President Milanović Bestows Order of Croatian Interlace upon Ilija Babić for Promotion of Education, Cultural Amateurism and Šokac Heritage

The President of the Republic Zoran Milanović has received today at the Office of the President a delegation of the Municipality of Babina Greda. On this occasion, President Milanović decorated Mr. Ilija Babić, a retired history and Croatian language teacher from the community of Babina Greda, with the Order of the Croatian Interlace.

The Head of the Municipality of Babina Greda Josip Krnić informed President Milanović about plans for the development of community infrastructure in the municipality, which include the proposal for using geothermal energy sources with the help of EU funds. He also informed the President about investments in the municipality, notably three foreign greenfield investments that should greatly stimulate the development of the municipality and raise the employment rate. Mr. Krnić warned of the red tape that investors continue to face in their efforts to obtain building permits.

Prior to the meeting, President Milanović bestowed the Order of the Croatian Interlace upon Mr. Ilija Babić for his extraordinary contributions to the promotion of education and amateurism in culture and arts in Croatia. Namely, Ilija Babić has been encouraging cultural and artistic amateurism in Slavonia for years and has contributed to the promotion of the Šokac heritage. During his many active years, he launched numerous events, including Večeri dr. Matije Bačića [Dr. Matija Bačić Evenings], which have been held for 44 years, and Konji bijelci [White Horses], a traditional event that has been held for over 40 years. He is one of the creators of the event Stanarski susreti, a co-founder of the Association for the Promotion and Preservation of Šokac Heritage Šokadija and is the lead singer of the men’s vocal ensemble Babogreci. He writes texts and poems in the local dialect and in 2004 he published the book Šokačka burgijanja.

Also attending the meeting with President Milanović, apart from the Head of the Municipality of Babina Greda Josip Krnić, were the President of the Babina Greda Municipal Council Tomo Đaković, Babina Greda Municipality official Kata Lešić, Editor of a radio show on rural life and farming Martin Vuković and Ilija Babić’s family members – his wife Marija, daughter Đurđica and daughter-in-law Mira.

Adviser to the President of the Republic for Human Rights and Civil Society Melita Mulić was alongside President Milanović.

PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Tomislav Bušljeta