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
Unveiling Secrets: Dubrovnik Museums Present the Hidden Story Behind the Portrait of Marija Ghetaldi-Gondola
The Dubrovnik Museums, in collaboration with the Croatian Conservation Institute, opened the exhibition “A Look Through the Portrait of Marija Ghetaldi-Gondola” on Friday, November 22, 2024, at the Rector’s Palace. The author of the exhibition is Senior Curator of the Dubrovnik Museums, Lucija Vuković, with expert collaborators Ljubo Gamulin, Barbara Knežević-Kuzman, and Nađa Lučić from the Croatian Conservation Institute.
The portrait of Marija Ghetaldi-Gondola by Carmelo Reggio, created around 1812, was displayed in the permanent exhibition in the Music Room of the Cultural-Historical Museum at the Rector’s Palace. A crack was noticed on the portrait, and in 2023, as one of the particularly valuable items in the Museum’s collection, it was sent for conservation and restoration to the Dubrovnik Conservation Department of the Croatian Conservation Institute. During the specialists’ examination, an extraordinary detail was discovered: a dark outline of an eye in the neck area of the portrayed woman. Using a series of non-invasive research methods, a rare finding was revealed—an earlier painting beneath the painted layer. Beneath the portrait of Marija Ghetaldi-Gondola lies another female portrait, accompanied by a partially legible inscription identifying the portrayed woman: Frana Gondola, née Bona. This marked the beginning of unraveling an unusual story about two women and one family.
Thanks to the results of conservation-restoration works, it became possible to contextualize this piece and link it to the collection of portraits by Austrian painter Franz Xaver Span in the Cultural-Historical Museum’s Painting Collection. Archival and historical research uncovered and brought to light lesser-known details from the history of Dubrovnik’s noble Ghetaldi and Gondola families. In addition to the artworks, the exhibition presents the process and outcomes of the conservation-restoration work. At the opening of the exhibition, which can be viewed at the Rector’s Palace until March 31, 2025, the speakers included the exhibition’s author Lucija Vuković, Ivana Svedružić Šeparović, Head of the Service for Departments Outside Zagreb at the Croatian Conservation Institute, and it was officially opened by the Director of the Dubrovnik Museums, Dr. Marija Šiša-Vivek.
The exhibition texts were authored by Ljubo Gamulin, Nađa Lučić, and Lucija Vuković. The visual arrangement was designed by Lucija Vuković and Ljubo Gamulin, who also worked on the graphic design. The conservation-restoration work was carried out by Barbara Knežević Kuzman (program leader), Matea Bačić, Antonio Blašković, Ljubo Gamulin, Pino Gamulin, Katija Kovačić Karamatić, Nađa Lučić, Domagoj Mudronja, Hrvoje Smoljan, Alen Škomrlj, and Goran Tomljenović. The technical setup of the exhibition was completed by Paško Burin, Željko Ćatić, Mišo Lečić, Mišo Kukuruzović, and Ivan Mladošić.
The exhibition was realized in collaboration with the Croatian Conservation Institute, with the support of the City of Dubrovnik and the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia.
In a move that defies the modern trend of managerial short stints, Pep Guardiola has extended his stay at Manchester City for another two years, keeping him at the club until at least the summer of 2027. The Catalan coach, who joined City in 2016, is already in his ninth season with the Premier League champions—a tenure few would have imagined when he first arrived at the Etihad.
"Manchester City means so much to me. This is my ninth season. We’ve shared incredible moments and many celebrations together. I have a very special connection with this club," Guardiola said. "That’s why I’m so happy to stay for another two seasons."
The announcement cements Guardiola’s legacy as one of City’s greatest managers, having transformed the club into a dominant force in English and European football.
Croatian Duo Secure Futures Under Guardiola
The contract extension also bodes well for City’s Croatian stars Joško Gvardiol and Mateo Kovačić, whose roles in Guardiola’s squad have been pivotal. Gvardiol, one of the most promising young defenders in the game, is reportedly set to be offered an enhanced deal worth £150,000 per week, further demonstrating the club’s faith in his potential.
Kovačić, who was rumoured to be considering a move to Saudi Arabia, now looks set to remain at City. The midfielder has become a key figure in Guardiola’s system since his arrival, and the manager’s continued presence appears to have ended any speculation about his departure—for now.
A Legacy of Excellence
Guardiola’s record at Manchester City speaks volumes. Across 490 matches, he has guided the team to 360 victories, 60 draws, and 70 defeats, scoring 1,239 goals and conceding just 446. His sides have averaged an extraordinary 2.23 points per match, a testament to the tactical innovation and consistency he has brought to the Etihad.
Under his leadership, City have claimed numerous trophies, including five Premier League titles, four League Cups, two FA Cups, and, most recently, their first Champions League title.
Building Towards the Future
Guardiola’s extension ensures continuity at a time when football often feels increasingly transient. With young talents like Gvardiol in the squad and experienced leaders like Kovačić, City’s future under Guardiola looks as secure as ever.
The decision also highlights Guardiola’s satisfaction with the club’s long-term vision. While his tenure already marks a historic chapter in City’s history, the extended deal promises to add further layers to his legacy in Manchester.
For a manager who has often expressed a desire for fresh challenges, Guardiola’s commitment speaks volumes about the bond he has built with Manchester City and the unrelenting ambition he brings to the Etihad dugout.
