President Milanović at Croatian Writers Society celebration: There are no greater individualists than writers
The President of the Republic attended this evening a celebration marking two decades of the existence of the Croatian Writers Society.
“There are no greater individualists than writers. I am pleased that this kind of efforts exist, that you dedicate yourselves to a domain where there are no fees, no rewards and no money. We like to be critical, haughty and complacent when we talk about the cold west, the Protestant culture, about how selfish and self-centered they are. However, as a society, we are a selfish society when it comes to volunteering. In Croatia very few people volunteer their time and as a rule just mind their business”, President Milanović stated in his address underlining that Croats are only merciful, spontaneous and give of themselves when donating blood.
“It seems terrible and so little, perhaps because there are alternatives. My childhood was playful, hurried, but there was also a lot of reading. This was the foundation of our universe, which I live to this day. I wish you all the best and that you earn some euro because not everything could be on a volunteer basis”, the President noted, calling on the Ministry and City officials. “I know there is sensibility. It is very important and who is at the head is important”, President Milanović said in concluding his address.
The Croatian Writers Society is one of the leading artistic societies that contributes to the quality, vibrancy and diversity of the cultural life of the City of Zagreb and the Republic of Croatia, promoting the best literatures in the region and in the world. Among 355 members of the Society the most prominent are Croatian prose writers, poets, playwrights, critics, literary theorists and essayists, recipients of numerous domestic and global awards, whose works have been translated into many foreign languages.
Speaking at the 20th anniversary celebration of the Croatian Writers Society in addition to President Milanović were the president of the Society Zoran Ferić and past presidents Velimir Visković and Nikola Petković.
Alongside President Milanović at the celebration was the Special Adviser to the President for Culture Zdravko Zima.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Marko Beljan