President Zoran Milanović on Thursday decorated individuals and organisations for their long-term work and contributions to Croatian culture, science, sport and economy. The honours were presented at the Pantovčak Palace.
The Croatian Order of the Daphne with Olive Leaves was awarded to Stanislav Štumbak for his outstanding contributions to the development of Mediterranean crops and his particular contribution to the promotion of Croatian olive growing. Štumbak is a popular agricultural advisor, always available to provide analysis, advice and support, particularly to olive growers.
Milanović highlighted that the people at the ceremony had invested decades of dedication, effort, love and interest in their work. "I wish everyone a heartfelt thank you for what you have given," the President said. "I express my deep respect to you, and the honours are a small sign of appreciation that the Croatian state can show."
The Croatian Order of the Daphne with the Image of Marko Marulić was awarded to Jelva Kviz and Prof. Dr. Boris Kviz for their significant contribution to Croatian culture through the donation of a valuable collection of works by the most prominent Croatian visual artists to the Republic of Croatia and the city of Zagreb. The same order was awarded to Yoko Nishii for her particular contribution to the promotion and preservation of Croatian musical heritage and the strengthening of friendship and cultural ties between the Republic of Croatia and Japan, as well as to Krešimir Stražan for his exceptionally successful musical achievements and his particular contribution to the promotion of Croatian musical art in the country and abroad.
The Croatian Order of the Daphne with the Image of Ruđer Bošković was awarded to Prof. Dr. Neven Budak for his particular contributions to the advancement of Croatian historical science and for his exceptional achievements in the field of historiography. The same order was awarded to Associate Prof. Dr. Dario Rahelić for his significant contribution to the development of medical sciences in the field of diabetology, his continuous work in improving healthcare, and his particular contributions to the international reputation of the Croatian scientific community.
The Croatian Order of the Daphne with the Image of Franjo Bučar was awarded to Đurđa Gabrilo for her particular contribution to the development of Croatian swimming sports and the achieved historical sports results at national and international competitions. The same order was awarded to Hrvoje Horvat for his particular contribution to the development and promotion of handball and the excellent results achieved in national and international sports competitions, which contributed to the reputation and promotion of Croatian sport.
The Croatian Order of the Daphne with the Image of Antun Radić was awarded to Zoran Hercigonj for his significant contribution to the promotion of informatics and his particular contributions to the improvement of the quality of the educational system in the Republic of Croatia.
The Croatian Order of the Daphne with the Image of the Crown was awarded to Sonja Borovac for her particular contributions to the protection of the rights and well-being of children, on the occasion of 50 years of institutional activity. The same order was awarded to Tatjana Holjevac for her particular contributions and achievements in the establishment of telecommunications in Croatia during the Homeland War. The Croatian Order of the Droph was also awarded to maestro Aleksandar Marković for his particular contributions to the promotion of the music of Croatian authors through excellent performances during his long-term collaboration with the Croatian Radio Television Symphony Orchestra.
The Croatian Order of the Daphne with the Image of the Crown was awarded to Vesna Milković for her outstanding, long-term contribution to the preservation and promotion of Croatian traditional cultural heritage in the country and abroad. The same order was awarded to Carmen and Ivan Perković for their particular contributions to the establishment of the Fraternite Catalogne Croate charity and their long-standing, continuous work in collecting and delivering humanitarian aid to citizens of the Republic of Croatia. The Croatian Order of the Daph was also awarded to Daniela Taslić-Herman for her particular contributions to the cultural development of Slavonia and Baranja through her long-term pedagogical and humanitarian work.
The Croatian Charter was presented to the Croatian Swimming Federation for its particular contributions to the promotion, encouragement and development of swimming sports in the Republic of Croatia, and for the excellent sports results achieved at national and international competitions. The charter was also presented to the Croatian Medical Association's Liječnički Vjesnik for its significant contribution to the continuous recording and promotion of the most significant professional and scientific medical achievements, and for its particular contributions to the exchange of knowledge, innovation and experience among doctors and scientists, on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of Liječnički Vjesnik.
In the name of all those decorated and all who received recognition, Neven Budak expressed his gratitude. "I would like to thank, on behalf of all those decorated and all who have received recognition, for this great honour," Budak said. "We come from very different professions and different fields, but I think there is something that connects us all: that, regardless of what we do, we work for the benefit and well-being of the Republic of Croatia and all its citizens. Therefore, I am sure that the honours we have received today will inspire us to continue, in line with our abilities and years, to improve the Croatian state and Croatian society. It is a great pleasure to me to do this on this day."
