SARAJEVO, Sept 28 (Hina) - The leading Croatian cultural society in Bosnia-Herzegovina called "Napredak (Progress)" celebrated the 100th anniversary of its establishment in Sarajevo on Saturday. The society is seen as one of pillars
in the preservation of the cultural and ethnic identity of Croats in Bosnia-Herzegovina in the past century.
SARAJEVO, Sept 28 (Hina) - The leading Croatian cultural society in
Bosnia-Herzegovina called "Napredak (Progress)" celebrated the
100th anniversary of its establishment in Sarajevo on Saturday. The
society is seen as one of pillars in the preservation of the
cultural and ethnic identity of Croats in Bosnia-Herzegovina in the
past century. #L#
At the central ceremony in the Bosnian capital, Franjo Topic, who
has been at the helm of this society since the resumption of its work
in 1990, said "Napredak" had always been dedicated to man and his
prosperity.
The society, established at the beginning as a fund for the
financial support to pupils and undergraduates, has grown into a
cultural institution whose importance goes beyond the border of
Bosnia.
At the time of its thriving, the society had tens and tens branches
and gathered over 20,000 members who worked on a voluntary basis.
This society financially helped the education of two Croatian Nobel
Prize winners: Ivo Andric (who won the prize for literature) and
Vladimir Prelog (prize for chemistry).
"'Napredak' has all the time been only positively oriented and
never attacked others... We have worked so that we have cherished
our values and never made anybody our enemy," Topic said at the
ceremony.
He proposed the construction of a multimedia centre of this
society, and called on authorities both in Bosnia and Croatia to
give back the society's facilities, which were nationalised after
the Second World War.
Croatian Ambassador to Sarajevo, Josip Vrbosic, relayed President
Stjepan Mesic's message for this occasion.
Mesic, who congratulates the Napredak leadership on this
anniversary, wrote that the society was a unique example of the
success and survival in frequently difficult circumstances.
The Croatian head of state commended the society for its dedicated
work on the preservation of the Croat national identity, respect
for others and the promotion of tolerance.
Sarajevo Archbishop Cardinal Puljic, who said he was proud of
'Napredak', promised that the Catholic Church would continue
supporting the society.
Present at the ceremony were high-ranking Bosnian officials and
other public figures.
(hina) ms