Articles for author: Mark Plavetich

13 lipnja, 2026

Mark Plavetich

Jerry Grcevich and his Tamburitza group Dazzles 450 during Croatian Embassy’s second America 250 Celebration

Washington DC – On Tuesday, June 9, Croatian American tamburitza virtuoso and composer, Jerry Grcevich performed in front of a packed concert at the Trump – Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theater for the Tamburitza Across America: Celebrating Croatian American Heritage Through Music. This evening concert was part of the Croatian Embassy’s flagship cultural events celebrating United States’ 250th anniversary of independence called America 250. Jerry took 450 attendees on a journey of Croatia’s rich musical traditions from various regions, including Lika and Slavonia with artistic renditions of classic American songs. He performed with unique instruments like the dangubica or Samica from

2 lipnja, 2026

Mark Plavetich

Commemorating Croatia’s 36th Statehood Day and its Resistance from Tyranny

Dan drzavnosti or Statehood Day, observed on May 30, is the national holiday that serves as a powerful reminder of the price of freedom won through sacrifice, democratic ideals, and determination through peaceful measures despite the dangerous consequences that the Croatian people acknowledged. It is not merely a public holiday from work or school, but a commemoration of Croatia’s establishment of a democratic system through free, multiparty elections – an achievement that paved the way for the 1991 declaration of independence from communist Yugoslavia, paving way for a long-awaited dream of national autonomy that the Croatian people had pursued since

21 svibnja, 2026

Mark Plavetich

Giovanni M. Perlain Named NFCACF 2026 Rudy Perpich Fellow

NFCACF announces new Rudy Perpich Fellow for this summer ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The National Federation of Croatian Americans Cultural Foundation (NFCACF)  is pleased to announce that Giovanni M. Perlain has been named a Rudy Perpich Fellow. Perlain is a Master’s student in International Studies at North Carolina State University,where his academic work focuses on international relations, European politics, public policy,diplomacy, and transatlantic affairs. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science fromthe University of North Carolina Asheville in December 2024. A dual American and Croatian citizen, Perlain brings a personal connection to Croatiaand a long-standing interest in international affairs. Born

28 travnja, 2026

Mark Plavetich

Croatian Heritage Night in D.C. Continues with Joy Despite Worries of Injured Pašalić

Croatian Americans and ACAP DC officers gathered and cheered for the Croatian Heritage Night during the D.C. United home match up against Orlando City SC at Audi Field.  Saturday, April 25 – Croatian Americans from Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia braved the rain on Saturday for Croatian Heritage Night organized by the Washington D.C. chapter of the Association of Croatian American Professionals (ACAP D.C.). In partnership with D.C. United, ACAP D.C. helped host the club’s first-ever Croatian Heritage Night during its home match against Orlando City SC at Audi Field. Joining in the excitement of the night, His Excellency Pjer

10 travnja, 2026

Mark Plavetich

Soldier Service Center. Foto: Google maps

Fort Rucker renames Soldier Service Center in honor of Croatian American Medal of Honor recipient

Fort Rucker held a renaming dedication ceremony Thursday to honor Chief Warrant Officer 4 (CW4) Michael J. Novosel Sr., a Croatian American Medal of Honor recipient whose decorated combat aviation service spanned World War II, Korea and Vietnam. The installation dedicated the Soldier Service Center, one of its largest facilities, in his name following the Army Aviation base’s return to the name Fort Rucker. The Soldier Service Center serves as a central hub for day-to-day services for Soldiers and their families, including human resources support, ID cards, transportation and legal assistance. The ceremony highlighted Novosel’s extraordinary legacy and military career.

26 siječnja, 2026

Mark Plavetich

Ivica Zubac honored in back-to-back Croatian Heritage Nights

ACAP DC President Kendall Niles (left with flag), Operations Manager Lara Fahey (right with flag), Vice President Tomislav Ivankovic (backrow with flag), and Forrest Petrich (next to Lara) with Croatian American fans at the stands of Capital One Arena. Washington DC – The metropolitan Croatian community gathered for the annual Croatian Heritage Night at Capital One Arena on January 19th at 3:00 PM where the Washington Wizards faced the Los Angelas Clippers. The Croatian Heritage Night was hosted by the DC chapter of the Association of Croatian American Professionals (ACAP) to celebrate Croatian heritage, community, and basketball to spotlight LA

2 siječnja, 2026

Mark Plavetich

Croatian Canadian Astronomy Writer showcases New Book that Could Challenge Our Perception of the Universe

By Mark Plavetic Croatians Online conducted a virtual interview with Miro Laus, an astronomy writer from Ontario, Canada, which showcased his new book, “The Croatian Barrel Theory: Origin of the Solar System and Theory of the First Cell on Earth.” Published on May 29, 2025, The Croatian Barrel Theory proposes unprecedented explanations about the origins of the universe that oppose the Big Bang Theory and uses the metaphor of a barrel (common in Croatian winemaking) to answer the unexplained questions about the cosmic and planetary formations, and how the stars, celestial bodies, and galaxies were created in a barrel-like state.