President Milanović Bestows Grand Order of King Dmitar Zvonimir with Sash and Star upon Marko Grčić

The President of the Republic Zoran Milanović has bestowed the Grand Order of King Dmitar Zvonimir with Sash and Star upon author, translator and journalist Marko Grčić for his extraordinary contributions in the fields of literature, translation and opinion journalism through which he has enriched Croatian culture by strengthening its national and universal components.  

In his address at the award ceremony, President Milanović said that Mr. Marko Grčić is a renowned individual about whom little is known. “The part of the public that is not erudite, which you are a part of, isn’t really informed about Marko Grčić. It isn’t informed because that is the destiny of people of such calibre, strength and with such an enlightening role that you had in your long, very fruitful and beautiful life,” said the President.

“Marko Grčić’s contribution and mission is such that this is the least the Croatian state could do for him,” said President Milanović, adding that Croatia has only a handful of such people who are Mr. Grčić’s contemporaries. “We have yet to see from the generation that is coming and from the one that is maturing whether anyone will meet his match,” said the President, emphasizing that he is exceptionally honoured for the opportunity to perform today this small deed.

Thanking the President for the award, Mr. Grčić said that he sees today’s event as symbolic and as a glimmer of hope. “Unfortunately, we live in an atmosphere of a collective global health and war trauma in which the individual is worth less and less or is sometimes worth nothing,” he said. “When a man receives an award or a top national decoration as I am now, he can never be sure whether he is worthy of such an honour compared to others. And that is why I dedicate this medal to my late wife Desanka, and to my living and deceased friends and colleagues without whom I would not have achieved even this bit that I have achieved in my life. I am not sure if I deserve this high medal and I accept it as a gift,” concluded Mr. Grčić.

Attending the award ceremony at the Office of the President in the company of Mr. Marko Grčić were members of his family, his daughter Sara Zadravec, son-in-law Zoran Zadravec and grandson Marko.

The Head of the Cabinet of the President of the Republic Bartol Šimunić, Adviser to the President of the Republic for Foreign and European Policy Neven Pelicarić and Special Adviser to the President of the Republic for Culture Zdravko Zima were alongside President Milanović.

PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Tomislav Bušljeta