President Milanović tells decorated individuals in culture, sciences and sports: You are a source of pride to yourselves and society
“You represent a synthesis of Croatian society in one segment. You are not a homogenous group; you are outstanding individuals that represent a narrower scope of the pinnacle of achievement in what you do. You have been nominated with reason and will be decorated to my joy and satisfaction. Behind each and every one of you is a completely individual and unique story that cannot be fit into any mould. You are what you are – a source of pride to yourselves and society“, the President of the Republic Zoran Milanović told the recipients of decorations and recognitions of the Republic of Croatia in culture, sciences and sports, which he presented to them today.
The Order of the Croatian Star with the Effigy of Ruđer Bošković is bestowed on Prof. Janoš Terzić for extraordinary merit for his scientific work in the field of biomedical research on malignant tumours and an exceptional contribution to the advancement of Croatian science at home and abroad.
The Order of the Croatian Star with the Effigy of Franjo Bučar is bestowed on Slobodan Jurković, for his many years of dedicated coaching work in the field of Croatian women’s basketball, and a special contribution to achieving top results in national and international competitions and on Jurica Gizdić, for his many years of dedicated journalistic work in the field of national sports history, and a special contribution to the research of modern Croatian Olympism.
The Order of the Croatian Star with the Effigy of Katarina Zrinska is bestowed on Vlasta Vučevac-Gjurović for extraordinary merit in the development and advancement of palliative care in the healthcare system of the Republic of Croatia.
The Order of the Croatian Interlace is bestowed on Slavko Nedić for extraordinary merit in editing the music programme of the Croatian Catholic Radio, on the occasion of 50 years of artistic activity.
The Charter of the Republic of Croatia is bestowed on Josip degl’ Ivellio for special merit in the activities of the Croatian Choir Society “Slavulj” Petrinja, on the occasion of 30 years of conducting and artistic work, and to the “Josip Štolcer Slavenski” Choir Čakovec for special contribution to the preservation of Croatian musical cultural heritage, on the occasion of 50 years of activity. The Charter is awarded to the “Josip Štolcer Slavenski” Choir and is received by its longstanding conductor and Choir founder Dragica Karolina Šimunković and current conductor Senka Bašek.
Jurica Gizdić addressed the gathering on behalf of the laureates, and after thanking the President of the Republic, the members of the Commission for Decorations and Recognitions, the institutions that recognized their work, and the President’s advisers, said that today’s presentation of the decorations in their lives represents the culmination of their many years of work, effort, and research. “Today is a motivation for us to put even more effort because receiving a decoration from the President of the Republic is the greatest thing that can happen. Thank you for recognizing us and granting us this great honour!” Mr. Gizdić said.
In addition to the laureates’ family and friends attending the presentation ceremony in the Office of the President of the Republic, the nominees for the decorations were: university professor at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture of the University of Split, Ivica Puljak; vice-president of the Zagreb Basketball Association, Tomislav Zebić; secretary general of the Croatian Olympic Committee, Siniša Krajač; director of the Zagreb East Health Centre Jurica Kravaršćan; acting director of the Croatian Catholic Network, Zvonimir Ancić; president of the Croatian Choir “Slavulj” Petrinja Željko Crnković, and secretary of the “Josip Štolcer Slavenski” Choir Čakovec, Dejan Buvač.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Tomislav Bušljeta, Ana Marija Katić