Special session of City Council held in Dubrovnik

On the occasion of the Feast of Saint Blaise and the City Day, a special session of the City Council was held in Dubrovnik on Monday, where public recognitions were awarded. Apart from other distinguished guests, the attendees were also addressed by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Branko Bačić.

In his address, Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković emphasised that Dubrovnik highlights the importance of freedom in a unique way, elevating it to a pedestal and to a level of value that is sometimes taken for granted.

"Freedom did not come about by itself, nor does it endure on its own. It depends on people, on us who safeguard and defend it. These days we can see that freedom must very much be fought for - globally, but also in our own homeland. We thought that no one would ever again forbid others to speak, sing or celebrate what they wish. But clearly, those days have not yet arrived. With great wisdom, maturity, patriotism and faith, which have preserved us through the centuries, we must take care of freedom. We must allow everyone to openly express what they think, but also stand our ground, preserve our faith and Christian roots, our identity and our tradition," Jandroković said.

Prime Minister's envoy and Deputy Prime Minister Branko Bačić stated that Dubrovnik is a strong and successful champion of tourism, increasingly aware that success also entails responsibility towards space, heritage and the everyday life of its citizens.

"Today, Dubrovnik is oriented towards sustainable development and becoming a city tailored to people, especially young families. Only a city that is good to live in for its residents has a secure future. In strong partnership with the Croatian Government, numerous projects are being implemented, needed for decades in the Croatian south - from transport connectivity and motorway construction to new schools, kindergartens and investments in the hospital," Minister Bačić said.

“I will take this opportunity to recall capital investment realised jointly with the City and Dubrovnik-Neretva County. I will only emphasise a few - the Senior Centre, the reconstruction of the Dubrovnik General Hospital, energy renovation of the sports hall in Gospino polje, Police Administration buildings and Mokošica Primary School,” Minister Bačić said, recalling that the issue of protected tenants is also being dealt with in cooperation with the City of Dubrovnik, in such a way that new apartments will be constructed.

Dubrovnik Mayor Mato Franković stated that Dubrovnik is one of the leading cities in smart and sustainable urban development in Croatia and Europe.

“By systematically investing in Smart City solutions we have shown that technology is not the goal in itself, but it is rather a tool serving people and the community. The European title “Green Pioneer of Smart Tourism” confirms that Dubrovnik’s model of tourism management has become an example of good practice at the EU level,” Franković pointed out.

He recalled that the City of Dubrovnik pulled over 209 million euro of grants through European and national funds from 2017 to 2025.

Speeches were also given by City Council President Marko Potrebica and Dubrovnik-Neretva County Prefect Blaž Pezo.

Speaking on this occasion, County Prefect Pezo congratulated the leadership of the City on their dedication and systematic work in all areas, with particular emphasis on the importance of good-quality and partner collaboration between the City of Dubrovnik and Dubrovnik-Neretva County.

“That collaboration is not merely formal, it is meaningful, everyday and oriented towards specific results. It is precisely thanks to this synergy and support by the Government of the Republic of Croatia, headed by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, that still today we work together on projects with permanent value for our citizens. Because without our collaboration, coordination and joint advocacy, many of them would not have been possible. The construction of the new retirement home, the motorway and express road to the airport, developmental projects in Dubrovnik Port, the reconstruction of the Dubrovnik General Hospital, affordable housing projects and modern waste management systems - all of which are examples where jointly we create the foundations to a safer and better future. These are projects for people. For young families, for our elderly, for all those who call Dubrovnik and our county a home,” County Prefect Blaž Pezo said and, as part of another joint project - the Regional Centre of Competence in Tourism and Hospitality at Villa Čingrija - he announced free šporki makaruli for citizens as the County’s contribution to the Feast of Saint Blaise next year.

Dubrovnik Lifetime Achievement Awards were awarded to Lucijan Capurso and posthumously to Miljenko Bratoš and Slobodan Lang, while the 2025 Dubrovnik Awards were awarded to Boži Grčić, Dr. Nenad Jasprica, Dubrovnik Basketball Club, Andrija Seifried and Mirej Stanić.

Among others, the special session was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery, Minister of Culture and Media Nina Obuljen Koržinek, European Commission Commissioner Dubravka Šuica, Dubrovnik Bishop mons. Roko Glasnović, state secretaries and members of parliament, as well as representatives of religious communities and numerous other.

The Feast of Saint Blaise will be opened this afternoon, with the ceremonial release of doves and the raising of the banner of Saint Blaise in front of the so-called Parčeva Church.

On Tuesday, on the very City Day and the Day of Saint Blaise, a solemn mass will be celebrated in front of Dubrovnik Cathedral, followed by a procession through the city streets with relics and banners of the parishes that celebrate Saint Blaise.

On the last day of the Feast, on Sunday, February 8, a procession to Saint Blaise’s Hill will take place, after which the banner will be ceremonially lowered in front of the Saint’s church.

Source: HINA/MPGI

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