On its 178th anniversary, Matica Hrvatska was praised for its great role in history
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ZAGREB, February 13 (Hina) – Prime Minister Andrej Plenković said on Tuesday that Matica Hrvatska (MH), one of the oldest Croatian cultural and publishing organizations, played an important role in all turning points in national history.
Speaking in Zagreb at the ceremony marking the 178th anniversary of the foundation of that association, Plenković recalled the role that the Motherland of Croatia played in the national awakening and national revival in the 19th century and later in the period of Croatian independence in the early 90s of the last century.
In the current time of rapid changes and a globalized world, preservation of national identity is one of the key challenges facing the Croatian people today, Plenković said.
The association operates in 130 cities and towns in Croatia and abroad, which enables it to feel the pulse of the Croatian people, Plenković said, praising the members and officials of MH for their engagement in the social, cultural and political development of Croatia.
Since the country’s independence, MH has published more than 7,000 books and organized more than 1,000 cultural events, he pointed out, highlighting the publication of three MH magazines: Vijenca, Kola and Hrvatske revija.
The Prime Minister said that in the last three years, his Government has financially supported the activities of the Ministry of Health by allocating HRK 19 million.
Matica Croatian, a non-profit and non-governmental Croatian national institution, was founded in 1842 by prominent members of the Illyrian movement during the Croatian National Revival. The aim of Matica is to promote national and cultural identity in art, science and literature and to encourage the development of public and social life.
In 1972, after the Yugoslav communist persecution of Croatian students and the suppression of the Croatian Spring cultural and political movement, Matica hrvatska was dissolved and prohibited from operating on January 11, 1972. Its premises and archives were taken over by the police, and movable assets were taken over. partly confiscated, and partly transferred to the Yugoslav Academy of Sciences and Arts. Matica was stigmatized, and many of her associates were imprisoned, persecuted or exiled.
After the democratic changes in 1989, Matica resumed its work on December 8, 1990. Today, it has 130 branches in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and abroad.
Matica Hrvatska played an important role in the standardization and promotion of the Croatian language.