Croats in Serbia receive new cultural centre

The Croatian association "Šid" in Šid, a town in Serbia's northern province of Vojvodina, has received the keys to a house that, after renovation, will become its new headquarters, the local publication "Hrvatska riječ" reported.

Funding for the purchase and renovation was provided by the Croatian government as part of the project "Build a Mill Where There's Water", CE Report quotes HINA.

This is the third major project for Croats in Serbia, aiming to build and renovate seven "small Croatian centres" in Vojvodina, modelled after the Croatian Community Centre, Matica in Subotica.

“We believe that in a few years, this Matica will follow the same path as the one in Subotica, becoming a magnet for young people, a welcoming place, not only for members of our community but for all residents of Šid and the entire Srijem region," said Jasna Vojnić, president of the Croatian National Council (HNV) and member of the Croatian parliament.

Zorica Šafarik, head of the Croatian cultural society "Šid", thanked the Croatian government and the HNV for the purchase of the house.

According to the 2022 census, 1,249 Croats live in Šid, about 500 fewer compared to the 2011 census.

The "Build a Mill Where There's Water" project was launched in March 2024 with the signing of an agreement in Subotica between the HNV and the Central State Office for Croats Abroad.

The project includes the construction or purchase and renovation of seven buildings in seven locations across Vojvodina, which will serve as headquarters for local Croatian communities.

On the same day the keys to the new house were handed over, a formal event was held in Šid to mark the 125th anniversary of the birth of Croatian composer, conductor, and writer Stanislav Preprek.