The conference “Croatian Language and Culture Abroad: Exploring the Past, Present, and Future” has been officially opened.

On 3 November 2025, at the Faculty of Croatian Studies, University of Zagreb, the International Scientific-Professional Conference “Croatian Language and Culture Abroad: Exploring the Past, Present, and Future” was formally opened in the Zagreb Hall. The conference brings together domestic and international experts with the aim of promoting, preserving, and strengthening the Croatian language and cultural identity among the diaspora.
On behalf of the Faculty of Croatian Studies, the participants were welcomed by the Dean Dario Vučenović, PhD, Associate ProfessorExpressing his gratitude to all contributors and emphasising the importance of language in contemporary society, he stated: “Language is a powerful means of integration. For all those coming to Croatia as immigrants and members of the new workforce, knowledge of the Croatian language opens doors to the labour market, education, and social life, contributing to their successful integration into our community. May this conference serve as a fruitful forum for the exchange of ideas, research, and joint efforts in preserving and promoting the Croatian language and culture—the very foundation of our identity and our future.”

Addressing the attendees, Stjepan Šterc, PhD, Assistant Professorthe Special Advisor to the Minister at the Ministry of Demography and Immigration remarked: “The Croatian diaspora is our great wealth. Around 4.2 million people around the world speak some form of the Croatian language. They are like seeds scattered across the globe, and it is up to us to recognise this wealth and integrate it into the life of our homeland.”
The Director of the Directorate for the Implementation of Public Policies on Immigration Ivana Perkušić, conveyed the greetings of Minister Ivan Šipić and emphasised the importance of cooperation with the Faculty of Croatian Studies, stating: “The rich and comprehensive programme of this conference, encompassing numerous topics related to Croatian national identity, language, and culture in today’s global and digital environment, is of exceptional importance — both for the Republic of Croatia and for society as a whole.”

Representatives of the Integration Service of the Ministry of Demography and Immigration, Laura Kujundžić i Pablo Alejandro Sepúlvedapresented a projection featuring data on the return of young people and their growing interest in learning the Croatian language, as well as on the scholarships granted by the state for that purpose.

The Director of the Croatian Heritage Foundation Mr. Zdravko Milas highlighted the long-standing and successful cooperation with the Faculty of Croatian Studies, stating: “We are particularly pleased to be jointly opening new discussions concerning issues of the Croatian diaspora and minority communities, as well as the preservation of language and culture in Europe and overseas countries, including Croatian as a second or foreign language.”
On behalf of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, the participants were greeted by Academician Ranko MatasovićChatGPT said: , who reminded the audience of the importance of language in preserving identity, stating: “Someone once said that in a globalised world, language is our homeland in miniature. For the first generation of emigrants, language remains the final link with the homeland they left behind. But for the second, third, and even fourth generations, the role of language changes—yet it does not lose its importance; it becomes the very foundation of identity.”

On behalf of the Central State Office for Croats Abroad, the gathering was addressed by Milan Bošnjak, PhD, the envoy of State Secretary Zvonko Milas, who stated: “It is important for us to encourage the Croatian public to follow with equal attention what is happening within the Republic of Croatia and what is taking place among Croats abroad. Global Croatian unity is a sustainable paradigm of the Croatian nation!”

The Chair of the Conference Programme Committee Antonia Ordulj, PhD, Assistant Professor , she emphasised that the Croatian language holds deep emotional significance for emigrants, stating: “The Croatian language is a symbol of identity and belonging. Through it, we preserve our culture, history, and traditions. When we speak Croatian, we convey not only words but also the values deeply rooted in our nation. The Croatian language is the thread that binds us together—it is the home we carry in our hearts, wherever we may be.”

The first part of the conference was concluded by the Chair of the Organising Committee Rona Bušljeta Kardum, PhD, Associate Professor, who thanked the participants for their support and enthusiasm, stating: “Without your knowledge and love for the Croatian language and culture, this conference would not have been possible. May it bring us new insights, guidance for the future, and inspiration for continued collaboration.”

The conference is expected to host around one hundred participants and feature eighty presentations covering fifty-five topics within four thematic sections:
Croatian National Identity and Its Components
Croatian as a Second and Foreign Language in Croatia and Abroad
Croatian Diaspora Issues
Croatia in the Context of Economic and Demographic Changes

Throughout the conference, participants will explore possibilities for establishing systematic cooperation between educational, cultural, and scientific institutions in the homeland and Croatian communities around the world, with the aim of maintaining and strengthening national awareness. Special attention is devoted to the development of digital tools and resources for learning and studying the Croatian language and culture, tailored to different generations of emigrants. The discussions will also address the integration of foreigners into Croatia and their linguistic, pedagogical, and demographic perspectives.
The conference is held in both Croatian and English, and all registered participants have access to the online livestream and recorded presentations. Special sections are dedicated to young researchers and postdoctoral scholars whose work contributes to the study of contemporary aspects of the Croatian language and culture abroad.
The conference is expected to yield a series of concrete proposals and initiatives aimed at preserving and promoting the Croatian language and culture worldwide.

Links:
Conference Programme
Book of abstracts