PHOTOS: Croatian radio New York celebrates 51st birthday in new studio

Croatian Radio Club NY celebrates 51st birthday

NEW YORK CITY, 23 February 2020 – Croatians have gathered in New York to celebrate the 51st anniversary of the Croatian Radio Club NY ‘The Voice of Free Croatia’ in their new studio last night.

Among the most responsible for the new studio project is the club’s vice president and editor-in-chief of Croatian Radio Ivica Gasparic.

While the program was run by Boris Miketic, Petra Pesa and Sandra Misic, the club members enjoyed the sounds of radio, socialising and remembering the past times and the founders of the Croatian Radio Club in 1969: Mirko Barić, Jerko Colich, Fr. Mladen Čuvalo, Miro Gal, Bruno Govorčin, Ivan Kundid, Vinko Kužina, Marko Kristić, Ivan Labrović, Krunoslav Mašina, Fra Vitomir Naletić, Ante Nosić, John Pintar, Đuro Raguž, Eduard Marteka and Bozo Radelja.

Ane Strazicic Rodrigez makes a presentation 

51 years ago, for the first time, the sounds of Croatia were broadcast on radio waves in New York and the US East Coast. It was an event of extraordinary significance in the expatriate history of American Croats.

Croatian Radio Club NY in a new studio 

“All these years, the goal of the Croatian Radio Club has been to defend the Croatian Right, to preserve the Croatian language and the Croatian spirit, especially in those difficult times, and even today, when we have a free Republic of Croatia, it spreads the truth and positive word while remaining consistent with the principles of the club’s founder. He connected all Croats with positive words and patriotism, helped with various humanitarian actions. He was a support to various societies during those difficult times in order to alleviate the devastation and suffering of our Homeland. Love for Croatia spreads on the waves of Croatian Radio in NY and today with unforgettable, rich, imaginative and patriotic songs. The Croatian cultural heritage and the Croatian word are preserved even though far from the homeland, but always in the heart and on the air,” said Stipe Dumancic, President of the Radio Club of NY, addressing the audience.  

On behalf of the Croatian World Congress, USA, Ane Strazicic Rodrigez presented a commendation to Croatian Radio NY for the preservation of Croatian cultural heritage and the Croatian language in over fifty years of linking Croatian emigrants via the radio waves.

Past members attended the celebration 

Strazicic Rodrigez also presented the Story of Mljet Makaruli and Ignjat Durdevic’s poem Suze Marunkove (Marunko’s Tears) in which Makaruli was mentioned 300 years ago.

The celebration continued at the Picolo Venecia Restaurant, where members of Radio Club and their guests were entertained by NY Tambourists who played a rich repertoire of Croatian songs. 

Celebrations continued with entertainment by NY Tambourists 

Among those in attendance was Zvonko Crnogorac, who has been a radio presenter since 1969 when it first started. 

The event was supported by the Croatian Consul in NY, Lidija Babic, who congratulated Croatian Radio Club NY on its 51st birthday.