Yes, there was a referendum and Croats have been asked if they wish to join European union. As widely reported, 66% of those who voted said yes, we want to join EU. That first impression is implying that after almost a century Croatian people decided to leave behind a memory of traumatic 20th century union experiment in the south of Europe. Beside that they decided as well to join EU after only 20 years of independence. Some will go that far and say, Croats will join the European union they were not part of since 1918, whatever the reasons.

But, once one looks closely at the numbers you will find out that only 44% of Croats voted on this referendum. 15% of all Croats were against and only 29% of all Croats were for joining the European Union.

What does, or does NOT think the majority, 56% of Croats?

Whatever the reason, how did majority of Croats forget what they were fighting for only 17 years after the aggression on Croatia and the War of independence ended? After 72 years of one or another kind of a dictatorship, unwelcome union ended in 1991 and with democracy was gained freedom to vote. That freedom was exercised in a high numbers on first few elections and the referendum of Independence held in 1991? How is possible that democratic vote became so unimportant to Croatian people after such a short time span and why?

Roof of St. Marc, Zagreb, depicting the coats of arms of Croatia, Dalmatia, Savonia, and Zagreb

Should we look at the problem in the leadership, people who ran the country in the past 17 years since the War of independence ended?

Who are the people Croats are voting for in the past 17 years? By looking at their names, chances are slim to non when voting to find the name of a politician who hadn’t been in some kind of a political position during the communist era, no matter the party she or he is in now. Is it possible that Croats had enough of this people, their empty promises, failed attempts at job creation and corruption that reminds them of those old days prior to 1990 when those same people predominantly followed orders from Belgrade, communist doctrine and were running socialist economy, from 1945 until its final collapse in 1989.

Most important question that arises is – How did they succeed to get majority of Croats, who were for EU just two decades ago in such a large numbers, to, not only not to care about EU but, it looks like, they no longer care about future of Croatia as well, at least 56% of those old enough to vote but didn’t, and 15% who said NO to EU?

Are the Croatian politicians only ones to blame?

A lot happened since first democratic elections in the Spring of 1990 and 2012 referendum, in some instances of a great importance to the Croatian people. Croats may felt that EU, and in some cases rest of the World, have turned their back on them and have made unjust decisions, some of them very recently.

What external reasons got to 71% of Croats?

What decisions EU, World and International community have made in the past 22 years that majority of Croats may not like?

First and obvious one is arms embargo on Croatia during the War of independence while under aggression by one of the largest armies in Europe at the time.

Second could easily be, most recently, EU member Slovenia’s blockade of EU talks until Croatia puts aside the Law of the Sea Convention so through the arbitrage Slovenia gets a chance to get part of the northern Adriatic sea that otherwise they can’t get or does not belong to them in any way they put it.

Third one may be most important to the Croatian people. ICTY prosecution of defenders of Croatia that ended finally with a jail sentence in 2011 for Croatian top generals, as well statement that military action named Storm’95 (Oluja ’95), that finally ended 5 years of aggression and occupation of 35% of Croatian territory, where from around 400.000 Croatian people were forcefully expelled and 15.000 killed, is a “criminal enterprise“. This is the case, while, one can clearly see that action Storm’95 brought the peace to Croatia but also played an important part that brought the end to a 4 year long war against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Forth?

Let’s be realistic, who else on Earth would except this decision by ICTY as just by looking what enemy has done to Croatian people from 1990-95? Croatian army brought the freedom in 1995 to its land and people full 50 years after most of EU countries gained their freedom. All was done in a few days of a military action that has produced a minimal casualties on enemy side and without a need to attack the aggressor country or to bombarded it into a submission, as the rest of the world does in some cases, even in that region.

Closer look at democracy in action

Important decision is based on a democratic vote on referendum.
Most of those who voted got their way – something 56% of Croats can learn from.

But, question remains, 56% of population that did not vote plus 15% who voted NO are the large majority of eligible voters of population in this case, but, as it looks like, only 29% of population is enough to decide the future of a country, in democracy?

Is there a place in democracy for words like those made by Croatian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vesna Pušić, who publicly said, few days before the referendum, “vote yes or there will be no retirement check next month”?

Let’s hope, lesson learned!

More photos from Croatia…

Graffiti art?

