Thursday, 15 May 2025
Mark Thomas

Mark Thomas

Mark Thomas - The editor and big chief of The Dubrovnik Times. Born in the UK he has been living and working in Dubrovnik since 1998, yes he is one of the rare “old hands.” A unique insight into both British and Croatian life and culture, Mark is often known as just “Englez” or Englishman. He is a traveller, a current affairs freak and a huge AFC Wimbledon fan.

Email: mark.thomas@dubrovnik-times.com

Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser, also known as the 2Cellos, have just returned from London where they begun recording their fourth studio album which will be devoted to film music.

“It was great! What amazing sound and what a great studio,” commented one half of the 2Cellos Stjepan Hauser after returning from London. The ceiling in the studio is able to rise and fall, we could not believe it. On the set I had the opportunity to play on the Stradivarius cello which is worth millions of Euros and it was an indescribable feeling,” added Hauser.

The album was recorded with one of the world's finest orchestras, the London Symphony Orchestra, well known for their film music. One of the most famous music studios for film music in the world, Air Studios in London, was used by the 2Cellos with the London Symphony Orchestra.

The building was originally a church and a school but was converted in 1969 into a studio. A number of renowned musicians have recorded at Air Studios including Van Morrison and David Gilmour.

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Last week the European Parliament's Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety held a meeting on the implementation of the Waste Framework Directive and the Packaging Directive. The Committee enhanced the problem of non-compliance with waste management legislation in EU countries. All member states had to close existing landfills not complying with the EU Landfill Directive by the 16th of July 2009 unless they approved a "site conditioning plan" including technical measures in order to bring them in line with EU law.

''According to the decision of the EU Court of Justice Slovakia will probably have to pay a lump sum fine of 939,000 Euros and a daily penalty of 6,794 for the country's failure to comply with the EU directives regarding a landfill in north-western Slovakia. If Croatia does not comply with EU Directives soon by implementing a new plan for recycling and waste management the country will probably have the same scenario as Slovakia'', said Davor Skrlec the Croatian representative in the EU Parliament. Croatia is two years overdue with a new plan for recycling and waste management and Skrlec said it was the responsibility of Mihael Zmajlovic the former minister of the Ministry of Environmental and Nature Protection.

Skrlec added that two years time was lost in vain as well as the opportunity to use the money from the EU funds for the sector of recycling and waste management. ''Croatia shall be penalized with high sum fines unless the new plan of recycling and waste management has been introduced'', said Skrlec.

''According to the statements of Slaven Dobrovic the current minister of Environmental and Nature Protection the new plan of recycling and waste management in Croatia includes many of the elements of the new EU Circular Economy Package. That plan is also the last chance for Croatia to finally start treating waste as a resource that makes profit and opens new 'green' jobs'', commented Davor Skrlec.

While the football championship Euro2016 is the main event on French streets, on June 18th promo project 'The coast of Europe' started in Paris. In the last two days, in the organization of Dubrovnik Tourist Board,  Dubrovnik was presented. Klapa Kase was in charge for musical part of the presentation, while Sandra Milovcevic and Doris Milidragovic, employees of the tourist board dressed in traditional costumes from Konavle are giving the candies and promo materials from Dubrovnik.
First day of Dubrovnik presentation, Croatian pavilion was visited by representatives of the city of Paris Sanchez Ruivo and Jean Francois Martins, as well as representatives of the Croatian Ministry of foreign affairs.

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Croatia has won Group D at the Euro 2016 after defeating the actual European Champions Spain in a thrilling match in Bordeaux last night. Cheered on by thousands of fans in the “Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux” Croatia came from behind to shock Spain to win 2 – 1 and top Group D with seven points. Alvaro Morata scored for the holders after just seven minutes and it looked like being a tough night for the Croatians, however a goal from Nikola Kalinic just before halftime eased their nerves. Man of the match Ivan Perisic sealed the famous win with a counter attacking goal in the 87 minute.

The whole of Croatia was awash with colour and music last night as the country celebrated topping the group and progressing into the final stages.

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Whether the American fashion designer Marc Jacobs is a fan of the EURO 2016 or not, remains to be seen but according to some items of his latest collection it seems that he has been inspired by Croatia’s famous red and white checkerboard design.

The Croatian national football team is world famous for its jersey in red and white cubes apart from the great football masters on the football field like Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic, etc. Mercer Slip On Sneakers designed by Marc Jacobs look as if they have been specially made for the Croatian football fans but it could well just be a coincidence. However, coincidence or not the slip on shoe would look quite nice on Croatian fans at the European Football Championship in France whilst supporting their national football team.

On Tuesday the 21st of June Croatia plays its last match in the group against Spain and once again the Croatian footballers will have the opportunity to make their trademark even more famous. Who knows, maybe Marc Jacobs really is a fan of the Croatian national football team and as he was on Time magazine’s “2010 Time 100” list of the 100 most influential people in the world maybe he will make the Croatian team even more famous throughout the world with the red and white checkerboard design on his Mercer slip on sneaker.

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Viber has a new set of stickers named 'Summer Vipster', the cat that is a sort of mascot of Vip on this application. In this pack of stickers Vipster is all over Croatia and they are amazing if you want to send your family greetings from Croatia in a special way. The cat is taking selfies, sailing, diving, drinking famous Croatian vines and visiting towns like Pula and Zagreb and of course, our favorite: Dubrovnik. It's funny becuse Vipster in Dubrovnik is located on the throne, like in the Game of Thrones, with saying: ''I rule''.

Tonight you can experience an unforgettable beginning of the summer at the concert named 'Sentimento' in front of the Dubrovnik Cathedral at 9 pm.

The summer starts with the greatest arias, classics, evergreens and movie themes performed in the magical atmosphere of Dubrovnik by the most beautiful Dubrovnik voice, tenor Stijepo Gled Markos with special guest artist Nenad Bach, accompanied by Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra and Olja’zz Band under conductor Tomislav Fačini.

The concert programme will be enriched by special guest appearances of Nota Bene and French singer Anna K. Eaves.

Famous Croatian cellist Ana Rucner has again organised her Welcome to Summer concert at 5 am on 21st of June on the Srd mountain, keeping the tradition for five years in a row now.  This year she was joined by the British piano player Oliver Poole and together they made a morning to remember with attractive program and passionate melodies of Dvořak, Bach, Saint-Sains, Rahmanjinov and others. Oliver included the audience in the concert and many people have enjoyed the classical notes conncected with the summer coming. Ana and Oliver have also, in this way, marked World Music Day.

Special guests of the concert were Ana's friends from Sarajevo, Deen and Dalal with who she represented Bosnia and Herzegovinia on Eurosivison with the song ''Love is''. They called the audience to spread to love and make the world the better place.

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The Voice of Dubrovnik

THE VOICE OF DUBROVNIK


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