Brief History - Development of Canadian Studies
Canadian Studies (CS) is not new to Croatia. Before the disintegration of Yugoslavia in the 1990s the Yugoslav Canadian Studies Association included a number of Croatian academics. Moreover, over the years a considerable number of Canadian writers have visited Croatia (among them Margaret Atwood, Barry Callaghan, Janet Kulyk Keefer, Leon Rooke, Carol Shields) and in 1990 Northrop Frye was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Zagreb. Unfortunately, the collapse of Yugoslavia coupled with the retirement of many professors resulted in a cessation of Canadian Studies activities. Since Ambassador Snider arrived in Croatia, he set the revival of the Canadian Studies Program as one of his priorities. This led the Canadian Embassy to invite Don Sparling, as Convenor of the Central European Steering Committee for Canadian Studies, to visit Zagreb in March 2002. He met with many academics from the University of Zagreb as well as others interested in Canada and Canadian culture. The aim was to encourage the Croatian academics to renew the local tradition of CS. Since then, the first Canadian-related courses have begun to be offered at the university, while others have been enriched with Canadian content.
Present situation
Traditionally, CS activities have focussed on culture, in particular literature. In Croatia, interest extends beyond this area of study to include philosophy, law and political science. Canadian political interests in Croatia include the introduction of norms and values inherent in the Canadian social reality (e.g. dealing with diversity, tolerance, multiculturalism, democracy, good government, minority and human rights) that would help Croatia come to terms with its past in the re-construction of a stable, modern society.
At the present time a modest number of courses is offered at the MA and BA levels. There are currently no doctoral students writing on Canadian themes.
1. New Association for Canadian Studies in Croatia
The inaugural meeting of the Croatian Chapter of the Central European Association for Canadian Studies was held on Friday, March 13 in the Board Room of the University of Zagreb.
Prof. Dr. Ivo Josipovic of the Law Faculty was unanimously elected President. Prof. Josipovic has a long-standing interest in Canadian Studies. He played a significant role in the CIDA-funded “Judges’ Training Project” that is being run by Justice Michele Rivet, President of the Québec Human Rights Tribunal. In that context he researched the Canadian Charter of Human Rights and introduced it into course work in the Faculty of Law. He founded a law library based on donations from Canada which he offered as the Center for the Canadian Studies Croatian Chapter. Worthy of note as well is the fact that he is member of the Croatian Parliament, a composer of contemporary music and locally prominent in the academic and cultural communities.
Please find below a list of Croatian Canadianists (15) who joined the new Central European Association of Canadian Studies Association:
Bikic, Gorana Philosophy Faculty of the University of Zagreb,
French Literature Department
Budak, Neven Philosophy Faculty of the University of Zagreb,
Dean, History Department
Ciglar-Zanic, Janja Philosophy Faculty of the University of Zagreb,
Chair of English Literature Department
Domines, Martina Philosophy Faculty of the University of Zagreb
English Literature Department
Gjurgjan, Ljiljana Ina Philosophy Faculty of the University of Zagreb,
English Literature Department
Gracan, Giga Researcher & Translator
Josipovic, Ivo Faculty of Law, University of Zagreb
Criminal Law & Human Rights
Milardovic, Andelko Croatian Studies Faculty of the University of Zagreb
Canadian Political System
& Manager of Political Science Research Centre
Plestina, Dijana College of Wooster, Ohio, USA
Mine Clearing Adviser, MFA
Polak, Iva Philosophy Faculty of the University of Zagreb,
English Literature Department
Polic, Vanja Philosophy Faculty of the University of Zagreb,
English Literature Department
Puhovski, Zarko Philosophy Faculty of the University of Zagreb
Philosophy Department
Romic, Biljana Researcher & Translator
Safranek, Ingrid Philosophy Faculty of the University of Zagreb,
French Literature Department
Sveljo, Tamara Philosophy Faculty of the University of Zagreb,
Sociology Department
In addition, there are 26 new members who joined the Croatian Association for CS recently:
Bjelis, Aleksa University of Zagreb
Borsic, Luka Philosophy Institute
Cehulic, Lidija Faculty of Political Science, U of Zagreb
Jukic Greguric, Tatjana Philosophy Faculty, U of Zagreb
Kos, Damir Supreme Court
Kos, Jadranka Municipal Court of Zagreb
Kostadinov, Biljana Law Faculty, U of Zagreb
Kovacec, August Philosophy Faculty, U of Zagreb
Lupic, Ivan Philosophy Faculty, U of Zagreb
Ljubenko, Vlatka Canadian Embassy
Macek, Dora Philosophy Faculty, U of Zagreb
Mihic, Maja Center for Creative Alternatives
Oklopcic, Zoran Law Faculty, U of Zagreb
Ozura, Dubravka Croatian Composers’ Society
Petlevski, Sibila Art Academy & Croatian P.E.N.
