President Milanović Decorates Meritorious Artists, Scientists, Businesspeople, Athletes and Associations

“Today, there are about thirty people and associations here that have been decorated for achieving measurable results. This is why they differ from all those who work, who give themselves devotedly in order to achieve some goal in the community of people we call society,” the President of the Republic Zoran Milanović said at a ceremony in the Office of the President, where he decorated meritorious artists, scientists, businesspeople, associations, athletes, sports managers and coaches.

“Every job, every human activity, if it is humane and legal, has its purpose, mission and goal,” added President Milanović, congratulating those who were decorated on their achievements, and telling them that many are still young enough, active and full of ambition for new achievements. “What we are rewarding today can only arise from ambition, personal human ambition, from which everything starts after all,” the President of the Republic concluded.

For special merits in the area of science, research, international relations and for extraordinary contributions to the reputation of the Republic of Croatia and its international standing, the Order of Duke Trpimir with Ribbon and Star was conferred upon Academician Ivo Šlaus.

The Order of the Croatian Star with the effigy of Marko Marulić was bestowed upon: Mihael Ferić and Martin Vuković for special merits and extraordinary contributions in the area of cultural heritage through the preservation and popularization of Croatian tamburitza music and the affirmation of traditional and contemporary tamburitza music; Vladimir Kuraja for special merits and extraordinary contributions in the creation and preservation of Croatian folklore cultural heritage at home and abroad; Slavka Pavić for special merits in culture through many years of amateur and artistic photography and for extraordinary contributions in the promotion of Croatian photography at home and abroad; Vesna Leiner for extraordinary contributions in the area of museum education, pedagogical activities, preservation and promotion of Croatian cultural heritage at home and abroad, and for special merits in cultural work and adaptation of access to museum premises for persons with disabilities; Alfred Krupa for special merits in the area of culture and for extraordinary contributions to the promotion of Croatian visual arts at home and abroad; Nicolas Raljević for exceptional achievements in the promotion of Croatian dramatic art and literature in the French Republic.

Ivan Klapan was decorated with the Order of the Croatian Star with the effigy of Blaž Lorković for extraordinary contributions to the Croatian economy and the promotion of the Croatian economy in the Republic of Croatia and the world.

Matea Jelić and Marin Čilić were decorated with the Order of the Croatian Star with the effigy of Franjo Bučar for extraordinary sporting achievements and for winning medals at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as for the promotion of sports and the international standing of the Republic of Croatia. 

The following individuals were decorated with the Order of the Croatian Star with the effigy of Katarina Zrinska: Prof. Dr. Željko Poljak for extraordinary contributions in healthcare and special merits in the development and promotion of health education opinion journalism; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Siniša Maslovara for extraordinary contributions in healthcare and special merits in the development and promotion of Croatian otoneurology and vestibular rehabilitation at home and abroad.                   

The Order of the Croatian Interlace was bestowed upon the following individuals: Academician Ljerka Ostojić for extraordinary contributions and special merits in healthcare and the scientific fields of anatomy and physical medicine; Prof. Dr. Robert Matijašić for extraordinary contributions and special merits achieved through scientific research work in the fields of archaeology, ancient history and Latin epigraphy of the Croatian area in antiquity; Rev. Dr. Anton Kolić for extraordinary contributions in promoting moral and social values through yearslong pastoral and social work in Gradišće, Republic of Austria, and for providing selfless assistance to displaced persons and the needy; Dejan Buvač for extraordinary contributions in cultural and artistic amateurism and preservation of the cultural heritage of Međimurje; Ana Lešina for extraordinary contributions and special merits in volunteer and humanitarian activities by providing selfless assistance and support to persons with disabilities; Branko Lulić for special merits in healthcare in the area of diabetology and yearslong extraordinary and successful leadership and advancement of the Diabetic Society of Split; Veljko Laura for extraordinary contributions to the sporting achievements of Croatian athletes at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and for the promotion of sports and international standing of the Republic of Croatia; Roland Robert Varga for extraordinary contributions to the sporting achievements of Croatian athletes at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, and for the promotion of sports and international standing of the Republic of Croatia.

Toni Tomas was decorated with the Charter of the Republic of Croatia for extraordinary contributions to the sporting achievements of Croatian athletes at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and for the promotion of sports and international standing of the Republic of Croatia.

The Charter of the Republic of Croatia was also presented to the following: to the company “Končar-Elektroindustrija JSC” for yearslong and extraordinary contributions to the Croatian economy and its promotion at home and abroad, on the occasion of the company’s 100^th anniversary; to the Croatian branch of the International Council on Large Electric Systems (HRO CIGRÉ) for extraordinary contributions to the Croatian economy and the promotion of the Croatian economy in the energy sector, and for the development of the energy sector as a major segment of the Croatian economy; to the Union of Czechs in the Republic of Croatia for its contribution to the development and promotion of the international standing of the Republic of Croatia through activities in the scientific, cultural and economic fields, on the occasion of the 100^th anniversary of its foundation; to the Scout Association of Split for extraordinary and yearslong contributions in promoting educational work with children and youth, as well as humanitarian activities, on the occasion of its 100^th anniversary; to the record label “Croatia Records JSC” for special contributions to the promotion of the music industry in the Republic of Croatia, on the occasion of the 75^th anniversary of its foundation; to Croatian Radio Valpovština for extraordinary contributions in informing citizens in the Valpovo area during the Homeland War, on the occasion of the 60^th anniversary of its foundation; to the “Tamburica” culture and arts society from Staro Petrovo Selo for special contributions in preserving customs, traditions and cultural heritage, and for the development of cultural and artistic amateurism, on the occasion of its 50^th anniversary; to the Croatian Physicians’ Music Society of the Croatian Medical Association for special contributions in the promotion of Croatian musical culture among physicians and beyond, through numerous guest appearances at home and abroad.

Mr. Nicolas Raljević gave a speech in which he thanked President Milanović for the decorations, saying that they were rewarded for their efforts, which have helped make Croatia a world-renowned country. “We hereby thank you with all our hearts. The recognition you have given us will undoubtedly further our ambition to do even more and better in order to glorify Croatia in the world. We will prove that we are worthy of the honour you have bestowed upon us,” Mr. Nicolas Raljević said on behalf of everyone who was decorated.

PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Ana Marija Katić, Dario Andrišek