President Milanović Receives Delegation from Slovenian-Croatian Friendship Society: “The Friendship between Our Two Peoples Must Continue to Grow”
The President of the Republic of Croatia Zoran Milanović today received a delegation from the Slovenian-Croatian Friendship Society, along with members of the Frankopan Cultural and Artistic Society from Bosiljevo and the children’s folklore group Oton Župančič Cultural and Artistic Society from Vinica. The reception was organized to affirm and strengthen the Croatian-Slovenian friendship that the Society has been actively promoting for over three decades.
“I am pleased to have the opportunity to host the Slovenian-Croatian Friendship Society and to support your work in this way. Since the founding of the Society more than 30 years ago, your efforts have contributed to the friendship and bonds between the Croatian and Slovenian peoples. Our two neighbouring countries, with a tradition of friendship and cooperation, and our two peoples, share many commonalities: a shared history, a common struggle for autonomy and independence, and economic, cultural, and scientific collaboration. The centuries-old friendship between our two peoples must continue to grow, especially today, as independent countries and members of joint international organizations. I am pleased to witness this shared friendship today, embodied in the ancient message of Green George, who reminds us that spring has arrived, bringing with it new life and new hope. This visit symbolizes exactly that – our wish and hope for even greater cooperation between our friendly nations and states,” said President Milanović.
During the reception, the children’s folklore group Oton Župančič Cultural and Artistic Society from Vinica and the Frankopan Cultural and Artistic Society from Bosiljevo performed a traditional presentation of customs related to Saint George and the arrival of spring – known as Green George. The Green George tradition is one of the oldest preserved spring customs in Bela Krajina, symbolizing the awakening of nature and a new beginning. Revived in 1963 in Vinica, this tradition has been passed down from generation to generation, and every year at the end of April, elementary school pupils bring spring and good wishes to the homes of locals with birch branches and songs, including those across the Kupa River in Croatia.
On behalf of the Slovenian-Croatian Friendship Society, President Mitja Lamut addressed the gathering, and Božo Dimnik, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Croatia in Slovenia, spoke about the importance of cooperation between the Croatian and Slovenian peoples.
Also present at the reception were Gašper Dovžan, Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to Croatia; Diana Dimnik, Vice President of the Slovenian-Croatian Friendship Society (DSHP); Peter Tevž, Vice President of DSHP; Vladimir Bilić, Vice President of DSHP; Robert Širnik, Member of the Board of DSHP; Alenka Tevž, Member of DSHP; and Ivanka Brezigar Stanič, Secretary of DSHP. Also in attendance were Andrej Kavšek, Mayor of the Municipality of Črnomelj; Josip Kasun, Mayor of the Municipality of Bosiljevo; and Mateja Babič, Head of the Municipality of Črnomelj, along with numerous business leaders from Croatia and Slovenia: Štefan Pavlinjek, Director of Roto Group in Murska Sobota; Jože Colarič, President of the Board of Krka Novo Mesto; Gordana Kalan Živčec, Director of Medico Veritas in Postojna; Branko Roglič, Director of Orbic in Zagreb; Urban Likozar, President of the Board of Elektro Ljubljana; Zlatko Klarić, Director of Vedra-Kor in Zagreb; Irena Lemut Čeh, Director of Laben in Ljubljana; Ivan Kralj, Director of Arex in Šentjernej; and Andrej Ribič, President of the Board of Dars in Ljubljana.
President Milanović was accompanied by Bartol Šimunić, Head of the Cabinet of the President of the Republic; Neven Pelicarić, Adviser for Foreign and European Policy; Melita Mulić, Adviser for Human Rights and Civil Society; Ivan Mutavdžić, Assistant Adviser for Foreign and European Policy; and Martina Ciglević, Assistant Adviser for the Economy.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Fiilip Glas