Preserved Memories of Pivotal Moments in Croatian History (1990)
The archive pages of the former printed Croatian Herald represent an invaluable treasure trove of documented Croatian history, particularly from the fateful year of 1990. These pages, carefully preserved, allow us today to return to the time when modern Croatian statehood was being written and when the identity of Croats throughout the world was being shaped.
Historic Elections of 1990
The most important event that Croatian Herald followed were the first free multi-party elections in Croatia. The pages of the herald bear witness to how the first round of elections was held on 22 April 1990, marking the beginning of a new era in Croatian politics. The Croatian Democratic Union under the leadership of Dr Franjo Tuđman emerged as the most credible political option, vigorously opposing Greater Serbian hegemony.
The election poster with the slogan “Let us decide the fate of our own Croatia” became a symbol of the Croatian people’s aspirations for self-determination. The election result was convincing – out of a total of 365 deputies in the Parliament, HDZ won 104 seats in the first round, and after the second round, held on 6 and 7 May, a total of 205 deputies or 58.4% of all elected representatives.
Awakening of Croatian Consciousness in the Diaspora
The archive pages of Croatian Herald are particularly valuable because they document how HDZ’s victory in the elections resonated among Croats in Australia. The Herald followed the awakening of Croatian consciousness among Croatian communities that had been exposed to anti-Croatian propaganda from Yugoslav institutions, embassies and consulates for years.
The pages bear witness to celebrations of Croatian victory in the elections and the establishment of an HDZ branch in Australia, as well as the arrival of a new editor, Tomislav Starčević, an established Croatian activist born in Mount Gambier in South Australia.
All-Croatian Day of Statehood
It is particularly interesting how Croatian Herald followed the celebration of the first ‘All-Croatian Day of Statehood’. Australian Croats did not waste time arguing about the date when Croatian statehood began, but enthusiastically accepted Dr Franjo Tuđman’s message to solemnly celebrate ‘as an All-Croatian Day of Reconciliation and Statehood the opening of Parliament into which legitimately elected Croatian representatives entered’.
Life of the Croatian Community in Australia
The archive pages reveal the rich social and cultural life of the Croatian diaspora. Here we find stories about the Croatian centre in Coober Pedy, which was built by the skilled hands of our opal miners. Despite harsh conditions – “where there is only sand and dust, and the terrain is very unstable” – they succeeded in building solid foundations and providing proper direction to that desired centre.
The Herald also followed sporting successes, such as the 15th European Athletics Championships, as well as the historic match at Poljud between Hajduk and Croatia under the Croatian coat of arms.
Religious and Cultural Life
The archive pages bear witness to important religious events, such as the opening of the Croatian Catholic Centre of Our Lady Queen of Croats in Tasmania on 18 February, when Archbishop Josip Pavličić and Monsignor Gabrijel Bratina, together with Croats of Tasmania, opened this important centre with a solemn Holy Mass.
Organisational Development
The Herald also followed the organisational development of the Croatian community, including the annual meeting of the main committee of the Croatian Alliance “Uzdanica” – Croatian Youth for Australia, held in Geelong. Better information, greater mobility and constant listening to the homeland enabled the organisation to keep pace with the times and Croatia’s requirements.
These archive pages today represent an invaluable document about key moments in Croatian history and the life of the Croatian diaspora. They bear witness to how Croatian Herald was a bridge between the homeland and the diaspora, transmitting important information and maintaining Croatian consciousness amongst compatriots around the world.
The preserved pages enable us today, when Croatian Herald is published online, to better understand the continuity of the Croatian publication and its important contribution to preserving Croatian identity through the decades.
