Was 2024 a good year for you? And have you made (or maybe already broken) your New Year resolutions?
As 2024 draws to a close, it leaves us with a tapestry of events that swung from the absurd to the profound. The year has been a kaleidoscope of human endeavors, marked by geo-political upheavals, unexpected alliances, and moments of collective introspection. From the highs of sporting triumphs to the lows of political melodrama, 2024 offered a compelling blend of the significant and the surreal.
World politics in 2024 resembled a theater where the scriptwriters had perhaps overdosed on caffeine. In the United States, the presidential election stole the show, with campaigns that felt more like reality TV episodes than policy debates. The candidates spent more time exchanging personal jabs than discussing actual issues, proving that some things never change. Europe, meanwhile, found itself wrestling with old ghosts and new dilemmas.
The war in Ukraine continued to dominate headlines, with sporadic ceasefires offering hope, only to be shattered weeks later. Yet, in the midst of conflict, there were glimmers of unity. Countries rallied to support displaced citizens, and grassroots movements reminded us of the resilience of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances.
Nature, as always, had its say in 2024. The year was a stark reminder of the planet’s unpredictability. Record-breaking heat waves swept across continents, while unexpected deluges left others reeling. Scientists’ warnings seemed to grow louder, and finally, some governments began to listen—or at least pretend to.
The Mediterranean endured one of its hottest summers on record. In Dubrovnik, days blurred together in a haze of sunscreen, cold drinks, and prayers for a mercifully quick sunset. Any chance that 2025 will have a cooler summer?
This summer heat, turbo-charged by global warming (yes, Mr. Trump that really exists), is starting to get way too hot for me the older I get.
Nothing brings people together—or tears them apart—quite like sports. The Paris Olympics proved to be a unifying force in a fractured world. Athletes from every corner of the globe reminded us what dedication, skill, and a healthy dose of competitive spirit can achieve. The Games weren’t without controversy—when are they ever?—but the sight of athletes sharing moments of camaraderie transcended political borders. If there’s one recurring theme in 2024, it’s the sheer tenacity of the human spirit. Whether it was communities rebuilding after natural disasters or individuals standing up against injustice, this year showed us that even in the face of adversity, hope endures.
As we bid farewell to 2024, it’s tempting to wonder what the next year will bring.
If history is any guide, it will likely be a mix of triumphs and trials, laughter and tears. But if there’s one lesson from this year, it’s that we are capable of navigating even the most turbulent waters.
So here’s to 2025: may it bring fewer headlines that make us wince and more stories that make us smile. And for those of us lucky enough to call Dubrovnik home, may it continue to be a sanctuary where the world’s chaos feels just a little bit further away.
Happy New Year to you and your loved ones!
Read more Englishman in Dubrovnik…well, if you really want to
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About the author
Mark Thomas (aka Englez u Dubrovniku) is the editor of The Dubrovnik Times. He was born and educated in the UK and moved to live in Dubrovnik in 1998. He works across a whole range of media, from a daily radio show to TV and in print. Thomas is fluent in Croatian and this column is available in Croatia on the website – Dubrovnik Vjesnik