Prizes for the Day of Koprivnica

The Podravka Association of Veterans, Invalids and Widows of the Homeland War organized a unique literary awards ceremony connected with the theme of the Homeland War, entitled “We were the first when the need arose”.

Among some 30 works entered, the members of the Jury, President Darko Marinac, Mladen Pavković, Zlatko Tomičić, Josip Palada and Mara Bareza, selected as best “Vukovarski deveti krug” (“The Ninth Circle of Vukovar”) by Miljenko Miljković. This is the author’s first book.

“This noble initiative of Podravka and its veterans which focuses on literature dealing with Croatian suffering is an honour for our company because it allows us to participate and help all those who have given everything for a free and independent Croatia”, stressed the President of the Management Board of Podravka, Darko Marinac.

The event was enhanced by the performances of Ivica Percl and Slavko Marušić, an actor from Vukovar, while Mr Darko Marinac presented a diploma and a financial award to the author. Visibly touched, Miljenko Miljković thanked everybody and said: “I personally cherish this award, but I primarily share it. I also share all the joy and all the happiness of this award with those who, like me, went through the hell of the Serbian camps. I share it with my brothers-in-arms, with my fellow citizens of Vukovar, with all the victims of the Homeland War, and especially with those who are no longer among us”.

On the occasion of the Day of Koprivnica, the Town Prizes were awarded at a special meeting of the Town Council. The world acclaimed scientist, researcher and sportsman, Prof. Dr. Žarko Dolinar was appointed honorary citizen of Koprivnica. The Town Life-Achievement Award was given to the former General Manager of Podravka, Pavle Gaži, while Podravka’s Fund for the Support of the Seriously Ill received the Town Medal. This is the first and only fund of its kind in Croatia, established on 12th April 1994. So far, the Fund has helped in more than 400 cases, allocating for this purpose more than 5 million kuna.