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Diaspora interest in learning Croatian language in Croatia rises

Interest from the diaspora has been rising

2 March 2019 – Recipients of Croatian language learning scholarships have taken part in the official signing ceremony on Friday at the Central State Office for Croats Abroad in Zagreb. 

A total of 37 people of Croatian heritage from all over the world signed their scholarship contracts yesterday and will begin their studies at Croaticum at the University of Zagreb’s Faculty of Philosophy. 

There has been an increase in the number of scholarships awarded this year compared to the last academic year with 175 scholarships awarded for language studies in Croatia. Besides Zagreb, scholarships were awarded for studies in Split and Rijeka. 

This year students with Croatian heritage come from 20 countries around the world, with the largest number this year from South America. 

From 2012-2019, a total of 1,186 scholarships have been awarded by the Central State Office for Croats Abroad.   

Zvonko Milas, State Secretary of the Central State Office for Croats Abroad, welcomed the students and stressed that the Office, through the Croatian Language Learning Program, wants to promote and strengthen the links between the diaspora and homeland, all with the aim of preserving and developing the Croatian identity.  

Recipients of this year’s scholarships in Zagreb on Friday (Photo: Central State Office for Croats Abroad)

The objective of the Croatian language learning program is to connect Croatian people abroad with the tradition and culture of their ancestors through the teaching of Croatian language as the most effective link to the homeland and their roots.

At the same time, this programme encourages the return of Croatian emigrants and their descendants to Croatia and their active inclusion in the economic and social life of Croatia.

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