Rodin, Sinisa Law Faculty, U of Zagreb
Stipanov, Josip National and University Library
Strabic, Jadranka XVIII. College
Sporcic Beti, Morena Municipal Court of Zagreb
Stopfer, Anera Philosophy Faculty, U of Zagreb
Stopfer, Irena University of Zagreb
Turkovic, Ksenija Law Faculty, U of Zagreb
Vidan, Gabrijela Philosophy Faculty, U of Zagreb
Vizek Vidovic, Vlasta University of Zagreb
Vrhovac, Yvonne Philosophy Faculty, U of Zagreb
Vukadinovic, Radovan Faculty of Political Science, U of Zagreb
University of Zagreb activities: teachers and courses taught
1) The participation of Croat teachers in the Grainau Conference has improved CS prospects:
Prof. Janja Ciglar-Zanic, Chair of the English Literature Department, has enriched her course in Post-colonial Literatures with more Canadian content, focussing on Margaret Atwood.
Prof. Ingrid Safranek, Chair of the French Literature Department, has begun to offer a course on Acadian Literature.
Other teachers who are teaching courses dealing with Canadian content:
Prof. Zarko Puhovski, Philosophy Faculty of U of Zagreb:
Political Theory
Prof. Dora Macek, Philosophy Faculty of U of Zagreb:
English Language Variants
Prof. Andelko Milardovic, Faculty of Croatian Studies, U of Zagreb:
Canadian Political System
Prof. Ivo Josipovic, Faculty of Law, U of Zagreb:
Canadian Charter of Human Rights, International Criminal Law
Notable event organized by the Philosophy Faculty of Zagreb:
1st Summer School in Canadian Studies; devoted to Canadian literature, civilization and culture, organized in June 2003 by Prof. Ingrid Safranek of the Dept of Romance Languages, which attracted nineteen students, most of them from the University of Zagreb, and is to be repeated this year - May 16-30, 2004 at the island of Rab.
2) CS Activities outside Zagreb University (June 2003-April 2004):
Croatian Center P.E.N. and Publishing House “Konzor” invited in June, 2003:
Barry Callaghan, Canadian writer: “Hogg”
Publishing House “Prometej” invited in November, 2003:
Erna Paris, Canadian writer; Book Promotion of a Croatian translation of “Long Shadows: Truth, Lies and History”
Publishing House “Profil International” published in December, 2003 in Pula:
Margaret Atwood: “Oryx and Crake”
Translation by Giga Gracan: Robertson Davies: “High Spirits (and similar apparitions)”
The appearance of these translations, sometimes in conjunction with visits by the authors themselves has been often marked by interviews or programmes on Croatian Radio 3: over twenty such programmes dedicated to Canadian literature and criticism have been broadcast under the guidance of Ms Biljana Romic, member of CEACS.
An additional new partner outside the Association is Prof. Luka Borsic of Institute for Philosophy. The Embassy supported recently the International Conference “Plato on Goodness and Justice” (3-7March), organized by the Society for the Advancement of Philosophy.
