The news in Croatian

U Škabrnji su se predsjednik Milanović i zamjenik premijera Butković susreli prvi put nakon nesuglasica . Oni su obilježili Dan sjećanja na žrtve Domovinskog rata. Skup je podsjetio na žrtve rata i naglasio važnost mira za budućnost. Oko 20,000 ljudi odalo je počast poginulima.

 

Translation

In Škabrnja, President Milanović and Deputy Prime Minister Butković met for the first time after their disagreements. They were commemorating the Day of Remembrance for the victims of the Homeland War. The gathering served as a reminder of the war's victims and emphasized the importance of peace for the future. Approximately 20,000 people paid tribute to those who had fallen.

Exercise: Text comprehension

Question 1: Who reunited with Butković?

Milanović reunited with Butković.

Question 2: Where did the reunion take place?

The reunion took place at the Škabrnja Memorial.

Exercise: Vocabulary

(m.) - deputy

(f.) - disagreement

- mark

 

(f.) - victim

- emphasise

(f.) - tribute

 

Read the full story

▌19/11/2024

In a significant event in Škabrnja, Croatian President Zoran Milanović and Deputy Prime Minister Oleg Butković met for the first time since their public disputes during the parliamentary election campaign. This notable encounter took place during the commemoration of the victims of the Croatian War of Independence.

Škabrnja, on 18th November, marked the 33rd anniversary of the tragic events of 1991, where 43 civilians and 15 Croatian defenders were killed by forces under the command of Ratko Mladić. This occasion, attended by approximately 20,000 people, remembered the sacrifices made during one of the war's most harrowing episodes.

Milanović and Butković Reunite at Škabrnja Memorial Milanović and Butković Reunite at Škabrnja Memorial (Illustration)

President Milanović participated in the procession to St. Luke’s cemetery, laying a wreath at the central cross in honour of the victims. Meanwhile, representing Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, Butković expressed, "Here is where my roots are, and I'm here every year to pay respect to all those who gave their lives in Vukovar and Škabrnja, but also across the country."

The event provided a poignant backdrop for Milanović and Butković, who had previously exchanged sharp words over allegations concerning conflicts of interest and personal family disputes. Despite their recent history, Butković emphasized the day’s focus on remembrance rather than political disputes, stating, "Today is not the time for political bickering; there is no place for it here."

The commemoration highlighted the importance of preserving the memory of those who sacrificed for Croatia's freedom. Butković stressed, "We must pass on to future generations that this freedom was earned through great hardship, hoping that such hatred and atrocities never occur again." The solemn occasion underscored a broader message of dignity, pride, and hope for a peaceful future.

 

Info: "Croatian Learner News" is a service from "Let's Learn Croatian", a language school dedicated to teaching Croatian. We offer various types of online courses, providing flexibility to suit different learning styles and needs. If you wish to learn Croatian in Croatia, explore our language holiday options for an immersive experience.

Advanced: Reports from Croatia