Thursday, 13 February 2025
Ivana Smilović

Ivana Smilović

Ivana Smilović – a senior journalist at The Dubrovnik Times. Born and raised in Dubrovnik, Ivana (or Smile as she is known to all) graduated Media Studies from the University of Dubrovnik. A book worm, coffee addict and want-to-be world traveller Ivana brings her unique local insight, connections and general optimistic and well smiley feel to the Times.

Email: ivana@thedubrovniktimes.com

Mayor of the City of Dubrovnik Mato Frankovic with his associates is having an official visit to the United States. As part of the tour through Port of Los Angeles, located in the San Pedro bay, Mayor Frankovic held a meeting with the Los Angeles Cruise Terminal Director Octavio Sanchez. The terminal is known as the World Cruise Center and is managed by Ports America, the largest individual port operator in the United States with up to 42 ports in its portfolio.

Director Sanchez explained the way of working and supplying a cruise terminal with an emphasis on innovations. In order to reduce the emission of exhaust gases, the system of supply of cruise ships with electricity has been introduced. After approaching the port, boats have the obligation to disconnect the engines and connect to the harbor electricity system, which is surely an example in which Port of Dubrovnik should go.

Sanchez expressed his willingness to help the City of Dubrovnik with his expertise and experience in the form of advice and instructions related to future projects to be developed in the Port of Dubrovnik.

During their visit, Mayor Frankovic accompanied by his associates Marko Potrebica, Zrinka Raguz and Marijeta Hladilo, visited the Los Angeles City Hall. On that occasion, a work meeting was held with the Los Angeles City councilor Joe Buscain, who as the chairman of the City of Commerce and Tourism Committee and the vice president of the Economic Development Committee is responsible for investments in the port area, especially for investments in the cruise terminal.

Teaser of the Croatia's Eurovision song 'Crazy' by Franka Batelic was published yesterday and it already has almost 200 thousand hits on Youtube. 

Franka, who wrote the song, will represent Croatia on the Eurovision song contest that will take place in Lisbon, Portugal this year.

Teaser lasts only for 26 seconds, but that seems to be enough for Eurovision lovers. Most of them are commenting that it sounds promising and interesting. Surely it was a smart move to release a teaser first, since everybody just can't wait to hear the full song now!

This year's Eurovision Song Contest will be held from May 8th to May 10th. Franka will perform in the second half of the first semi-final.

Franka follows Jacques Houdek as the Croatian representative. Houdek qualified to the grand finale of the 2017 contest, where he placed 13th with 138 points.

Malta has informed the European Commission about the abolition of the labor market access restrictions for Croatian citizens – Poslovni.hr reports. 

Although the deadline to do this is by the end of June, Malta decided to do it earlier.
This information was presented today by the Croatian president Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic and Maltese president Marie Louise Coleiro after the meeting at Pantovcak.

After Croatia joined the EU in 2013, the restrictions on Croatian workers, which in principle mean that they need work permits, were kept by 13 countries. After accepting the new member in the EU, every country has the right to introduce a transitional period of employment restraint in the principle of 2 + 3 + 2 years.

In practice, this means that the decision must be reviewed after the expiration of each of those periods. After the first two years of Croatian membership in 2015, eight countries have fully opened the labor market for workers from Croatia. The restrictions were then retained by Austria, Slovenia, Netherlands, United Kingdom and Malta. We’ll need to wait until the end of June to see what did other countries decide.

 

Dubrovnik City Walls are a must-visit attraction when you are in our beautiful City. There are always tips on how to stay hydrated, avoid the sun, wear comfy shoes, etc. during the walk, but we never thought of brining tips how to 'survive' walking the Walls during the winter and when it's snowy, mostly because the snow is really rare in Dubrovnik.

Yesterday, with low temperatures, freezing wind and snow flakes, we didn't think that anybody would leave the house. However, there were some brave tourists that took their chances and went up the Walls! They weren't frozen – even some selfies were made. It's understandable: nobody wants to miss visiting Dubrovnik City Walls! Snow just made the visit extra special.

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The State Hydro-Meteorological Institute has sent a warning about a cold front approaching and that can be health-damaging. 

The moderate threat of cold waves for the Dubrovnik region is expected on Friday, February 16th.

The weather is expected to change tomorrow, so there is a yellow warning for Thursday. Strong south wind is expected. You shoudn't only be careful about the cold – there is also a danger of debris flying around with a strong wind.

Dubrovnik rarely gets some snow, but maybe this cold front could bring some snow flakes to the city. They would make a great attraction, just like last year, when the snow covered Dubrovnik on January 11th. 

So, make sure to wear layers and dress for the upcoming cold wave, and if you can – stay inside.

 

CBS News has recently published an interesting list of ‘’the most heavily Christian countries on Earth’’ and Croatia was placed in the top 30 or more precisely – on the 27th place. 

-Christianity is the most widely practiced religion in the world, with some 2.4 billion followers -- one-third of the global population. The Catholic church alone has 1.09 billion followers – writes CBS, adding that the United States has the largest Christian population in the world, but not the highest rate of Christians per capita.

They made this list with the various census results, the Pew Research Center and other sources.

- Croatia's population is 90.1 percent Christian. More than 86 percent of the population is Catholic – CBS states.
The first on the list is Vatican City, followed by East Timor, Romania, Greece and Romania.

See the full list here.

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