Published: January 16, 2003
View the Original Newsletter: Iskra-117.pdf
About This Issue
Iskra No. 117 carries the weight of reflection and remembrance. Writing at the dawn of 2003, Valentina Krčmar offers both gratitude and grief — for the progress of the Croatian-Canadian community, and for the personal loss of her mother. This issue captures her at her most human: tender, honest, and resolute. Amid the pain of loss and frustration with division in the community, Valentina reminds readers of the importance of collective memory — “if it isn’t written down, it is forgotten.”
The edition also documents the challenges faced by the Croatian Credit Union, a source of both pride and discord within the diaspora, alongside celebrations of cultural vitality — concerts, folklore events, anniversaries, and charity efforts for Croats abroad. It is a record of a people who continue to build, despite setbacks, and of a woman who, even in mourning, remains devoted to truth and community.
Editorial: “A Year in Review and a Personal Farewell”
Valentina begins by inviting readers to look back on the past year — not through the lens of politics, but through the shared life of the Croatian community in Toronto and Mississauga. She reflects on the extraordinary dedication of countless volunteers and organizations that have shaped a lively cultural presence abroad: from folklore festivals and parish celebrations to charity drives and cultural anniversaries.
Her editorial also confronts painful realities — the internal strife within the Hrvatska Kreditna Zadruga (HKZ), and the loss of the Croatian language program at the University of Toronto, both of which she laments as deep wounds to the spirit of unity. “It seems our New Year begins with the loss of something so precious,” she writes, urging accountability and awareness.
She concludes the piece with cautious optimism: despite divisions, she celebrates the community’s enormous effort and hopes that one day, with “the stumbling stones removed,” Croatians in Canada might establish a heritage center — a home for their library, artifacts, and shared history.
Community News
The issue is filled with reminders of how vibrant the Croatian-Canadian community remains. Valentina lists dozens of events where Iskra participated or lent its support: the Lička prela, Christmas concerts, charity sales, and parish anniversaries. She acknowledges the dedication of societies such as Fond Slavonija, which sent aid to Croats in Argentina, and praises all individuals who continue to uphold the community’s name with integrity.
She notes, however, that the spirit of cooperation could still be stronger — that “a little more conversation and organization” would make all the difference. Her call to unity is as much moral as practical: “Each of you deserves thanks,” she writes, “for showing what it means to work for the good of others.”
National & Political News
The broader political context in Croatia mirrors a time of cautious hope. The government continues reforms aimed at joining the European Union and NATO, focusing on justice, education, and economic restructuring. Croatian diplomats in Canada express gratitude to the diaspora for ongoing support and invite them to continue strengthening ties between the two nations.
The section closes with heartfelt holiday greetings from the Embassy of Croatia in Ottawa, reminding readers of shared responsibility for the homeland’s progress and the memory of those who gave their lives for freedom.
Open Letter: “The Croatian Credit Union Affair”
A major feature of this issue is an open letter from Veronika N. Topić, who had been sued by members of the HKZ board. She publicly denies any secret settlement and describes how the case revealed troubling misuse of funds within the Credit Union. Her words are direct: “They withdrew the lawsuit because they were really suing themselves.”
Valentina’s inclusion of this letter — and the anonymous note that follows, lamenting the firing of long-serving employees — underscores her fearless commitment to transparency. It is a rare glimpse into the inner turmoil of a community institution that once symbolized shared dreams, now strained by mistrust.
In Memoriam
This issue carries profound loss. Valentina’s personal tribute to her late mother, Milica Horvat (1912–2003), is one of her most intimate writings. She recalls her mother’s roots in Sumartin, on the island of Brač, and the legacy of the Cvitanović family — builders, teachers, and healers. “With her passing, there are no more Cvitanović of her generation,” she writes, closing with Drago Ivanišević’s tender poem “Da sam ptica” (If I Were a Bird).
Also remembered is Vladimir Đurić, a lifelong advocate for Croatian independence and a valued contributor to Iskra. His death, Valentina notes, is a great loss for both the Toronto community and the Croatian nation.
Health & Wellness
The “Your Health” section offers practical advice on gallstones, a common winter ailment linked to rich foods and sedentary habits. Readers are reminded that prevention begins with moderation and diet, while modern treatments — including laparoscopic surgery — offer renewed hope for those affected.
Humor & Everyday Life
The final pages restore lightness through folk poetry and humor. A reprinted Kajkavian dialect poem, “Veronika Desinićka,” blends wit and history, followed by jokes about daily life, marriage, and politics — gentle reminders that laughter, too, sustains community.
Closing Reflection
Valentina ends the issue by thanking readers for their kindness during her time of mourning, expressing special gratitude to friends who honored her mother’s memory with donations to the children’s fund “Dora” instead of flowers. “Flowers fade,” she writes, “but good deeds live on.”
Her closing words are full of resolve: “We go on. My task — as woman, mother, grandmother, and editor — continues. Even when Iskra is delayed, know that it is born of love.”
