Sunday, 13 July 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

On Saturday, June 21 at 8 p.m., the “YUGO.LOGO – Graphic Identification in Yugoslavia” exhibition will open at the Gallery of the Museum of Red History in Dubrovnik. The exhibition is based on an online archive of the same name, which features over 400 symbols and logos from the territory of the former Yugoslavia, created from the mid-20th century to the 1990s. Together, they form a kind of “hall of fame” of some of the most important and prolific creators in the field of visual communications design.

The exhibition is curated by designer Ognjen Ranković, with collaborator Antonio Karača, and is co-organized by the Museum of Red History and the Croatian Designers Association (HDD).

Originally produced for the HDD Gallery in spring 2023, the exhibition has since travelled to dozens of galleries and museums in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Montenegro. It is accompanied by a printed publication showcasing the works of 142 Yugoslav designers. Their logos and graphic marks remain iconic and legible forms of visual communication—some still connecting manufacturers, products, and consumers to this day.

The exhibition also offers insights into the evolution of design ideas within the social and political contexts that shaped the rise and fall of Yugoslavia. It's particularly compelling when compared to today’s consumer-driven society, shaped by mass media and the digital revolution of the 21st century through platforms such as social networks, news portals, and other modern communication tools.

The exhibition will remain open until early September and can be viewed daily during museum hours, from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The exhibition is co-financed by the City of Dubrovnik, the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia, the Dubrovnik Tourist Board, the Croatian National Tourist Board, and the City Office for Culture and Civil Society of the City of Zagreb. The exhibition and discursive program of the HDD Gallery is also supported by Kultura Nova Foundation.

Cellist Ana Rucner performed her “Greeting to Summer” concert on Mount Srđ at sunrise, 5 a.m., continuing a 15-year tradition.

Despite the strong bura wind blowing this morning, the concert—held annually to mark World Music Day—once again filled every seat in the amphitheatre, which offers a breathtaking view of Dubrovnik.

Ana Rucner Welcomes Summer with Sunrise Concert on Srđ 1

Foreign company branches and domestic holding firms dominate the latest tportal list of companies in Croatia offering the highest average net salaries, based on data from FINA. The ranking includes only companies with ten or more employees, reports tportal

At the top of the list is the Zagreb branch of KT S.p.A., the Croatian office of the Italian industrial group Maire Tecnimont, which specializes in designing and building oil, gas, and chemical plants. With 28 employees, the company pays an average monthly salary of €11,684, several times higher than the Croatian average. KT S.p.A. is known for its long-standing collaboration with INA, particularly on major industrial and energy projects.

In second place is Cisco Systems Croatia, a subsidiary of the global tech giant, offering an average salary of €9,680 to its 18 employees. Cisco has operated in Croatia since 1998.

Third is D.Trading, part of Ukrainian energy conglomerate DTEK, owned by billionaire Rinat Akhmetov (also known as the owner of football club Shakhtar Donetsk). With strong business growth since opening its Zagreb office four years ago, D.Trading pays an average of €8,192 and partners with HEP, supplying coal and purchasing electricity.

Adris and Merck Also Among Top Payers

In fourth is Adris Group, with an average salary of €7,646 across 21 employees in its central management company. Adris owns tourism company Maistra, Croatia osiguranje in the financial sector, and Cromaris in aquaculture.

Close behind is the Croatian branch of Merck KGaA, the global science and tech company operating in 65 countries. It employs 34 staff locally, each earning an average of €7,045 per month.

Microsoft, Rimac, and SAP Round Out the List

Sixth place goes to Microsoft Croatia, with an average net salary of €6,949, followed by Velocity Global Croatia, part of a global workforce solutions firm, offering €6,779.

In eighth is Rimac Group, the holding company led by Mate Rimac, encompassing Rimac Automobili, Rimac Technology, and a 55% stake in Bugatti Rimac. The company has 16 employees with an average salary of €6,767.

At the lower end of the top earners list are the Croatian offices of SAP and Medison Pharma, the latter being a branch of the Israeli pharmaceutical company Medison.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first official visit to Croatia on Wednesday, marking a significant moment in the strengthening of bilateral ties between the two countries.

During his stop in Zagreb, Prime Minister Modi met with officials and explored opportunities for deeper cooperation between India and one of its key European partners.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Makes First Official Visit to Croatia 1

Photo - Narendra Modi X - @narendramodi

Following the visit, Modi shared a video recap of his time in Croatia on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), stating:

“Here are the key moments from my visit to Croatia, which will strengthen India’s relations with a key European partner.”

The visit is being hailed as a diplomatic milestone and comes amid India's broader strategy of deepening ties with the European Union and its member states. Although specific details of the meetings in Zagreb were not disclosed in the initial release, Modi’s gesture signals growing interest in collaboration across sectors such as trade, technology, tourism, and cultural exchange.

This historic visit lays the groundwork for future cooperation between India and Croatia—two countries increasingly aligned in global diplomacy and economic development.

A striking photo sent in by a reader shows just how much the landscape is changing in Kupari, near Dubrovnik, as one of the the long-abandoned hotels is being demolished. The “before and after” comparison captures the dramatic removal of the iconic but war-damaged hotel structure, which stood as a concrete relic of Yugoslavia’s resort era for decades.

