Zagreb Commemorates Kristallnacht Amid Rising Concerns

The news in Croatian

1. održati
   Izvesti događaj ili okupljanje; provesti nešto kako je planirano. ↩︎
2. spomen  (m.)
   Sjećanje na nekog ili nešto, često povezano s događajem ili osobom. ↩︎
3. mržnja  (f.)
   Snažan osjećaj neprijateljstva ili odbojnosti prema osobi ili grupi. ↩︎
4. skup  (m.)
   Okupljanje ljudi na određenom mjestu radi ostvarenja zajedničkog cilja. ↩︎
5. diskriminacija  (f.)
   Nepravedno razlikovanje, često prema karakteristikama poput rase, spola ili dobi. ↩︎
6. sudionik  (m.)
   Osoba koja aktivno sudjeluje u nekom događaju ili aktivnosti. ↩︎

Translation

Text comprehension

Question 1: Who organized the event in Zagreb to commemorate Kristallnacht?

Question 2: What did participants do to honor the victims?

Vocabulary

Croatian	English
održati	hold
spomen  (m.)	memory
mržnja  (f.)	hatred
skup  (m.)	gathering
diskriminacija  (f.)	discrimination
sudionik  (m.)	participant

Read the full story

In the heart of Zagreb, the Antifascist League of Croatia hosted a memorial event on Sunday to mark Kristallnacht, amidst international observance of the Day for the Fight Against Fascism and Antisemitism. This sombre occasion served not only as a tribute to the victims but also as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by the resurgence of hatred and extremism in today’s society.

The event, held in front of the monument dedicated to the victims of the Holocaust and Ustasha regime, was orchestrated under close police supervision. This location in Zagreb provided a poignant backdrop as participants gathered to reflect on the events of the fateful night of 9th to 10th November 1938, when the Nazi regime launched a violent pogrom against Jewish communities in Germany and Austria. This event became an ominous prelude to the systematic genocide of European Jews during the Holocaust.

Zoran Pusić, President of the Antifascist League, addressed the gathering, emphasising that the terror of Kristallnacht was not an isolated incident but rather the culmination of years of cultivated animosity towards Jewish citizens. Propaganda had portrayed them as a threat to the majority, leading to violence executed by radicalised youth and veterans. Pusić warned that such intolerance and prejudice could take hold anywhere if the signs of danger are not recognised and countered.

Pusić further highlighted the troubling trends within Croatian public discourse, pointing to the widespread acceptance and glorification of the Ustasha slogan “Za dom spremni“. He criticised those who trivialise or endorse such rhetoric, indicating a failure to learn from history’s dark chapters. He also noted the importance of distinguishing valid criticism of Israeli policies from antisemitism, underscoring the nuanced understanding required in addressing contemporary political issues.

The gathering in Zagreb also called attention to the enduring need for democratic societies to constantly identify and oppose violence and discrimination against the vulnerable and marginalized. The Antifascist League stressed that the effort to combat hate, intolerance, and exclusivity is ongoing and essential for the health of any community.

At the conclusion of the event, attendees lit candles in solemn remembrance of all victims of the Nazi and Ustasha regimes, symbolising a collective vow to keep the memory and lessons of Kristallnacht alive in the face of rising extremism worldwide.

Info: “Croatian Learner News” is a service from “Let’s Learn Croatian,” a language school that offers various types of online Croatian courses. For those wishing to learn Croatian in Croatia, our programmes provide an immersive experience that combines language learning with cultural exploration.