Sv. Lovro Junior Tamburitzans of Steelton, PA performing at the CFU Junior Tamburitza Festival
Pittsburgh was elated with a festive and eventful weekend from June 27 to June 29. The National Federation of Croatian Americans Cultural Foundation (NFCACF) hosted its 32nd Assembly of Delegates in part with the 57th Annual Jr. Tamburitza Festival organized by the Croatian Fraternal Union (CFU). The assembly and the festival took place at the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown. The weekend kicked off with Croatian Heritage Night at PNC Park, where the Pittsburgh Pirates squared off against the New York Mets.
Despite the sporadic thunderstorms before the game, the stadium was filled with over 900 Croats wearing their Croatian checkered soccer jerseys, Pirate hats specially designed with the Croatian flag on the left-hand side and the bottom of the visor, and some wearing Mets regalia. Before the game started, a group of Croats gathered in the outfield to sing the “Star-Spangled Banner,” the American National Anthem. The Pirates stunned the Mets 1-9 in the 9th inning and ended the game with a spectacular drone show dedicated to Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. The evening concluded with a Tamburitza social party at the Wyndham Grand ballroom that continued until 1:00 am.
NFCACF delegates and guests enjoy a baseball game at PNC Park during Croatian Heritage Night
Saturday was the major event for both NFCACF and CFU. Early that morning, NFCACF held its 32nd annual meeting, where President Steve Rukavina delivered a State of the Union address highlighting cultural and charitable initiatives, as well as ongoing efforts to advance bilateral agreements and treaties between the U.S. and Croatia. The assembly included delegate representatives from CFU, the Association of Croatian American Professional Association (ACAP), and individual members serving on the board and with officer roles. Officers and board members shared their committee updates and research reports, including Rudy Perpich fellow Milena Rylatt, who gave her research report on the Southern Gas Interconnection Pipeline in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Updates included Croatian American organizations initiatives, geopolitical developments, Congressional outreach with the Congressional Croatian Caucus, and philanthropy. The national secretary, Mark Plavetic, delivered the first Washington Report written and presented by an NFCACF member, who shared more details on NFCACF’s initiatives, including the Avoidance of the Double Taxation Treaty. The assembly concluded with closing remarks addressed by the Ambassador of Croatia to the United States, H.E. Pjer Šimunović.
National Federation of Croatian Americans Cultural Foundation Assembly of Delegates
Saturday afternoon and Sunday was the CFU annual tamburitza festival, featuring CFU children and young adults presenting their performances at the grand ballroom. The performances include 11 groups from across the United States, including one ensemble from Canada and one guest ensemble from Osijek, Croatia. Welcoming the audience was the director of the CFU Junior Cultural Federation, Michael Ricci. The evening concluded with a Tamburitza Catholic Mass by Fr. Nicholas Vaskov, Christ Our Savior Parish, N.S. Pittsburgh and Director of the Shrines of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Fr. William Hristsko, Chaplain, with music provided by CFU directors of the ensemble. Sunday events included invocations by the Chaplain and presentations by guest conductor Ashley Spencer, CFU Director of Fraternal Programs Derek Hohn, and combined performances of Croatian songs, including Kaj Su Rekli, Svirajte Mi Tamburaši, and Živila Hrvatska.
Tamburitza evening social and dance with patriotic celebration
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