Original scientific paper
Founding and activities of “Napredak” organizations on the territory of Slavonia in 1902-1949
Zdravklo Dizdar
Abstract
Various forms of activities of the Croatian Cultural Society were continuously present on the Slavonian territory in the period from its founding in 1902 to its dissolution in 1949. There have always been people in Slavonia who were able to recognize the importance of the activities of “Napredak” and enthusiastic enough to support them. The Ðakovo bishop was its first patron in 1902. The most prominent activity of “Napredak” expanded throughout more than twenty various organizations (branches and committees) established in that region and within that period. Its founding was supported by its central organization from Sarajevo, central branch of “Napredak” from Zagreb and individual members of the organization. It was the branches in Brod upon Sava, Osijek and Vinkovci which had existed longest. The organizations on the Slavonian territory had around several thousand members and among them were many prominent Croatian patriots, who were known not only to their own communities but also to the wider Croatian public. Despite adverse conditions, such as the repression of the ruling regime they were often subjected to, their self-sacrificing work ended in success. They organized a whole array of activities and raised substantial funds. In making use of these funds, it was possible to finance general activities of “Napredak”. Scholarships were granted and other types of support provided to facilitate the education of several thousands of Croatian high school and college students and scientists, in particular those from the lower social class. But for the help of “Napredak” organizations it would not have been possible. What is more, many came to be respectable and prominent public persons. Hundreds of young people from the Slavonian region completed their education, perfected their craft and thus earned their living. One of those prominent individuals was Lavoslav Ružička, a Nobel Prize winner from Vukovar. In strengthening the national awareness and an all-Croatian unity through his work, he has left a permanent mark on the Croatian character. It was on these foundations that “Napredak” came into life again in 1990, in altered, although more complicated and unfavourable circumstances. Not only did it function successfully during the Croatian Patriotic war in which Croatian territorial integrity was violated, but it also succeeded in reviving a large number of “Napredak” branches that had existed before and in founding several new ones in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in Croatia and around the world, 63 organizations altogether, with more than 20.000 members. As far as the region of Slavonia is concerned, “Napredak” branches in Osijek and Okuèani came into life again. As for the rest of the Republic of Croatia, the central branch in Zagreb was re-established on 25th October 1992 (however, without its former jurisdiction), as well as branches in Dubrovnik, Imotski, Karlovac, Makarska, Rijeka, Split, Varaždin and Zadar and two new branches in Graèac and Pula. An amazing variety of activities has developed in these organizations and we hope that both Slavonia and the rest of Croatia will see more of them founded in the future.
Keywords
Croatian Cultural Association “Napredak”; Slavonia; branches; donations; education stipends; manifestations
Hrčak ID:
20043
URI
Publication date:
10.11.2003.
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