Croatian radio New York celebrates 50th anniversary
- by croatiaweek
- in Entertainment
NEW YORK, 25 February 2019 – Several hundred Croatians gathered in New York last night to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Croatian Radio Club NY ‘The Voice of Free Croatia’.
Back in 1969, a group of Croatians gathered to start the first radio show for the Croatian community in New York. On 22 February 1969 the first radio show hit the airwaves. Today ‘The Voice of Free Croatia’ airs twice weekly, on Saturdays with a one hour show and on Wednesdays with a half-hour show.
On Sunday, guests from Croatia, America and Canada gathered to celebrate the anniversary.
“Special guests from Zagreb (Željko Glasnović and Ljiljana Vinkovic), Washington (Ambassador Pjer Šimunović), Chicago (Fra Joe Grbes) and Toronto gathered to celebrate the occasion – a testament to the years of hard work, sacrifice and dedication of the numerous members of the radio program, who were honoured for their service to our community at the event,” Ivan Grbešić, who is head of the government’s Council for Croats outside Croatia, wrote.
Entertainment on the night included performances from Klapa Samoana from New Zealand.
“For the last 50 years, Croatian Radio Club NY ‘The Voice of Free Croatia’ has been keeping Croats in New York and the US connected within their own community as well as with Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Congratulations to 50 years and looking forward to 50 more!,” Grbešić concluded.
