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
A truck carrying ten tons of mandarins from Opuzen arrived in Vukovar at the end of this week.
The Prefect of Dubrovnik-Neretva County, Nikola Dobroslavić, handed over the mandarins to Franjo Orešković, the Deputy Prefect currently serving as the Prefect of Vukovar-Srijem County.
'This is a goodwill gift symbolizing friendship and partnership with Vukovar-Srijem County in Croatia's far east. During the Homeland War, we shared a similar fate, and today we cooperate with Vukovar-Srijem County in many fields,' said Prefect Dobroslavić.
'Although we are Croatia’s two most distant counties, we are very close when it comes to being humane,' said Orešković, who presented Prefect Dobroslavić with a plaque from Vukovar-Srijem County in recognition of 15 years of mandarin donations.
The donation was forwarded to Caritas of the Vukovar Deanery, which supports a large number of those in need in the Vukovar-Srijem County area.
Today, the 1st of November, Croatia observes All Saints' Day, a public holiday dedicated to honoring saints and loved ones who have passed.
Families across the country visit cemeteries, lighting candles and placing flowers in remembrance.
Many are enjoying a long weekend to spend time with family and friends, paying respects and appreciating the extra rest. As one of Croatia’s most solemn holidays, All Saints' Day sees cities and towns quiet as people gather for reflective, meaningful moments.
Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) is set to introduce new seasonal routes from Zurich to Dubrovnik during the 2025 summer season. The Zurich-Dubrovnik route, previously operated by SWISS’s subsidiary Edelweiss, will now run up to five times per week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Starting April 17, flights will be operated on a 112-seat Embraer E190 aircraft leased from Helvetic Airways, a well-suited aircraft for this short-haul service.
SWISS previously served Dubrovnik seasonally from Geneva in 2019, 2021, and 2022, highlighting the city’s growing popularity among Swiss travelers. The new routes signify SWISS’s commitment to enhancing connections to the Adriatic coast and the Balkan region, catering to both holiday travelers and those exploring southeastern Europe.
The Mayor of Dubrovnik, Mato Franković, welcomed the new Irish Ambassador to Croatia, H.E. Wendy Dorman-Smith, on her inaugural visit.
In welcoming her, Mayor Franković introduced Ambassador Dorman-Smith to the history, culture, landmarks, and unique features of Dubrovnik. He also informed her about the tradition of honoring St. Blaise, extending an invitation to the ambassador to attend the celebration.
During their conversation, they discussed the similarities between the two countries, noting the Croatian community in Ireland and the popularity of Dubrovnik among Irish tourists as significant connections. Ambassador Dorman-Smith expressed her pleasure in visiting Dubrovnik, and both parties agreed on a desire for future cooperation.
Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1995, and Ambassador Dorman-Smith assumed her post in August of this year.
The Croatian Water Polo Association began shooting its 2025 calendar at ACI Marina Opatija, with additional sessions planned at ACI marinas in Split and Dubrovnik. Celebrating the country's vibrant sports culture and stunning nautical destinations, this year’s calendar shoot features prominent water polo players Konstantin Kharkov, Luka Bukić, Franko Lazić, and Matias Biljaka, all captured by acclaimed fashion photographer Šime Eškinja.
The collaboration between ACI, the Mediterranean's largest marina network, and Croatia's most successful team sport reflects years of shared achievements. Adriana Mišković, ACI's Head of Corporate Communications, expressed pride in hosting the shoot, emphasizing the natural synergy between ACI’s nautical appeal and the water polo players. "By supporting the calendar, we celebrate the athletes while promoting our marinas as premier destinations," Mišković added.
Alongside the calendar shoot, the athletes discussed their experiences from the recent Paris Olympic Games and reflected on upcoming club commitments. Their achievements, including recent gold at the World Championships in Doha and silver at both the European Championships in Zagreb and the Olympics, underscore the strong connection between Croatian sports and ACI's support.
This edition of the calendar will feature 18 national team players from recent championships, making it highly anticipated among fans. Ivana Janković, Head of Marketing and Public Relations for the Croatian Water Polo Association, noted that demand grows yearly, with a pre-order option available through the HVS web shop for the first time.
Reflecting the calendar’s evolving themes, Eškinja shared that this year’s shoot focuses on showcasing Croatia's scenic marinas and that the details will be revealed when the calendar is released. Through their collaboration, ACI and the Croatian Water Polo Association continue to highlight Croatian sports and heritage, celebrating excellence both on the water and along the Adriatic.
Zoran Đukić has been nominated for the Grand Prize of the Croatian Designers Association at the Croatian Design Exhibition 23/24!
Đukić’s design was nominated for the visual identity of the 74th and 75th Dubrovnik Summer Festival by a selection committee consisting of Sarah Baron Brljević, Lana Cavar, Lana Grahek, Sven Jonke, Maša Milovac, Sean Poropat, and Gala Marija Vrbanić.
His visual identity combines creativity with the distinctive elegance that characterizes the Dubrovnik Summer Festival.
The exhibition "Dubrovnik and UNESCO," held in the Rector’s Palace as part of the celebration of the "Year of UNESCO World Heritage in Dubrovnik," has been extended until November 3, 2024. Organized by the Dubrovnik Museums and the State Archives in Dubrovnik, the exhibition showcases valuable archival materials from the period of the Republic of Dubrovnik (1022–1808), which were added to UNESCO’s "Memory of the World" list at the end of 2023. The exhibition also features items from the rich collections of Dubrovnik Museums, divided into seven thematic sections: the Feast of St. Blaise, Patron of Dubrovnik; Croatian Lacemaking; Klapa Singing; Mediterranean Diet of the Croatian Adriatic, its coastline, islands, and part of the hinterland; the Art of Dry-Stone Walling; Falconry; and Transhumance – Seasonal Livestock Migration.
In 1278, the Republic of Dubrovnik established a permanent notary service that recorded all daily trade, sales, marriage, and other contracts, as well as various certificates, wills, and everyday activities of both the common people and the nobility until the Republic’s abolition in 1808. The records preserved in the State Archives in Dubrovnik serve as a rich historical resource, allowing for an in-depth study of Dubrovnik’s past and the daily lives of its former inhabitants, while also offering insights into the city’s legal and governmental organization.
The project leader and exhibition concept author is museum advisor Ivona Michl. The visual setup, along with Ivona Michl, was designed by Željko Ćatić, with graphic design by Studio m&m, multimedia by Studio Beluga, Pixel Design, and Vizir, while Marin Kaporelo curated the music. The materials on display were also loaned by the City of Dubrovnik, the Collegiate Church of St. Blaise, the Natural History Museum Dubrovnik, Teo Grbić, Krešimir Magdić, and Matko Vierda.
As of September, Croatian household deposits reached €38.7 billion, growing by €900 million year-on-year. According to the Croatian National Bank (HNB), term deposits increased significantly, with an added €2.2 billion compared to September last year, while overnight deposits decreased by €1.3 billion. However, HNB analysts do not expect the rise in term deposits to continue, citing factors like interest rate changes, households' preference for liquidity, and the availability of alternative investments.
In October 2023, a rise in average interest rates on term deposits led to an initial shift from overnight to term deposits. Despite higher rates in some banks, depositors soon exhibited "deposit stickiness," choosing to keep funds with their regular banks instead of moving to higher-rate options. As of mid-2024, term deposits account for roughly 29% of total deposits, a stable level expected to continue.
“People's” treasury bills and government bonds, which raised €4.7 billion across six issuances, have emerged as key alternatives to term deposits. With the European Central Bank likely to continue lowering interest rates, HNB experts predict no substantial increase in the term deposit share moving forward.