Budget airline easyJet has announced the addition of a new seasonal summer route connecting Liverpool and Split for 2025. The service will run twice weekly, with flights scheduled on Mondays and Fridays, from June 9 through October 24. Tickets for the route are now available on the airline’s website, reports EX-YU Aviation.
This move strengthens easyJet's presence in Split, where it is already the largest carrier by capacity. For the 2023 season, the airline accounted for 19.5% of all available seats, solidifying its role as a key player in connecting Croatia's second-largest city to Europe. The addition of Liverpool marks the airline’s fifteenth destination from Split, further enhancing its network in the Adriatic region.
Passengers can expect convenient options for exploring the vibrant Croatian coastline or Liverpool's cultural landmarks during the peak travel season. For more details on the flight schedule and booking, visit easyJet’s official website.
By increasing its footprint in Split, easyJet continues to play a major role in facilitating tourism and travel to one of the Mediterranean’s most sought-after destinations.
The Croatian government has officially scheduled the country’s eighth presidential election since independence for Sunday, 29 December. The decision takes effect on 28 November, opening the window for candidates to collect the required signatures to secure a place on the ballot, reports N1.
Signature Collection Begins
Candidates vying for the presidency must collect 10,000 signatures from eligible Croatian voters aged 18 or older. The process starts at midnight on 29 November and lasts 12 days. Both party-backed and independent candidates must adhere to the same rules, and voters may only support one candidate.
Signatures must be gathered on official forms provided by the State Electoral Commission (DIP) and submitted before the deadline. The DIP will then have 48 hours to verify the signatures and announce the final list of candidates.
Election Timeline and Media Rules
The official campaign period will run from 13 December until midnight on 28 December. After this point, a 24-hour media blackout will begin, prohibiting all forms of electioneering and the publication of polls or projections.
If no candidate secures more than 50% of the vote in the first round, a runoff election between the top two candidates will take place on 12 January.
“We chose 29 December for the first round to avoid the second round coinciding with the holiday season,” Prime Minister Andrej Plenković explained, addressing why the government opted against an earlier date.
The Candidates
The presidential race currently has 12 declared candidates, including incumbent President Zoran Milanović, who is seeking re-election. Other prominent contenders include independent candidate Dragan Primorac, supported by the ruling HDZ party; Miro Bulj of the Most party; and Ivana Kekin, the Mozemo party’s nominee.
The field also features lawyer and historian Tomislav Jonjić, entrepreneur Niko Tokić-Kartelo, and former journalist Anton Filić. Among the female candidates are Branka Lozo of the newly founded DOMiNO party and independent Aurora Weiss.
Croatians to Vote Worldwide
Croatian citizens will have the opportunity to vote in over 50 countries worldwide, up from 47 in the previous election. The election will determine the successor for the five-year term currently held by Milanović, which concludes on 18 February 2025.
With the campaign period approaching, Croatia gears up for what promises to be a competitive presidential race.
It is going to be a very wet and windy day in the wider Dubrovnik region as strong south winds have brought with them storms.
The Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service has issued an orange weather warning for thunderstorms for the south of Croatia and the city has awoken to torrential rains and foreboding grey skies. It will not be cold, as when the south winds blow the temperatures remain mild, and today highs will reach 16 degrees. But it will be wet and grey for most of the day.
The weekend should be a completely different story with blue skies and sunshine and more importantly no rain. On Saturday highs will be around 13 degrees as the wind direction changes to a northerly one, and then on Sunday around 14 degrees with some scattered clouds.
The Croatian government has announced plans to introduce a new construction law in 2024 aimed at simplifying building processes and tightening controls on unauthorized developments. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Physical Planning, Construction, and State Assets, Branko Bačić, presented the proposal in Parliament, emphasizing that the reforms will streamline procedures for family homes and larger residential projects.
The new law will overhaul the process of issuing construction permits, shifting criteria for notifying involved parties and allowing greater clarity for developers. Bačić also confirmed that the law will permit the legalization of buildings constructed before June 21, 2011, provided they meet certain criteria. "We want to make it clear that no unauthorized buildings constructed after that date will be legalized," he stated.
Empowering Local Authorities to Curb Illegal Construction
With fewer than 70 construction inspectors nationwide, the government plans to delegate enforcement powers to local communal wardens, who number over 880. Wardens will have the authority to halt illegal construction, issue fines, and report violations to the courts. This move aims to address unauthorized building more quickly and effectively.
Bačić assured critics that communal wardens would focus on verifying permits and project documentation, tasks he described as straightforward. Daily site visits and heavy fines are expected to deter illegal construction, while local government budgets will benefit from increased penalties.
Offenses involving cultural heritage sites or protected areas will incur both misdemeanor and criminal charges, Bačić noted. The proposed law includes penalties for all parties involved in unauthorized construction, from investors to contractors.
The government will also propose new laws on spatial planning and energy renewal, signaling a broader push for modernization in Croatia’s construction sector.
Croatia will go to vote in Presidential elections between Chritmas and the New Year.
Prime Minister Andrej Plenković has announced that the government will decide on Thursday to call the presidential election, which will take place on Sunday, December 29.
Regarding the presidential election, Plenković reassured citizens: "As I said, the election will not be held on Christmas or Boxing Day, so everyone can plan their activities accordingly."
The Voice of Dubrovnik
