The theoretical work and patents of Tesla, a Croatian of Serb descent who died in New York in 1943, form the basis of modern alternating current electric power (AC) systems, including the polyphase power distribution systems and the AC motor, with which he helped usher in the Second Industrial Revolution.
During the ceremony, a memorial centre in the village of Smiljan was opened by Croatian President Stjepan Mesic, Parliament Speaker Vladimir Seks, Prime Minister Ivo Sanader, Serbian President Boris Tadic and an envoy of U.S. President George Bush -- American Ambassador in Croatia Robert Bradtke.
The project of the newly-built theme park and the multimedia centre which includes the renovated home where Tesla was born and a monument, made by sculptor Mile Blazevic, cost 50 million kuna (6.8 million euros) and the funds for this purpose have been mainly ensured from donations.
UNESCO has declared this year as the Year of Nikola Tesla and his anniversary is being honoured worldwide. In Croatia, the national parliament declared 2006 the Year of Nikola Tesla.
Speaking about the importance of this anniversary, Prime Minister Sanader recalled that Tesla, one of the greatest men in history, was proud of his Serb origin and of having Croatia as his homeland.
Sanader reiterated that Croatia was now at the threshold of the European Union, adding that the project of Croatia's EU membership was a joint project of those who were committed to the same values: freedom, peace, human rights' protection, social and market economy, democracy and tolerance.
Sabor Speaker Vladimir Seks, who is the head of the national committee in charge of organising the celebrations of this anniversary, spoke about Tesla's inventions.
The know-how and applied sciences are a ground for the progress of the entire human race and Tesla showed it by his example, Seks said.
Stjepan Mesic also recalled how Tesla had said that he was proud of his Serb origin and his Croatian homeland.
In light of events that happened in this area in the last century, this famous sentence was topical then, too, Mesic said.
Mesic said that Croatian-Serbian relations were now finally normalised.
Serbian President Boris Tadic said that Nikola Tesla belonged to the world heritage as well as to Croatia and Serbia.
"Tesla was a man with great ideas and showed that individuals are those who move the world. He struggled against fascism and tried to prevent the war," Tadic said.
In this context, Tadic mentioned other famous men from the region who belonged both to the Croatian and Serbian heritage such as a Nobel Prize winner, novelist Ivo Andric, and a botanist, Josip Pancic.
The Serbian official, who also expressed satisfaction with the construction of the memorial centre, added that "we have a particular responsibility towards our citizens and peoples to offer new visions of our countries in the European Union."
U.S. Ambassador Bradtke said that Tesla's achievements were an inspiration for many generations.
We are bound to continue working in compliance with Tesla's tenets, the diplomat added.
As part of the celebrations, a polytechnic named after Tesla was opened in Lika's major town, Gospic, today, too.
After the ceremony in Smiljan, the top Croatian officials agreed that it was necessary to bring electricity to hamlets which still have no connection to transmission lines.
Admitting that some hamlets in Lika and eastern Slavonia still have no electricity or connection to natural gas supplies, PM Sanader said that this was not the legacy of the Croatian Homeland War but something which should be ascribed to the fact that Croatia used to be neglected while it was part of the Yugoslav federation.
Mesic and Seks agreed with Sanader that one of the government's priorities should be electrification and the establishment of gas supply lines in the areas in question.