President Milanović: Zagreb is a historical, territorial and cultural synthesis of Croatian identity

“Zagreb is unique as our Croatian capital, a synthesis of seemingly irreconcilable differences. It emerged as the capital of a small nation — itself a political project, an intellectual and emotional aspiration shared by a group of people, not all of whom were necessarily Croats. It is a city far removed from many of the influences that flowed into it, a city that remained small throughout much of its history and, thanks to — and despite — that, always maintained a Croatian, Slavic majority. Then it began to grow, and throughout that growth it has never lost harmony with itself,” said the President of the Republic Zoran Milanović today at a ceremony held in the Old City Hall to mark City of Zagreb Day.

In his address, President Milanović said that, as a Zagreb native, he observes the city and notices its every detail. “I see Zagreb the only way the residents of Zagreb can see it: as the one and only city, as the city dearest to me, a city towards which I am unapologetically subjective, a city I will always stand up for. Its strongest and most famous club — which, I hope, will become even stronger once it gets a stadium — is a club I have never supported; I supported Hajduk. Yet I care deeply about its success. I want it to be strong, proud, a standard-bearer for everything embodied by Zagreb as a historical, territorial, dialectal and cultural synthesis of Croatian identity. That is what makes Zagreb unique, because among small nations of only a few million people, there are few with such diversity within them as ours,” said President Milanović.

“In that spirit, I support all your projects; they are my projects as well. I congratulate you on City of Zagreb Day, and may our Zagreb live forever,” President Milanović concluded.

Alongside President Milanović, those addressing the gathering included Zagreb City Assembly President Matej Mišić, Zagreb Mayor Tomislav Tomašević, and Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković. As part of the City of Zagreb Day celebrations, the city awards were presented to this year’s laureates by Mayor Tomislav Tomašević and City Assembly President Matej Mišić.

President Milanović was accompanied at the award ceremony in the Old City Hall by the Head of the Office of the President of the Republic Orsat Miljenić and the President’s Adviser for Local and Regional Self-Government Relations Nikša Peronja.

PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Filip Glas