Croatian identity celebrated in Ontario: Two days of national pride organized in four acts

(Photo credit: Consulate General of Croatia in Mississauga and Walter Sudetic)

MISSISSAUGA / TORONTO – The Consulate General of the Republic of Croatia in Mississauga organized a two-day celebration marking Croatian Statehood Day and Croatian Heritage Day across Ontario from May 28 to 29.

The series of events included a tourism workshop, a formal reception, a flag-raising ceremony, and the iconic illumination of Niagara Falls in the Croatian national colors—reaffirming the presence, pride, and cultural strength of the Croatian community in Canada.

The celebration began on Wednesday, May 28, with a tourism workshop and business networking meetings between Croatian and Canadian companies from the tourism sector, organized in cooperation with the Croatian National Tourist Board.

(Photo credit: Consulate General of Croatia in Mississauga and Walter Sudetic)

Around 30 stakeholders took part, including Croatia’s Aminess hotel group and other reputable travel industry companies as well as Canada’s Air Transat, which operates direct flights between Toronto and Zagreb.

(Photo credit: Consulate General of Croatia in Mississauga and Walter Sudetic)

Later that evening, more than 250 guests gathered at Mississauga’s Civic Centre for an elegant formal reception organized in collaboration with the Canadian-Croatian Chamber of Commerce and the Croatian National Tourist Board, overlooking the city skyline.

(Photo credit: Consulate General of Croatia in Mississauga and Walter Sudetic)

Attendees included prominent members of the Croatian community, representatives of the Ontario government, diplomatic officials, and friends of Croatia.

Speeches were delivered by Croatian Consul General Ante Jović, newly elected Speaker of the Ontario Legislature Donna Skelly, Mississauga Deputy Mayor John Kovac and representatives of the Canadian-Croatian Chamber of Commerce and the Croatian National Tourist Board.

(Photo credit: Consulate General of Croatia in Mississauga and Walter Sudetic)

The cultural program added a rich layer to the evening, featuring performances and participation by Klapa Kartolina from Windsor, the ensemble Zvuci Hrvatske from Oakville, and Toronto’s Zrinski Frankopan folklore group—each of them showcasing the beauty and depth of Croatian heritage.

(Photo credit: Consulate General of Croatia in Mississauga and Walter Sudetic)

(Photo credit: Consulate General of Croatia in Mississauga and Walter Sudetic)

(Photo credit: Consulate General of Croatia in Mississauga and Walter Sudetic)

On Thursday, May 29, the celebration continued at Queen’s Park in Toronto with an official Croatian flag-raising ceremony.

(Photo credit: Consulate General of Croatia in Mississauga and Walter Sudetic)

Speaker Donna Skelly once again addressed the audience, expressing gratitude to the Croatian community for its contributions to Ontario’s development and referencing the 2024 passage of the Croatian Heritage Day Act, which she had brought forward to the Assembly at the initiative of the Consulate General.

(Photo credit: Consulate General of Croatia in Mississauga and Walter Sudetic)

Consul General Jović highlighted the enduring continuity of Croatian identity and Croatia’s modern commitment to global cooperation. Both the Croatian and Canadian anthems were performed by members of the Croatian community, and traditional attire gave the event added ceremonial significance.

On behalf of the Consulate, Jović presented Speaker Skelly with a framed photograph that has become a lasting symbol of the Croatian Heritage Day in Ontario.

The celebration concluded that evening with a moving visual tribute—Niagara Falls, on both the Canadian and American sides, illuminated in red, white, and blue, the colors of the Croatian flag.

(Photo credit: Consulate General of Croatia in Mississauga and Walter Sudetic)

The illumination, organized by the Consulate General of Croatia in Mississauga on both sides of the border, was activated by Consul General Jović, while members of the Croatian community gathered waving Croatian flags.

(Photo credit: Consulate General of Croatia in Mississauga and Walter Sudetic)

The scene was one of powerful unity and emotion, resonating widely and touching many Croatian descendants across Canada.

(Photo credit: Consulate General of Croatia in Mississauga and Walter Sudetic)

Croatian Heritage Day has been officially recognized in Ontario since 2024, and this year’s events demonstrated how quickly and deeply this new tradition is taking root in the public and cultural life of the province.

According to official statistics, approximately 80,000 people of Croatian descent live in Ontario, with unofficial estimates suggesting the number could exceed 100,000. This year’s celebration was not only a tribute to Croatian statehood but also a powerful testament to the enduring vitality, visibility, and contributions of the Croatian community in Ontario and Canada.