With the Wicked-movie-mania all over the US media, the Croatians in “wicked’ Boston decided to hold a social hour just before the movie’s US premiere on November 22nd.
The group of over 20 professionals representing all dominant industries in Boston, such as informatics, financial industry, immunotherapy, biomedicine, molecular technology, medicine, teaching institutions, architecture, etc., socialized discussing everyday life issues in the “wicked” city as well as other upcoming gatherings and programs.
“Traditionally NEFC and Croatian School of Boston annually organize several bigger
events, such as Fall and Spring Picnics and Christmas gatherings, and intermingle that with special events such as film screenings, scientific presentations, and book
introductions, including supporting exchanges with visitors from Croatia,” said Irena
Matulić, architectural designer, and founder of DOMA Homes, an award-winning
architectural design studio, also a co-founder and administrative director at the Croatian School of Boston and a long-time member of the NEFC Board.
Organized by the New England Friends of Croatia (NEFC) and the Croatian School of
Boston, the two non-profit organizations with a decades-long mission to connect and
educate Croatians and Americans in the area about Croatia, its culture, language and
traditions, as well as business, scientific, and cultural exchanges, the group met for a
social hour in Tradesman Charlestown. This coffee shop and pizza bar, owned by a
“friend of Croatia,” has been a welcoming place to gather over time, including watching sports events, with delish food and cocktails.
The Boston Croatian community is growing fast, which is not surprising given the city’s focus on innovation, education, and cultural exchanges. We look forward to learning and adopting ideas from new members interested in promoting Croatia and its various talents for the benefit of the community in New England and in Croatia.
Background on the 30-year Old Boston Croatian Community
NEFC was formed in 1992. Originally, due to urgency of the war, the Croatian
community was fiercely active in efforts to recognize Croatia as well as in humanitarian efforts to support people and programs in Croatia. Many of the founding members have hosted families from the war-torn areas of Croatia and Bosnia. Since the end of the war, the community has shifted its focus. While still involved in humanitarian efforts, such as making donations to families in need of medical treatments in the US or supporting a ballet school in Osijek, as well as sending donations to Croatian communities in US affected by emergencies, NEFC now focuses on helping new immigrants, mostly professionals, or students in the Boston area, as well as spreading the word about Croatia among the American community. To date, NEFC has organized on its own ,or collaborated with other organizations to hold a variety of different programs — from cultural exchanges to language, science and business lectures to social events and sporting programs. For potential new members, visit:
www.friendsofcroatia.org
NEFC is a proud sponsor of the Croatian School of Boston — an independent non-profit educational organization whose main purpose is to teach and perpetuate the Croatian language, culture and tradition respecting the multicultural structure of both Croatian and American societies. For more information and to enroll, visit: www.croatianschoolofboston.org