Some will say, most of graffiti, especially tagging, are pure vandalism, more or less tolerated by society because some think that it can’t be stopped or dealt with, while others are calling for a number of different solutions.

Graffiti in action

While every artist out there, who had expressed her/himself publicly at some point in her/his life, by quickly scrambling an art work on privately or publicly owned wall, in the late hours of the night, will stand their ground and argue that on display is an art piece, looks like that rest of urban population, especially those directly affect, can’t and won’t accept it as such. As much I understand, in question is not individual artistic ability out there and hours spend on creation of a graffiti but location, location, location.

To get more real on the topic with real life situation, here is an example from Montreal – graffiti wall against tagging!

Graffiti wall against tagging

Few years back I read somewhere; “then, give us a wall where we can freely express ourselves”. City council responded to this positively and had designated free for all graffiti wall. Wall has been used over and over again. Sometimes, while driving by in two consecutive days, you could see new graffiti pooping up over those graffiti that were still not dry. One would think that new graffiti and tagging of every clean object (white canvas) out there stopped, especially in immediate proximity to the graffiti wall.

Graffiti wall no more!

Did graffiti wall in question help?

After few years, came as a surprise to some, that wall was repainted and sign on the same wall basically explained that because new graffiti and tags are constantly pooping up everywhere, even on properties surrounding the graffiti wall, it will no longer serve for this purpose. Wall has been repainted and mural (another graffiti) has been created.

Conclusion would be that, graffiti wall did not work and graffiti mural is an art measure that prevents vandalism, one that graffiti wall should have in the first place. As result, everyone who does not want graffiti anywhere, on private or public property, has to live with a new reality – new solution.

On the other hand, graffiti artists are back to square one, when opportunity presents white canvas, everything goes, if nothing else then a small tag, not a graffiti some will say, one that should not bother anyone, right?

Does “graffiti art”, so called murals, prevent vandalism? Do you think it can be put to the stop this kind of artistic expression, also called vandalism by some? Is there a difference in between taggers and graffiti artists?

Time does not stand still

In an otherwise peaceful park,
flowers will grow,
kids will play,
but, even there,
one cycle bike pedal makes
will reveal more about the world we live in today.

Nothing changes on New Year’s day!

Throughout the years we have collected, from our friends and through your submissions, translations of how to say the phrase Merry Christmas on, at the moment, thirty languages.

Merry Christmas on thirty different languages:

* Jesus, Mary and Joseph

1. Afrikaans: Geseënde Kersfees!
2. Albanian: Gezur Krislinjden!
3. Armenian: Shenoraavot Nor Dari!
4. Bulgarian: Vasel Koleda!
5. Croatian: Sretan Božić!
6. Czech: Veselé Vánoce!
7. Danish: Glaedelig Jul!
8. Dutch: Vrolijk Kerstfeest!
9. English: Merry Christmas!
10. Estonian: Rõõmusaid jõulupühi!
11. Finnish: Hyvää Joulua!
12. French: Joyeux Noël!
13. German: Fröhliche Weihnachten!
14. Greek: Kala Hristouyienna!
15. Hungarian: Kellemes Karácsonyt!
16. Icelandic: Gleđileg Jól!
17. Irish: Nollaig Shona Duit!
18. Italian: Buon Natale!
19. Latvian: Prieci’gus Ziemsve’tkus!
20. Norwegian: God Jul!
21. Polish: Wesołych Świąt!
22. Portuguese: Feliz Natal!
23. Spanish: Feliz Navidad!
24. Swedish: God Jul!
25. Romanian: Craciun fericit!
26. Russian: Rozdjestvom Hristovim!
27. Slovak: Vesele Vianoce!
28. Slovenian: Srečen Božić!
29. Serbian: Hristos se rodi!
30. Turkish: Mutlu Noeller!

Christmas is Christian holiday celebrated every year on the 25th of December. On Christmas day is celebrated birth of Jesus, Son of God…

* Photo archive: Saint Joseph’s Oratory (photos)…

Part of our series on establishing online presence…

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Installing OIOpublisher ad manager for the first time was simple task as much is setting it up. If you are using for an example WordPress for your blog, OIOpublisher ad manager can be installed as another WP plug-in. Similes integration with half a dozen of online banking payments, including PayPal and Google checkout, among others, makes account creation and payment for your future clients a breeze. Once you own this ad system, on OIOpublisher.com you’ll find comprehensive tutorials and community forum where you’ll find answers to all the questions you may have. As for anything else, before you buy – try to View the Demo on their web site.

