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
The government plans to expand the list of products with regulated prices and will continue to focus on maintaining citizens' standards of living, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and Minister of Economy Ante Šušnjar stated on Wednesday during the parliamentary Q&A session.
"We will expand the measures for products with regulated prices, and the State Inspectorate and the Competition Protection Agency will play a greater role," Prime Minister Plenković responded to an inquiry from independent MP Nino Raspudić.
He reminded the audience of the measures the government has taken so far to combat inflation, including reducing the VAT rate to 5% for a range of products. "Almost no one notices this anymore," he remarked.
Inflation in 2024 was 2.975%, and it is estimated to be 2.7% for this year, Plenković added, highlighting GDP growth, public debt reduction, credit rating improvement, and increases in wages and pensions.
"Inflation is Croatia’s pressing issue. Over the last three years, Croatia has recorded rates among the highest in the EU, and we currently have the highest inflation in the Eurozone," Raspudić emphasized, warning that regulating the prices of some products will not stop the "descent into the abyss."
On this day 33 years ago, January 15, 1992, the Republic of Croatia became an internationally recognized state. Exactly six years later, on January 15, 1998, the peaceful reintegration of the occupied Croatian Danube region was completed, returning it to Croatia's constitutional and legal order.
Today, Croatia commemorates 33 years since its international recognition, a pivotal moment that solidified its status as a sovereign state on the global stage. On January 15, 1992, all twelve member states of the then-European Community recognized Croatia. Germany, along with the Vatican, played a crucial role in this process, establishing diplomatic relations with Croatia.
On the same day, Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Hungary, Malta, Norway, Poland, and Switzerland also recognized Croatia. Slovenia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Latvia, Iceland, Estonia, the Holy See, and San Marino had already done so earlier. By the end of January 1992, a total of 44 countries had recognized Croatia, with more following in the subsequent months.
International recognition followed Croatia’s declaration of independence on June 25, 1991, when both Croatia and Slovenia severed ties with the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and mutually recognized each other. Lithuania was the first country to recognize Croatia on July 30, 1991, despite not yet being internationally recognized itself. Iceland is remembered as the first internationally recognized country to extend recognition to Croatia, on December 19, 1991. That same day, Germany announced that its recognition would take effect on January 15, 1992, alongside the other EU member states.
The Vatican announced its recognition of Croatia on December 20, 1991, formalizing it on January 13, 1992. Vatican diplomacy had been at the forefront of international efforts to recognize Croatia since October 1991. Historians often highlight the pivotal roles of the Vatican and Iceland in championing Croatia's right to independence.
The Croatian National Bank (HNB) continues its numismatic series dedicated to the black lizard and is issuing a new silver coin, Black Lizard, with a denomination of six euros, HNB announced on Tuesday.
The silver coin is crafted using a high-gloss minting technique with ultra-high relief.
The coin's design features the endemic subspecies of lizard, the Brusnik karst lizard (Podarcis melisellensis melisellensis), an important part of the Republic of Croatia's natural heritage, which inhabits the islet of Brusnik, a geological nature monument protected since 1951.
The artistic design of this silver coin was created by sculptor Nikola Vudrag.
The Black Lizard silver coin is being issued in a quantity of no more than 400 pieces, and interested buyers can purchase it starting January 21, 2025.
The coin will be sold by the Croatian Mint, with an initial sales price expected to be around €253.79 including VAT.
The final price at the time of purchase will depend on fluctuations in silver prices on the open market.
Preparatory works are underway for the restoration of the Small Onofrio Fountain, with the project expected to last 60 working days.
The Society of Friends of Dubrovnik Antiquities has initiated restoration efforts on the Small Onofrio Fountain, as its current infrastructure is in poor condition due to corrosion and lime buildup, necessitating urgent repairs. The restoration will include thorough cleaning of the pipelines, replacement of damaged water pipes and faulty components, and a complete overhaul of the water recirculation system. Additionally, the water meter chamber will be reconstructed to improve access for maintenance.
Simultaneously, conservation and restoration works will be carried out to prevent further damage and preserve the historical and artistic value of the fountain. These works will involve replacing nozzles and restoring stone details, all performed under expert supervision and in compliance with conservation guidelines.
The main project documentation for the restoration and maintenance of the Small Onofrio Fountain was prepared by Studio Vetma arh d.o.o., led by chief designer Matko Vetma, and has received approval from the Ministry of Culture and Media, Directorate for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, and the Conservation Department in Dubrovnik. Construction and craft works will be handled by Građevinar Quelin d.d., while authorized conservator Ivka Lipanović will execute the conservation and restoration works.
A report by the Center for Information Resilience states that pro-Russian networks operated in two waves—following Milanović's victory in the first round and after his statements opposing potential Croatian involvement in the war in Ukraine. The report also notes that Milanović was portrayed more positively than Dragan Primorac. Domagoj Maričić, Assistant Director of Croatian Regulatory Authority for Network Industries (HAKOM), commented on the alleged involvement of Russian bots for N1 Television.
The report analyzed the behavior of social media accounts on platforms like X, Facebook, Reddit, TikTok, and others over the past month. Key terms included “Zoran Milanović” and “Dragan Primorac,” with the goal of uncovering a network of pro-Russian, anti-EU, and anti-NATO bots.
