“Little Croatia” created in Kraków

Following the initiative of the Honorary Consul of Croatia in Kraków Mr. Paweł Włodarczyk, the Kraków Bagry Lake has gained an international spot, the so-called Little Croatia. On 13 April 2021 an agreement on further co-operation in the implementation of a joint project of Kraków and Croatia was signed at the office of the Mayor of Kraków.

The agreement will enable the Consul to obtain funds for further activities related to the Little Croatia area. Several events are planned to be held in the coming months, including a "Croatian Picnic", a visit of an official delegation from Zagreb and opening of the Avenue of Croatian Stars.

After the location was chosen - the Bagry Wielkie Park - an international student design workshop was held in March 2017 with the participation of students from Croatian and Kraków universities (Kraków University of Technology). Its aim was to develop a concept for the development of the eastern area of the Bagry Wielkie urban park, together with the thematic area "Little Croatia". Within a few days five teams from Kraków and Croatia prepared concepts, which after being modified by professional architects, became the basis for the next stage, namely the elaboration of the construction project.

Construction work in the Little Croatia area has already been completed. The focal point is the Croatian Promenade, with information boards mapping the geographical location of the main Croatian cities, such as Zagreb, Pula, Opatija, Rijeka, Zadar, Trogir, Split and Osijek.

Little Croatia is one of the most spectacular projects carried out with the active participation of the Croatian Consulate but it is not the only one. A charity concert by the Croatian Song and Dance Ensemble Lado has been planned for June 29 at the ICE Kraków Congress Centre. The income will be partly donated to benefit the victims of the earthquake that struck Zagreb in 2020.

January 2021 marks the 10th anniversary of the Croatian Consulate in Kraków. During the decade of his mission Paweł Włodarczyk has carried out many projects in Kraków, as well as in Silesia and Podkarpacie Regions. However, it is Little Croatia that will become the most lasting and visible Croatian accent in Kraków. As soo as the pandemic allows it, we will be able to experience the Croatian climate in Kraków!

See photos taken at the meeting: OTOFOTOKRONIKA MIASTA KRAKOWA