AGP Executive Report

Wildfire Response on Brač: About 700 people were evacuated by sea overnight after a major wildfire threatened the Milna area, with rescue boats, Coast Guard vessels, HGSS teams and medical staff coordinated from MRCC Rijeka. Dubrovnik Culture: Gradac Park in Dubrovnik reopens Sept 16 after its first full renovation in 120 years, with new paths, lighting, trees and an evening of music and performances. Heritage & Food Tourism: Ston Salt Festival’s 10th anniversary closed with an international symposium on the future of Adriatic saltworks, focusing on conservation and sustainable development. Free Music in Dubrovnik: An American choir concert will be held free of charge at the Franciscan Monastery on Sept 16 at 8 pm. Sports & Identity: Croatian-Canadian boxing legend George Chuvalo died at 89; born to Croatian immigrant parents, he fought Ali twice and was never knocked down in 93 pro bouts. Education & Gender: A global map shows women are more likely than men to go to college in most countries, with the gap especially wide in places like Sweden, Brazil, the U.S. and Australia. Local Festival Spotlight: Vinkovačke Jeseni (61st edition) opened Sept 11 in Vinkovci, running through Sept 20 with folklore, music, food and regional hospitality.

Science & Stage: Physicist Brian Cox brings his ambitious live show Emergence to Sofia’s National Palace of Culture, with a Europe tour that also lists Zagreb among stops. Dubrovnik Culture: Gradac Park in Dubrovnik reopens Sept 16 after its first full renovation in 120 years, with new paths, lighting, and hundreds of trees—plus an evening of music and youth bands. Heritage & Travel: Topusko, near Zagreb, is spotlighted for its Roman altars, thermal springs, and centuries-old spa tradition—an easy cultural detour for autumn. Free Music in the Old City: An American choir performs free at Dubrovnik’s historic Franciscan Monastery on Sept 16. Croatian Sports Spotlight: Olivia Vukosa, a Croatia-born basketball recruit, gets high praise from UConn star Sarah Strong ahead of the new season. Croatia Tourism Reality Check: New data shows Croatia’s tourism employment is the most seasonal in the EU, underlining the challenge of keeping jobs steady beyond summer. Zagreb School Attack: A student stabbed a classmate and a janitor in Zagreb; the attacker was detained and victims were reported out of danger.

Dubrovnik Culture: Gradac Park in Dubrovnik is set to reopen on Sept 16 after its first full renovation in 120 years, a €4.4m project adding new paths, lighting, facilities and hundreds of trees, with an evening of music and performances kicking off the celebration. Free Music in the Old City: An American choir will perform a free concert at Dubrovnik’s historic Franciscan Monastery on Sept 16 at 8 p.m., part of the city’s September programme. Local Travel & Heritage: Topusko is spotlighted as a rare mix of Roman stone remains, thermal springs and spa tradition near Zagreb, while Biševo is described as a Blue Cave hotspot where day-trippers vastly outnumber overnight stays. Dubrovnik Republic Secrets: Sokol Grad, the former Dubrovnik Republic’s biggest fortress, is highlighted as a major defensive site far from the city itself. Zagreb School Safety: A student in Zagreb stabbed a fellow student and a janitor; the attacker was detained and the injured were reported out of danger after surgery. Tourism Jobs: New figures underline Croatia’s heavy summer dependence, with the biggest seasonal employment swing in EU accommodation and food services. Festival Life: Vinkovci’s 61st Vinkovačke Jeseni opens with local star Jakov Jozinović, while Green Rock Fest kicks off in Ruse with Bulgarian and Italian acts. TV & Everyday Culture: HRT launches a new sitcom-style series on Croatian habits through the eyes of an American who has lived in Croatia for 15 years, focusing on everyday customs like coffee culture and “propuh” (draughts).

School Safety in Zagreb: A student stabbed a classmate and a janitor at an Electrical Engineering School in Zagreb’s Voltino neighborhood on Friday morning; police detained the attacker and classes were postponed, with victims reported stable after surgery and treatment. Culture & Lifestyle on Screen: HRT is launching “Kako preživjeti u Hrvatskoj,” a 12-part sitcom-style series where an American resident in Croatia (Cody McClain Brown) explains everyday Croatian habits—from coffee culture to “propuh” fears and family dynamics. Travel & Heritage: Croatia’s Adriatic is getting more attention for its hidden history and low-key stays, from Biševo’s Blue Cave day-trippers to Sokol Grad, the biggest fortress of the Dubrovnik Republic located outside the city. Family Policy: Croatia introduces up to €15,000 support for larger families buying seven-seat cars, aiming to ease costs and improve practical mobility. Wellness Trend: Traditional Chinese Medicine is booming globally with Gen Z, as “Chinamaxxing” spreads via social media and practices like acupuncture and cupping. Sports Spotlight: Ayumi Leiva Sanchez won Zagreb Grand Prix gold in judo, while Croatia’s local sports scene also keeps buzzing with new results and profiles.