2. Conference participation - anticipated academic events in Croatia
1) May 16-30, 04 "Summer School" for CS at the island of Rab;
2 Canadian academics will be giving courses on English and French Canadian Literature; prof. Fulvio Caccia, University of Paris IX, and prof. Katalin Kurtosi, University of Szeged, identified with the help of Don Sparling and the CE Canadian Studies Network.
2) May 25-29, 04 International Conference “Libraries in the Digital Age - LIDA 2003" in Dubrovnik, organized by the Philosophy Faculty of Osijek; Ms. Qwynneth Evans, Media Awareness Network in Ottawa, is giving a lecture: How Librarians and the Media Awareness Network are Supporting Kids and their Parents in Canada”.
3) May 30, 2004 International Conference “NATO - Yes or No?”, organized by Prof. Milardovic from Political Science Research Center (& member of CEACCS & Croatian Association for Canadian Studies).
4) Nov 01-03,2004 International Canadian Studies Conference in Opatija, organized by Prof. Josipovic, President of the Croatian Association for CS & Canadian Judges. Since the Canadian judges are already coming to Opatija, Prof. Josipovic wishes to take advantage of their visit to organize the first Croatian CS Conference. This could be also a next meeting of regional represenatiteves of the new CE Association. A general topic, such as ”Transcultural relations between Canada and Croatia" seems appropriate, where professors from different disciplines could participate: Law (Canadian judges), Political Science and Canadian Literature (the three most important areas where Canadian content is developed in Croatia).
5) Nov ?, 2004 Prof. Régine Robin, University of Québec, has been invited by the Philosophy Faculty of the University of Zagreb to give lecture on Québec Literature.
6) Nov 05-11, 04 “Literature live” International Conference organized by the Croatian P.E.N. Center & Writers’ Society; Michael Ondatjee is coming to Zagreb. We would also like to up contact with M. Ondatjee and take advantage of his visit to Croatia to organize some other event developing values and human rights.
3. Academic publications
Books: “Arrest and Pre-trial Detention”, Prof.Dr. Ivo Josipovic, published by the University Library, 1998, Zagreb; Chapter: “The Specific Features of Canadian Regulation of Arrest, Pre-trial Detention and Bail”
“Canadian wrighters and books in Croatia”, published by the University Library, 2002, Zagreb
Articles: “The Language Politics in Quebec”, Prof.Dr. Vjekoslav Cosic, published by the University of Zadar, 1984, Zadar
“Tendention of Development of French Language in Quebec”, Prof.Dr. Vjekoslav Cosic, published by the University of Zadar, 1984, Zadar
“Frère Untel or Search for the Lost Identity”, Prof.Dr. Vjekoslav Cosic, published by the University of Zadar, 1990, Zadar
“Sociolinguistic Status of Croatian Immigrants to Canada”, Prof.Dr. Vjekoslav Cosic, published by the University of Zadar, 1990, Zadar
“About Robertson Davies”, Giga Gracan, “Gordogan”, Journal for literature and culture, no.41-42, 1995
“The Reviews on Stone Diaries” (by Carol Shield), Prof.Dr. Tatjana
Jukic, “Republika”, Journal for literature, no.3-4, 1999, Zagreb
