Embassy of India

Zagreb, Croatia

An evening of Indian classical music on the occasion of the 75th Anniversary of India’s Independence Day, by Sarod Maestro Arnab Bhattacharya along with Tabla player Rohen Bose was held at the Ludbreg Castle on the 16th August. The event was attended by the Mayor of Ludbreg, Mr. Dubravko Bilić, and Ambassador Srivastava.

On the occasion of the 75th Anniversary of India’s Independence Day, Sarod Maestro Arnab Bhattacharya & Tabla player Rohen Bose enthralled the audiences at Dubrovnik Summer Festival on 14th August & Split Summer festival on 12th August

Ambassador Raj Kumar Srivastava hosted the National Day Reception on the occasion of the 75th Anniversary of Independence Day at Zagreb on the 17th August. Among the 150 distinguished guests were the former President of Croatia H.E. Mr. Stjepan Mesić, Mayor of the City of Zagreb, H.E. Mr. Tomislav Tomašević, and Member of the Prime Minister’s Scientific Advisory Board Dr. Dragan Primorac. The guests witnessed the Indian classical music performance by Sarod Maestro Arnab Bhattacharya along with Tabla player Rohen Bose.

On the occasion of the 75th Anniversary of Independence Day, Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav was marked with the enthusiastic participation of 100 guests in the Flag Hoisting ceremony on the 15th August. Ambassador Raj Kumar Srivastava unfurled the National Flag and read out Rashtrapatiji's message, followed by patriotic cultural performances which included a poem and performance of a song Har Ghar Tiranga.

Ambassador Srivastava, Mr. Kristjan Staničić, Director of Croatian Tourism Board & Mr. Subhash Verma, Global Consultant Tourism Hospitality Founder of Travel Wellness & Beyond presented their views in the special lecture "Development & specific features of India-Croatia Tourism" on the 8th of June at the Cultural Center Napredak in Zagreb.

Day of India was marked in the city of Novigrad on the 19th of June at Museum Lapidarium. The day started with a yoga session at 10 am and finished at 9 pm sunset with the opening of the Shakti exhibition by artist Ms. Kristina Kamala Babina and a Bharatanatyam dance performance by Bhakti Devi at Muzej-Museo Lapidarium. Ambassador Srivastava and Mr. Anteo Milos, Mayor of Novigrad attended the functions.

The 8th IDY during 01-21 June 2022 was marked with 75 yoga events

The final event of this chain of IDY 2022 75 events took place in the beautiful park Zrinjevac in Zagreb on the 21st June, with the participation of Mr. Josip Pavić, Advisor for Sport, Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Croatia, 2012 & 2016 Olympics Gold & Silver medal winner in Water Polo, MP H. E. Mr. Veljko Kajtazi, Mr. Svibor Jancic, representative of the city of Zagreb, Indian-Croatian friendship societies & support of Zagreb City

Place2go, International Tourism Fair 2022 on 9th April brought the feel of India at Arena Zagreb with Talk Show, Saree Fashion Show, & Bollywood dance performances.

A festive cultural program was held in Rijeka in the Hall of Culture "Yoga in Daily Life" on the 30th March, commemorating 30 years of diplomatic relations between India and Croatia and 75 years of independence of the Republic of India. The program was attended by Indian Ambassador Raj Kumar Srivastava, Mayor of Rijeka Mr Filipović, Mayor of Senj Mr. Tomljanović, Professor of the University of Rijeka Prof Jelenić, President of the CroatianIndian Friendship Society, Mr. Zlamalik and almost 200 guests in all. Traditional Indian wear and dance directed by Mrs Lakshmi Srivastava and Croatian folk wear from different parts of Croatia were presented with the performance of the Folklore ensemble "Zora" from Opatija. The singer Goran Karan also performed, and at the end, socializing and tasting of traditional vegetarian Indian and Croatian delicacies gave the perfect end to a memorable evening. 

Vishwa Hindi Diwas celebrations were organized on 28 March 2022 at the Indology department of the Faculty of Linguistics & Philosophy of the University of Zagreb with the support of the Embassy of India. Dean of the Faculty, Head of the Department, many professors, students of different years, and Indian community members participated in the 90 minutes long event where some original works in Hindi were presented along with a cultural program of songs in Hindi. As India is celebrating 75 years of its independence, Indology Department is also celebrating 60 years of its establishment.

Amb Raj Srivastava was received by the Croatian-Indian Interparliamentary Friendship Group Chairperson Mr. Veljko Kajtazi and members of the Group, Mr. Zvane Brumnić, Mr. Domagoj Hajdukovic, Ms. Martina Vlasic Iljkic, and Mr. Davor Ivo Stier at the Croatian Parliament on Thursday, 24 March 2022. They together welcomed positive and proactive developments in the bilateral relationship in the past few months despite the challenges of the pandemic in the fields of innovation, startups, ICT, businesses, technology as well as culture, education, and sports. As India celebrates its 75 years of independence as Amrit Mahotsav in Croatia, the Group expressed its support for the initiatives of India in Croatia (Embassy of India, Zagreb) in bringing the people of the two countries closer. 

At the inauguration ceremony,  Ambassador Srivastava opened the India Corner for the students of ŠPUD, Zagreb on 24/3/2022. The corner will be enriched with 75 books in the field of India's literature, philosophy, and culture. These books will inspire young artists to create new works and to express their vision of New India. The mentioned initiative is a continuation of the cooperation with the ŠPUD school, which already in January 2022 gifted 75 congratulatory postcards to the Prime Minister of India and to the people of India. 

At the 73rd Republic Day Reception hosted by Ambassador of India to Croatia, Minister of State, Ministry of External Affairs of India, H.E. Mrs Meenakashi Lekhi gave a video message to the Indians and Friends of India in Croatia and highlighted the strong people to people bondings between India & Croatia which was showcased in a diverse Indian cultural program by Croatian friends on the occasion.

Thanks to People of Croatia for the best wishes sent through 75 painting postcards by the young artists of Škola primijenjene umjetnosti i dizajna u Zagrebu - ŠPUD to PMO India on the celebrations of 75 years of Independence.

Premiere & 1st performance of the Croatian tour of “Indradhanush-Rainbow” brought by Terence Lewis and his group PARADOX was held in Samobor on 21 February 2022, followed by performances in Zagreb on 24 February and in Pula on 26 February. A dance training Workshop by Terence Lewis and the members of his group PARADOX with the students of the Silvia Hercigonja Art Dance School Zagreb was held on February 23.