School Safety in Focus: A student and a staff member were injured in a Friday morning stabbing at a Zagreb school on Konavonska Street; the suspected attacker is in police custody, classes were postponed, and authorities are investigating the circumstances. Education Load & Wellbeing: Across the Balkans, schools are easing heavy schoolbags with lockers, split textbooks, and digital materials—aiming to cut the daily burden on pupils. TV & Everyday Culture: HRT is launching “Kako preživjeti u Hrvatskoj,” a 12-part sitcom-style series with an American resident (Cody McClain Brown) exploring Croatian habits—from coffee culture and propuh fears to visiting etiquette and parking struggles. Family Policy: Croatia is introducing up to €15,000 support for larger families to buy seven-seat cars, as part of broader demographic measures. Arts & Film: “Sometimes Sadness, Sometimes Rebellion” won the GdA Director’s Award at the Giornate degli Autori in Venice, with other prizes going to “A Woman Today” and “Balcanica.” Travel Rules: Thailand is tightening visa-free stays from 60 to 30 days starting Sept. 15, with a possible paid extension for longer trips.

Croatia Family Policy: Croatia is rolling out a pilot that pays up to €15,000 (50% of the price, VAT included) toward a seven-seat vehicle for households with four or more children, with extra points for single parents, families with children with developmental difficulties, and areas with weaker transport links. Dubrovnik Culture: “Pictures at an Exhibition” returns to the Dulčić Masle Pulitika Gallery with piano-led matinées that pair Croatian composers with works from the gallery’s collection, starting Sept 12. Zagreb Tech & AI: Infobip marks 20 years in business, highlighting global growth and a shift toward AI-driven operations, with a new Sarajevo campus planned. Justice Reform: Croatia proposes life imprisonment with parole after 25 years (from Jan 1, 2027) plus a post-sentence supervision measure. Regional Memory & Politics: The Ratko Mladić funeral in Serbia sparked condemnation across the Balkans and EU criticism over the “glorification” of a convicted war criminal. Education Watch: Eurostat data shows EU primary enrollment slightly down and pupil-teacher ratios continuing to fall, with Croatia among countries seeing notable declines.

Dubrovnik Airport Surprise: A traveller says they met British comedian Russell Brand at around 5 a.m., leading to an hour-long chat about family and faith, plus a selfie, gift shopping, and even an attempted seat swap to keep talking. Balkan Memory & Politics: Reactions keep rippling after Ratko Mladić’s funeral in Serbia, with EU officials condemning the “glorification” and regional tensions deepening. Croatian Justice Reform: Croatia plans life imprisonment with parole possible after 25 years, alongside new supervision rules after release, starting from Jan. 1, 2027. Education Watch: Eurostat data shows EU primary enrolment is slightly down, while Croatia is among the biggest decliners over the past decade—raising questions for schools and staffing. Family Mobility in Croatia: A new pilot scheme offers families with four-plus children up to €15,000 toward a seven-seat vehicle. Dubrovnik Culture Calendar: “Pictures at an Exhibition” returns to the Dulčić Masle Pulitika Gallery, pairing piano recitals with Croatian art in a gallery “musical walk.” Tech Milestone: Infobip turns 20, highlighting global growth and a shift toward AI at its Zagreb campus. Environment & Protest: Tens of thousands protest in Zagreb over delays in removing hazardous waste tied to the Lika scandal.

Demography & Mobility: Croatia opened applications for a pilot scheme offering families with four or more children up to €15,000 (50% of a seven-seat vehicle’s price, max including VAT) to boost everyday transport, with extra consideration for single parents, children with developmental difficulties, and areas with weaker connections. Dubrovnik Arts: “Pictures at an Exhibition” returns to the Dulčić Masle Pulitika Gallery, pairing live piano recitals with Croatian art and heritage in a gallery “musical walk” starting Sept 12. Education Watch: New OECD PISA results point to a broad slump in reading and maths, with several EU countries (including Croatia) below OECD averages—fueling calls for action as digitalisation and less recreational reading are blamed. Rijeka Logistics: Rijeka Gateway’s first year shows strong growth (over 370,000 TEU handled), but reporting stresses the need for further rail upgrades to keep momentum. Environment & Protest: Croatia’s hazardous waste scandal in Lika continues to spark public anger and questions about long-term pollution, after arrests tied to illegal dumping. Sports & Community: Zagreb opened Bazen Špansko, a €36.3m municipal sports centre with the city’s first western-area municipal swimming pool.

