PHOTOS: Amalija Zagorčak wins Miss Croatia Diaspora title at 28th Croatian Ball
- by croatiaweek
- in News
4 March 2019 – The 28th traditional Croatian Ball, organised by the Austrian-Croatian society for culture and sport, was held in the beautiful Sofiensälle hall in Vienna on Saturday evening.
The main attraction of the ball was the Miss Supranational Croatia Diaspora beauty pageant, with the top four contestants heading off to represent the Croatian diaspora at the Miss Supranational Croatia contest which will take place in June.
The title of Miss Supranational Croatia Diaspora 2019 went to 17-year-old Amalija Zagorčak. Amalija, whose roots in Croatia are from Beli Manastir, lives in Ebenfurth where she goes to medical school and enjoys volleyball, Moja Hrvatska writes.
Amalija was presented her sash by last year’s winner Tihana Babij, who also become Miss Supranational Croatia.
“I am happy and I still can not believe that after a number of attempts I have won the title of Miss Croatia Diaspora. I am looking forward to going to the Miss Supranational Croatia in June in Vodice and I would be happy if the success of my predecessor Tihana Babij is repeated,” Amalija said.
Arijana Bišop (27) from Vienna, whose roots are from Novska, was the first runner-up, whilst second runner-up was Tea Vlašić (19), another Austrian-Croatian with roots from Slavonski Brod.
Miss Photogenic was Marina Čabraja (17), whilst Nikolina Benak (17) and Antonela Čabraja (17) missed out on placing in the top four.
The 28th Croatian Ball was opened by a performance from members of the dance school ‘Immervoll’. Croatian singer Goran Karan, the Tambura band Šokadija and folklore dancers from Vienna then entertained the crowd.
Miroslav Piplica, president of the Austrian-Croatian Association for Culture and Sports and the representative of Croats from Austria on the Government Council for Croats outside Croatia, opened the ball.
“The Croatian Ball has become a tradition and a symbol of the link between the diaspora and the homeland of Croatia. With this and other cultural and sporting events, we try to preserve Croatian language, culture and identity and to make friends with others, especially local Austrians,” he said.
The ball was held under the auspices of the Central State Office for Croats Abroad.
