CROATIA-Dobro Dan!!!!

 I remember the very first time I met my dear Croatian friends Petra and Maria. It was almost 20 years ago in Columbia, MD. Within the first few minutes of meeting Petra in my physician's office, I knew by her outgoing and very friendly nature, we would  soon become friends. When I was invited to her house for the first time I got to meet her equally lovely sister Maria, and brother Ivan. They welcomed me like family. I soon learned that family, friends, food, and fun were at the very core of their beautiful Croatian culture. From the  traditional Croatian dance they performed for us to the delicious food they cooked, I was in awe! I loved hearing the stories they told of their family from Krk and the rich history of what their country has been through. They are definitely a strong family in many ways!

The girls and I have learned in our studies this week that family is still the basis of the social structure in Croatia. The extended family is the norm and relatives remain quite close with both the mother and the father’s sides. The family provides its members with a social network and assistance in times of need. Even though it is becoming increasingly common for the nuclear family to have its own house, Croatians will take in elderly parents rather than send them to a nursing home. Weekends are considered family time. Few Croatians will allow business concerns to interfere with this important part of their lives.

Croats are extremely proud of their heritage and culture and are thus staunch nationalists. They call their country "Our Beautiful Homeland" ("Lijepa naša"), which is also the title of the national anthem.
The sense of nationalism comes both from their long and rich culture as well as a legacy of foreign invasion and control.
Folklore plays a key role in preserving the culture. Life experiences are translated into verse, poetic songs, melodies, fairy tales, symbolic rituals, music, dance, costumes, and jewelry. Folksongs and poems often attest to the sentiment and regard between family members.

The Catholic Church plays a large role in Croatian society. Historically, the clergy played a pivotal role in the country’s education and culture. Under Communist rule The Church had difficult relations with the authorities, constantly remaining loyal to Rome. Between 1945 and 1952, many priests were shot or imprisoned.
After communism was defeated, the church slowly started to re-create its once prominent role in people’s lives. Croatians are especially devoted to the Blessed Virgin (called "Gospa"). There are sanctuaries throughout the country built in her honor. Each village and town has a patron saint and that saint's feast day is celebrated with a procession and church ceremony. Some villages still have a traditional bonfire on their patron saints’ day. Many professionals also have their own patron saint.

The majority of the population are Croats. Minorities include Serbs, Hungarians and Gypsies. The population is predominantly Roman Catholic, although there are Christian Orthodox, Muslim, and Jewish minorities, mostly living in the capital Zagreb.

 



Sources:http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/globaletiquette/croatia.html, http://www.croatianculture.org/portal/