“What happened wasn’t alarming enough to influence the elections. No significant impact occurred,” Maričić told N1.
“We are not claiming that the information the Center for Information Resilience had is malicious or that those researchers acted in bad faith. However, given the circumstances, there was nothing to indicate an alarming situation that would warrant platform intervention,” he added.
He emphasized: “As far as we’re concerned, this story is over.”
“It is not HAKOM’s task to monitor the work of organizations conducting such research, especially if they are not registered as trusted reporters. Trusted reporters are those who, once the regulation is adopted, will have a privileged position with platforms, making their reports carry greater relevance,” Maričić explained.
Dubrovnik-based costume designer Zjena Glamočanin has been nominated in the "Best Costume Designer" category at the Irish Film and Television Academy (IFTA) Awards for her work on the film Kneecap (2024), directed by Rich Peppiatt. The IFTA Film & Drama Awards are often referred to as the "Irish Oscars."
Interestingly, the film features German-Irish actor and Hollywood star Michael Fassbender. Kneecap is also Ireland's official entry for the "Best International Feature Film" category at the 97th Academy Awards. Whether it will make the final list of nominees remains to be seen, but in the meantime, we’re keeping our fingers crossed for our talented Dubrovnik native!
Croatian airports recorded significant growth in November 2024, serving 17.2% more passengers than the same month in 2023, reaching a total of 418,000 passengers. Over the first 11 months of 2024, passenger numbers increased by 17.2%, reaching 12.7 million, according to data from the Croatian Bureau of Statistics (DZS).
Zagreb Airport topped the charts in November 2024 with 313,000 passengers, marking a 14.3% increase compared to November 2023. Over the 11-month period, Zagreb Airport handled nearly four million passengers (3.97 million), a year-on-year increase of 16.2%.
Dubrovnik Airport came in second for November 2024 with 52,000 passengers, representing a remarkable 35.8% growth compared to the same month in 2023. Over the 11 months, the airport served nearly three million passengers (2.91 million), a 22.3% increase, making it the fastest-growing airport in Croatia in 2024.
Split Airport ranked third for November 2024, handling 48,100 passengers—a 22% increase compared to November 2023. Over the first 11 months of 2024, the airport served 3.5 million passengers, securing second place overall, with a modest annual growth of 3.5%.
In November 2024, Croatian airports saw the most international traffic with German airports, followed by the United Kingdom and France. The number of aircraft movements (takeoffs and landings) also grew by 13.4% in November, totaling nearly 6,000 operations. Over the 11 months, aircraft movements increased by 12%, exceeding 133,200 operations.
Air cargo traffic also showed positive trends, increasing by 2.5% in November 2024 to 752 tons. For the 11-month period, cargo traffic grew by an impressive 21.4%, reaching over 10,100 tons.
This sustained growth underscores the increasing importance of Croatian airports as regional hubs for both passenger and cargo traffic.
According to a Mastercard study, Croatians take an average of five vacations a year. Winter holidays are especially popular, with one in four planning a ski trip. However, skiing is a luxury not everyone can afford, particularly for last-minute planners, reports T-Portal
Given the unpredictability of snow due to climate change, Croatian skiers seek high-altitude resorts. Italy and Austria top the list, with Kronplatz—aptly nicknamed "Croplatz"—being a favorite. Ski resorts in Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and France also attract their fair share of Croatian visitors.
For more budget-conscious travelers, Eastern Europe offers fantastic skiing at lower costs. Resorts like Jahorina and Kranjska Gora are increasingly popular for their affordability and quality.
Skiing enthusiasts are notorious for their dedication, but costs have skyrocketed. While early booking is a money-saver, many still plan at the last minute. Using a case study by kompare.hr, let’s break down the costs for a Zagreb couple planning a ski trip from December 30 to January 5, 2025.
Ski Passes
A must-have for any skier, ski passes grant access to lifts and slopes. Prices vary widely. Kronplatz and Nassfeld have the highest costs for seven-day passes, while Jahorina and Les Orres are more affordable.
Equipment Rentals
For those who don’t own ski gear, rentals can quickly add to the budget. According to rental listings, Nassfeld’s equipment is the most expensive, while Kronplatz offers better deals.
Accommodation
Last-minute bookings mean limited options and higher prices. Jahorina is the most economical, while Les Orres tops the list as the priciest option due to near-full bookings.
Travel Costs
Driving remains a popular choice for Croatian skiers. A petrol car with a 7L/100km consumption rate using Eurosuper 95 (€1.45/L) adds up. According to the Europe Toll Calculator, the cheapest option is Kranjska Gora, while Les Orres is the most expensive.
Bottom Line: Jahorina emerges as the most budget-friendly destination for this couple, totaling €1,434.38. In contrast, Les Orres demands nearly €1,000 more.
Ski trips come with additional expenses:
Though skiing can be expensive, early planning unlocks substantial savings. Many agencies offer competitive package deals for those who book months in advance. The earlier you plan, the more affordable and stress-free your trip will be.
So whether you’re heading to "Croplatz" or exploring lesser-known gems like Jahorina, preparation is key to enjoying the slopes without breaking the bank.