EU Values & Memory Politics: Ratko Mladić’s funeral in Belgrade drew sharp EU backlash, with Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa calling the official honours “shocking” and a failure to confront Europe’s dark past; Croatia’s Tonino Picula also said any glorification is contrary to EU values, while Bosnia expelled two Serbian diplomats over their attendance. Zagreb Culture & Sports: Zagreb opened the €36.3m Bazen Špansko sports centre, including the city’s first municipal pool in the western district, with facilities for kids, athletes and accessibility-focused design. Education & Reading Culture: New PISA results show steep declines in maths and reading across Europe, with Croatia among EU countries below the OECD average—fueling fresh calls to protect learning and recreational reading. Tourism & Lifestyle Tech: Croatia launched “Meet Croatia,” a digital platform meant to centralize bookings with local providers. Travel Practicalities: Thailand ends its 60-day visa-free scheme from Sept. 15, reverting to 30-day visa-free for eligible nationalities (including Croatia). Arts & Heritage: The Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb is set for renovation after decades, with bids now in for conceptual design work.

EU Values Clash: Croatia’s officials and EU leaders condemned Serbia’s “hero” funeral for convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić, calling the ceremony a political message that violates European values and risks derailing Serbia’s EU path. Diplomatic Fallout: Bosnia and Herzegovina ordered two Serbian embassy officials out within 48 hours and signaled wider diplomatic pullback after the burial. Culture & Heritage: Zagreb’s Croatian National Theatre (HNK) is moving into a new phase of renovation after nearly 57 years, with bids now in for conceptual design work. Tourism Tech: Meet Croatia launched as a new digital platform meant to centralize Croatia’s fragmented tourism market, linking travelers directly with local providers. Travel Lifestyle: A motorhome route across the Adriatic highlights the joys—and practical hassles—of exploring Croatia by four wheels. Health & Inclusion: Dubrovnik lit the Great Onofrio Fountain red for World Duchenne Awareness Day, pushing the “Access Changes Lives” message. Local Demographics: Makarska recorded a rare natural population increase in 2025, with more births than deaths.

Film & Regional Culture: Montenegro Film Rendezvous in Herceg Novi spotlighted regional cinema, with Montenegrin producer Miljan Vučelić pitching his work-in-progress Comedown / Sobe in a Croatia–Montenegro–Slovenia coproduction. Heritage Tech & Storytelling: Etnoland near Šibenik is set to open a major €6.29m expansion bringing Dalmatian heritage to life via a 360° immersive show and new monumental sculptures. Dubrovnik in Focus: Dutch photographer Hugo Smeenk shares how he “frames” Dubrovnik through reflections, early light, and details beyond the city walls—plus a stop at the Dubrovnik Co-Working Space and Ston’s Salt Festival. Tourism & Culture Economy: Croatia’s tourism remains sharply seasonal—over half of annual overnight stays land in July and August—while the EU’s Capitals of Tourism 2027 shortlist includes Croatia-linked finalists and highlights sustainability and cultural heritage. Education & Everyday Culture: OECD PISA 2025 reports a global slide in 15-year-olds’ reading and maths, with Croatia among countries scoring below the OECD average. Croats Abroad Support: Croatia’s Central State Office for Croats Abroad opens €3.3m for projects by non-profits supporting language, identity, culture, and cooperation with Croatian communities outside Croatia. Balkan Memory Politics: Ratko Mladić’s funeral in Belgrade drew thousands and EU condemnation over “shocking” glorification, while Bosnia ordered expulsion of Serbian diplomats for attending.

Far-Right Politics in Europe: Germany’s Saxony-Anhalt vote showed the AfD edging closer to power, reviving fears across Europe that the “center” is weakening. War Crimes & Memory Politics: Ratko Mladić’s funeral in Belgrade drew thousands and sparked outrage, with the EU calling the turnout and official-style tributes “shocking” and warning it could undermine Serbia’s EU path. Croatian Diaspora Support: Croatia’s Central State Office for Croats Abroad opened a €3.3 million call for projects by non-profits supporting Croats outside Croatia—identity, language, culture, and community cooperation. Education in Croatia: Dubrovnik welcomed 416 first graders as the city touts a major €37 million-plus investment push for primary schools and sports infrastructure. Environment & Public Action: Zagreb saw large protests over delays in removing illegally stored hazardous waste in Lika, as activists demand real cleanup on the ground. Regional Culture & Media: Journalists’ groups in Slovenia urged safeguards for RTV Slovenija’s independence and stable funding amid proposed legal changes. Air Quality Alert: Smoke from Bosnia wildfires pushed Split back into the red air-quality category.