“New Reviews on Stone Diaries” (by Carol Shield), Prof. Dr. Tatjana Jukic, “Republika”, Journal for literature, no.9-10, 1999, Zagreb
“The Robber Bride.. by Margaret Atwood”, Giga Gracan, “Dubrovnik”, Journal for literature, no.1-2, 1999
“Planet of Shampoos, about Douglas Coupland”, Maja Starcevic, “Quorum”, Journal for literature, no.2, 1999
“The History of Margarets”, review on “Alias Grace” (by M. Atwood), Prof.Dr. Tatjana Jukic, “Republika”, Journal for literature, no.3-4, 2000, Zagreb
“Decision on Separation of Québec: constitutional and international legal aspects”, Prof. Zoran Oklopcic, “Journal of Law Faculty of the University of Zagreb, vol.54, no.1, 2004, Zagreb
4. Visiting lecturers
1986 Greg Gatenby
1987 Barry Callaghan
Frank Davey
1988 Myrna Kostash
1989 Patrick Lane, Greg Gatenby, Sean Virgo, Lorna Crozier, Barry Callaghan
1990 Northrop Frye
1994 Janice Kulyk Keefer
1997 Leon Rooke
1998 Barry Callaghan, Nicole Brossard
2001 Serge-Patrice Thibodeau
Barry Lord, Expert on administration of museums
2002 Guy Gavriel Kay
Stephen Scobie
Stephen Wright
Don Sparling, Masaryk Univerity, Czech Republic
2003 Barry Callaghan
Fulvio Caccia, Michel Erman, University of Paris, France
Garry Neil, Coordinator of the International Network for Cultural Diversity
Sheila Copps, Minister of Canadian Heritage, DFAIT
Erna Paris
2004 Raoul Boudreau, University of Moncton, Canada
5. Grants
Only Goverment grants (year 2003-2004):
ACE - Discretionary grant for academics traveling to Rab Summer School for Canadian Studies, June 1-15, 2003; $1000
ACE -Discretionary Grant to fund travel of Prof. Ivo Josipovic to Grainau Conference, Feb 20-23, 2004; $250
ACE -Discretionary Grant to help the Philosophy Institute to organize the International Conference “Plato on Goodness and Justice”, March 3-7, 2004; $1000
REB -Public Diplomacy Fund to finance the travel of Prof. Raoul Boudreau to give lectures during the Francophonie Week in Zagreb, March 17-25, 2004; $2300 (Budget for Regional Project: Austria, Serbia & Montenegro, and Croatia)
6. Young Canadianists
Students and researchers doing BA and MA theses:
BA theses: Ana Sertic, “The English Language Variants”, Philosophy Faculty, University of Zagreb, 2004; Supervisor: Prof.Dr. Dora Macek
Ana Rundek, “The French Canadian Language, Philosophy Faculty, University of Zagreb, 2004; Supervisor: Prof.Dr. Drazen Varga
Marija Eva Raic, “Code-Switching among Canadian Croatians”,
Philosophy Faculty, University of Zagreb, 2003; Supervisor: Prof.Dr. Dora Macek
Jelena Pranjic, “A Comparison of Canadian with British and American English”, Philosophy Faculty, University of Zagreb, 2004; Supervisor: Prof.Dr. Dora Macek
Maja Sunjic, “A Canadian English”, Philosophy Faculty, University of Zagreb, 2004; Supervisor: Prof.Dr. Dora Macek
Domagoj Coric, “Margaret Atwood”, Philosophy Faculty, University of Zagreb, 1999; Supervisor: Prof.Dr. Janja Ciglar-Zanic
Vesna Ozegovic, “Female Feminists Fatal”, Philosophy Faculty, University of Zagreb, 2003; Supervisor: Prof.Dr. Janja Ciglar-Zanic
Tina Kovac, “The Stone Diaries by Carol Shields”, Philosophy Faculty, University of Zagreb, 2003; Supervisor: Prof.Dr. Janja Ciglar-Zanic
There are at least 4 students per year writing a BA theses in Margaret Atwood.