Hope this short intro to OIOpublisher ad manager helps you in building and growing your business.

Also, travel notes from the Laurentians…

Location: Mont Tremblant, Quebec, Canada
Camera: kB
Recorded: 2011
Video editing: 2011 by kB
Length: 1:56 min.
Premiere: 2011

Montreal Botanical Garden - Japanese garden

Our short video clip was shoot in the summer of 2011. Video is featuring only a small part of Montreal botanical garden, its exhibition greenhouses, rose garden, aquatic garden, spectacular Japanese garden and outside of Insectarium. Despite, it gives an introduction to a great collection of mostly plant, insect and some animal species from all corners of the world, all in one place.

Botanical garden in Montreal is a great place to visit at any time of the year! More in Montreal…

The Beckerath organ in Saint Joseph's Oratory basilica

Saint Joseph’s Oratory started as a chapel build by brother André Bessette who decided to dedicate it to St. Joseph to who he credited his healing power.

Brother André Bessette was canonized on the October 17, 2010, on Saint Peter’s Square in Rome, by Pope Benedict XVI.

Since the early days many pilgrims left thousands of crutches at the Basilica, that are on display in older section of oratory.

Saint Joseph’s Oratory, one of the better know symbols of Montreal (discover), located on the north slope of Mont Royal, is also the largest church in Canada.

Saint Joseph’s Oratory basilica photo gallery

Visit online;
L’Oratoire Saint-Joseph du Mont-Royal, Montréal

Jesus, detail from Saint Joseph's Oratory basilica

More on Mont Royal:

Ice skating rink beside Beaver lake on Mont Royal is also featured on our video…

On the north-west side of Mont Royal is located cemetery – also last resting place for fallen Canadian soldiers going back to late 19th and early 20th century – honored every year on the Remembrance day…

If you decide to get involved and experience to the fullest weeks heading to Halloween and Halloween night itself, you’ll need few basic ingredients beside being open minded. You should definitely start preparation with a scary, funny or favorite fiction or real life character mask  or costume.

Halloween night with great neighbors who would like to have us for a drink around midnight on Halloween night

More or less scary home decorations are must have if you are playing a scary but friendly host who will be generously handing out colorful candies. In case you are one who is heading out for some  “trick or treating” then neighbors who think alike and aim to scare you, as well who like dangerous “types” coming over would complete the picture of a typical Halloween night.

Treats usually given at the door are candies and all that fun is often shared with friends you can count on.

House or yard Halloween decorations could be bought in your local store but you can also use seasonal farm produce like colorful corn, corn stems, old clothes filed with the hay etc. to decorate. Of course, most popular decorative seasonal produce of the farm for Halloween are pumpkins and Jack O’ Lantern they become in creative hands.

Photos gallery…

… is featuring Halloween decoration on October 31st and pumpkin picking on the Quinn Farm, in the month of October.

Ideas for pumpkin carving… in to Jack O’ Lantern!

Enjoy, have fun and great trick-or-treating!

When all done with pumpkin carving, gather some friends and adventure begins on the October 31st, with an optional full Moon on the night sky.

If you are asking yourself where to start, head out and get some pumpkins, then look bellow through our pumpkin carving suggestions…

Where to start?

Idea for pumpkin carving you’ll not find in your nose!

Use your brain, use your brain, or…

Trick-or-treating practice on Halloween in a nutshell…

Pumpkin Carving Idea #0007: Painted pumpkin – a cat

Pumpkin Carving Idea #0006: Famous movie character

Pumpkin Carving Idea #0005: Ghost Jack O’ Lantern

Pumpkin Carving Idea #0004: Haunted house Jack O’ Lantern

Pumpkin Carving Idea #0003: One tooth Classic Jack O’ Lantern

Pumpkin Carving Idea #0002: Cannibal Jack O’ Lantern

Pumpkin Carving Idea #0001: Three eyed Scarface Jack O’ Lantern

Happy and safe trick-or-treating!