Let us search together—with honesty, patience, and the quiet strength that built us once before.”