Demolition began earlier this year and marks the first major step in the long-awaited redevelopment of Kupari into a world-class luxury resort complex. The site, once known for its grand tourist accommodations along the Adriatic, has remained in ruins since the Homeland War.

demolition works at kupari dubrovnik croatia 2

Construction crews are now actively working at the site, with visible progress and heavy machinery operating near the coast. The transformation of the area is being closely monitored by both residents and tourists, who have long awaited the revival of this picturesque bay.

The Municipality of Župa dubrovačka has issued safety warnings to tourists in the area, reminding beachgoers to obey barriers and signage while demolition is underway.

As the old is cleared to make way for the new, Kupari’s long-dormant shoreline is finally beginning to stir with signs of change—and high expectations.

Bollywood’s evergreen Shilpa Shetty, the 1990s superstar of Baazigar and Dhadkan, global fitness guru and one-time Big Brother UK champ, blew out her 50th-birthday candles a long way from home—on Croatia’s dazzling Adriatic stage. And in true Shilpa style, the Instagram feed got the front-row treatment.

First stop: Dubrovnik’s legendary city walls—better known to millions of TV addicts as King’s Landing from HBO’s Game of Thrones. Dressed in a cream power-blazer and shorts (and legs for days), Shilpa perched on the Iron Throne itself, flashing that trademark megawatt smile. Cue half of Bollywood swooning in the comments.

The birthday carousel rolled on with slow-mo strutting down the show’s stone steps, followed by an impromptu pretzel pit-stop—because even glam queens carb-load on holiday. One photo later and hubby Raj Kundra, sister Shamita, mini-me son Viaan and scene-stealing daughter Samisha had joined the frame, proving family photo-bombs are universal.

But Madam Shetty wasn’t done. Up next: sunset selfie (filter optional), a street-singer cameo, and a spray of Adriatic bling as she throttled a jet-ski with Raj hanging on for dear life. As if that wasn’t enough #vacaygoals, the actress-turned-wellness mogul hand-fed a herd of sika deer—sporting denim cut-offs, a white linen shirt and a sun hat that screamed “casual billionaire.”

The grand finale? A squad shot featuring friends, fam and that glow only a Mediterranean birthday bash can buy. Her cheeky caption: “Game of Sightseeing.” Nailed it.

So while King’s Landing is used to royalty, it’s not every week a genuine Bollywood queen rocks up, claims the Iron Throne and turns the whole city into her personal movie set. Dubrovnik, consider yourself officially Shetty-fied.

Those vacationing on Pelješac these days are in for a treat for all the senses. Until June 28, the Pelješac Flavours Festival will take place, offering local culinary specialties and, of course, the renowned wines that have made this peninsula famous far and wide.

As part of the festival, visitors can enjoy 20% off all wines at the Bezek, Dežulović, Grgurević, and Pelješki Vrhovi PZ Janjina wineries in Janjina, as well as at PZ Putniković in Putnikovići. A 20% discount on food and wine is also available at Konoba Feral in Brijesta, Antonio in Zamaslina, Kavana Janjina in Janjina, Konoba Testa in Sreser, and Mul 22 in Drače.

Foto arhiva TZ Ston 07

The warm-up begins tonight in Trpanj with the "Flavours of Pelješac" event, and from tomorrow, it's pure hedonism across the entire peninsula.

“During the Pelješac Flavours Festival, various entertainment events will also take place, such as the Brass Band Festival in Ston on June 21, the Feast of St. John in Žuljana and Hodilje on June 23, and ‘Flavours of Pelješac’ in Orebić on June 25. The event wraps up with the traditional grand Pelješac Feast in Drače on June 28,” says Bianka Jasprica, Director of the Janjina Tourist Board, the epicentre of this celebration.

In the past ten days, a total of 1,700 violations have been recorded within the Special Traffic Regulation Zone of the City of Dubrovnik, concerning breaches of the Decision on conditions for entry, transit, and exit of vehicles in the traffic-regulated zone within the city's protected cultural-historical complex and surrounding contact zone. Accordingly, Dubrovnik’s Municipal Wardens have begun issuing misdemeanor fines to businesses violating the provisions of this decision.

Reminder: The penalties for each unauthorized entry into the zone are as follows:

  • €260 for private individuals

  • €660 for individuals/self-employed persons or those engaged in other independent activities

  • €260 for responsible persons within a legal entity

  • €1,320 for legal entities

It is important to highlight that fines apply per individual entry, meaning that if multiple unauthorized entries occur in a single day, the total number of fines reflects the total number of entries.

So far, records show that nine businesses have repeatedly entered the zone without authorization. One company stands out, having illegally entered the zone 61 times while providing taxi services. This business will face a total fine of €96,380, broken down as €80,520 for the legal entity and €15,860 for the responsible individual within the company.

The City of Dubrovnik once again urges all road users to adhere to current regulations related to the establishment of the Special Traffic Regulation Zone. This initiative is part of a broader strategy for the development of a smart and sustainable city, and with this model, Dubrovnik continues to affirm its status as a leader in implementing modern traffic solutions in service of its residents.

A reminder: the adaptation period for local residents continues until the beginning of August.

The Voice of Dubrovnik

THE VOICE OF DUBROVNIK


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