by croatiaweek
September 7, 2025
in
(Photo: Grad Osijek)
The eastern Croatian city of Osijek hosted a celebration marking the 1,100th anniversary of the Croatian Kingdom on Saturday, commemorating the legacy of King Tomislav and more than a millennium of Croatian statehood.
The event took place in King Tomislav Park, the symbolic site where a memorial linden tree was planted in 1925 to honour the kingdom’s 1,000th anniversary.
Citizens, dignitaries, and representatives from cultural, public and political life gathered to take part in the historic occasion.
The programme began with a ceremonial procession led by the Brotherhood of the Croatian Dragon, moving from Ante Starčević Square to King Tomislav Park.
(Photo: Grad Osijek)
(Photo: Grad Osijek)
Osijek Mayor and envoy of the Croatian Parliament President, Ivan Radić, expressed pride that Osijek was chosen to host the main commemoration.
He highlighted the symbolism of the linden tree planted a century ago as a sign of love and wisdom, and reminded those gathered of the responsibility to preserve heritage for future generations.
(Photo: Grad Osijek)
Quoting writer Josipa Glembay, he reflected on the meaning of 1,100 years in the span of history: “We are aware of the perspective of the past, because we cannot know where we are going if we do not know where we have been. We live in the present and create the future.”
(Photo: Grad Osijek)
County Prefect and envoy of the Croatian Prime Minister, Nataša Tramišak, emphasised the importance of preserving identity, faith, and culture.
(Photo: Grad Osijek)
(Photo: Grad Osijek)
She underlined the duty to continue developing Osijek, Slavonia, and Croatia for generations to come, while also recalling the role of Croatian defenders and the Homeland War as the foundation of today’s freedom.
Mislav Grgić, Grand Master of the Brotherhood of the Croatian Dragon, reminded the audience that 2025 has been declared the Year of the 1,100th Anniversary of the Croatian Kingdom, at the initiative of the Brotherhood and Matica hrvatska.
(Photo: Grad Osijek)
He compared the endurance of the Croatian people to the linden tree, which has witnessed both trials and triumphs.
(Photo: Grad Osijek)
Tihomir Florijančić, President of the Osijek City Council and Chair of the Organising Committee, pointed to Osijek and Slavonia’s historic role as guardians of national identity. He stressed that the coronation of King Tomislav was not only an act of power but a vow of survival and identity – values still safeguarded in the region today.
(Photo: Grad Osijek)
The cultural programme featured performances by the Croatian Choral Society Lipa, soloists from the Croatian National Theatre in Osijek, and a stirring rendition of “U boj! U boj!” from the opera Nikola Šubić Zrinski.
(Photo: Grad Osijek)
The commemoration concluded with a solemn blessing under the memorial linden tree, led by Auxiliary Bishop Ivan Ćurić.