Hazardous Waste Protest: Tens of thousands marched in Zagreb demanding action over 30,000+ tonnes of illegally stored toxic waste in central Croatia, after authorities found 34,000–37,000 tonnes near Gospić, much imported from Italy in 2023–2024, and critics say promises still haven’t turned into cleanup. Education & Youth: Dubrovnik welcomed 416 first graders as the city touts a €37m primary-school investment push, while Croatia’s education minister urged pupils to be curious, brave and persistent on day one. Air Quality & Wildfires: Smoke from Bosnia’s wildfires pushed Split back into the red air-quality category, with firefighters warning the city isn’t threatened even as haze lingers. Culture & Film: Croatia selected Hana Jušić’s historical drama “God Will Not Help” as its Oscar candidate. Travel & Lifestyle: Air China launched a year-round Zagreb–Beijing–Bucharest route, and Dubrovnik’s early-September appeal is boosted by warmer seas and fewer crowds as school starts. Regional Politics: In Serbia, thousands attended Ratko Mladić’s funeral amid EU condemnation over “glorification,” reopening painful Balkan debates.

Education & Youth: Croatia’s new school year begins with Minister Radovan Fuchs urging pupils to be “curious, brave and persistent,” while noting that over 4,000 first-graders have had enrolment postponed. Public Health & Lifestyle: Eurostat data puts Croatia’s adult obesity rate at 16.5% in 2025, with experts pointing to diet shifts and lower activity levels. Environment & Activism: Tens of thousands marched in Zagreb demanding urgent cleanup of illegally stored toxic waste in Lika near Gospić, calling for a waste-import moratorium and a national plan within 20 days. Local Culture & Food: Štrudlafest in Jaškovo near Ozalj spotlights traditional strudel-making, awarding the “Golden Grandma” title and adding craft workshops and a Tesla-themed corner. Film & Awards: Croatia selected Hana Jušić’s historical drama “God Will Not Help / Bog neće pomoći” as its Oscar entry, while Varna’s World Festival of Animated Film crowned “Gently.” Sports & Community: Police in Zagreb cracked down on e-scooters, seizing 15 and issuing 114 offences, mostly for missing helmets.

Environmental Protest: Tens of thousands marched in Zagreb demanding faster cleanup of illegally stored toxic waste in Lika near Gospić, where authorities say 34,000–37,000 tons (and activists claim more) are threatening soil and water; protesters want a national waste plan within 20 days and a temporary ban on waste imports. Public Health & Lifestyle: Croatia’s adult obesity rate hit 16.5% in 2025, slightly above the EU average, with men more affected than women—another reminder that diet and activity trends are shifting. Education: Croatia’s new school year starts Sept. 7 as pupils return to classrooms; the education minister flagged that over 4,000 first-graders had enrollment postponed, urging parents to rely on professionals. City Life & Safety: Zagreb police seized 15 high-powered electric scooters after a crackdown found helmet violations and vehicles exceeding legal limits. Film & Culture: Croatia selected Hana Jušić’s historical drama “God Will Not Help” as its Oscar candidate; in animation, Varna’s World Festival of Animated Film crowned “Gentle” with the Grand Prix. Tourism Mood: Early September still feels like summer in Dubrovnik—warm sea, fewer crowds—though smoke from cross-border wildfires has also been reported. Arts Spotlight: Štrudlafest in Jaškovo near Ozalj opened with new workshops and the “Golden Grandma” award for Ana Vujaklija.

Back to School: Croatian pupils return to classrooms tomorrow as Education Minister Radovan Fuchs notes that over 4,000 first-graders had enrolment postponed, urging parents to rely on professionals rather than personal judgement. Protest & Environment: Tens of thousands marched in Zagreb in the “Walk for Lika” rally, demanding a fast cleanup of illegally stored hazardous waste near Gospić, with protesters calling for a moratorium on imports and a national waste plan within 20 days. Culture & Food: Štrudlafest kicked off in Jaškovo near Ozalj, spotlighting the “Golden Grandma” award for strudel tradition and adding new workshops and a Tesla-themed corner. Arts & Heritage: The Epidaurus Cavtat Festival marks its 20th anniversary with a programme bringing international artists back to southern Croatia, dedicated this year to the artistic director’s mother. Transport & Daily Life: Zagreb police seized 15 high-powered electric scooters during a crackdown, citing safety and legal limits. International Links: International Zagreb Airport welcomed the first direct China–Croatia flight, launching an Air China route via Bucharest. Sports: Croatian defender Luka Vuskovic scored for Brighton against Leeds, with coach Fabian Hurzeler praising his quick adaptation to the Premier League. Regional Memory: Ratko Mladić’s return to Serbia sparked condemnation across the Balkans, with EU officials warning against glorification.