MA theses: Biljana Tomljanovic, “Asymmetrical Federalism - the Canadian Case”, Faculty of Law, University of Zagreb, 1990; Supervisor: Prof.Dr. Smiljko Sokol
Zoran Oklopcic, “Reading Between the Lines: Is there a Theory in the Secession Reference?”,
Central European University in Budapest, 2002; Supervisor: Prof.Dr. Nenad Dimitrijevic
MA level course: Prof.Dr. Tatjana Jukic Greguric,
Philosophy Faculty, U of Zagreb,
is starting a new course for postgraduate students entitled “Historiographic Metafiction”, which includes Margaret Atwood
7. Cultural activities related to Canada
Jun 30, 2004 Exhibition & concert of Jennifer Garrett, Canadian painter at the Art Gallery in Sveta Nedjelja
Jun 14-19, 2004 16th World Festival of Animated Film; 8 films from National Film Board of Canada will be presented
Jul 24, 2004 “Daniel Léveillé Dance”, Canadian dance group is performing at the International Dance Festival in St. Vincent
Nov 18-21, 2004 “3rd Zagreb World Music Festival Nebo”, The Nunavut
Throat Singers” & presentations of Inuit culture and language to the students of linguistics on University of Zagreb and Ethnographic Museum in Zagreb
8. Translations and special issues of journals
A surprising number (44) of translations of works by Canadian authors have been
published in Croatia, many of them by or in cooperation with academics:
1) Anthology of Canadian Short Stories, Branko Gorjup and Ljiljanka Lovrincevic,
Zagreb: Nakladni zavod Matice hrvatske, 1991
2) ALEXANDER, J. Cynthia, “Digital Democracy”, Hrvoja Heffer, Osijek - Zagreb - Split, Pan Liber, 2002
3) ATWOOD, Margaret, “Alias Grace”, Nedjeljka & Janko Paravic, Zagreb: Fidas, 1998
4) ATWOOD, Margaret, “Surfacing”, Nedeljka Paravic, Zagreb: Mladost, 1991
5) ATWOOD, Margaret, “The Robber Bride”, Giga Gracan, Zagreb: Znanje, 1999
6) ATWOOD, Margaret, “The Handmaid’s Tail”, Nedeljka Paravic, Zagreb: Globus, 1988
7) ATWOOD, Margaret, “Oryx and Crake”, Marko Maras, Zagreb: Profil International, 2004
8) BENEDICT, Bozidar D., “The Projectionist”, Bozica Cikusa, Zagreb: Stari grad, 2000
9) BENEDICT, Bozidar D., “The Nobleman”, Bozica Cikusa, Zagreb: Stari grad, 2001
10) BENEDICT, Bozidar D., “Collection of Works-Trgovci dusama”, Bozica Cikusa, Zagreb: Stari grad, 1998
11) CALLAGHAN, Barry, “Collection of Short Stories-Crni smijeh”, Zdenka Drucalovic, Zagreb: Konzor,
1998
12) CALLAGHAN, Barry, “Hogg: poems and drawings”, Giga Gracan, Borivoj Radakovic, Zagreb: Konzor, 1999
13) COHEN, Loenard, “Beautiful losers”, Milos Durdevic, Split: Feral Tribune, 1998
14) COUPLAND, Douglas, “Generation X”, Jelena Svilar, Koprivnica: Lora, 2001
15) COUPLAND, Douglas, “Microserfs”, Suzana Sesvecan, Zagreb: V. B . Z., 2002
16) DAVIES Robertson, “High Spirits (and similar apparitions)”, Giga Gracan, Zagreb: Artresor, 2004
17) DES JAKOVAC, Velimir, “Never Forgive, Never Forget”, Ivan Ott, Zagreb: Stih, 2002
18) ELLIS, Deborah, “The Breadwinner”, Lidija Vinkovic, Zagreb: Znanje, 2002
19) FRY, Earl H., “Anatomy of Criticism”, Giga Gracan, Zagreb: Golden marketing, 2000
20) FRY, Earl H., “Canadian Political System”, Hrvoja Heffer, Osijek-Zagreb-Split: Pan Liber, 2002
21) HAILEY, Arthur, “Hotel”, Nada Soljan, Zagreb: Znanje, 1971
22) KAY, Guy Gavriel, “Lord of Emperors”, Martina Anicic, Zagreb: Algoritam, 2001
23) KAY, Guy Gavriel, “The Lions of Al-Rassan”, Milena Benini-Getz, Zagreb: Algoritam, 2001
24) KAY, Guy Gavriel, “Sailing to Sarantirum”, Martina Anicic, Zagreb: Algoritam, 2001
25) KAY, Guy Gavriel, “The Song to Arbonna”, Martina Anicic, Zagreb: Algoritam, 2002
26) KAY, Guy Gavriel, “Tigana”, Kolumbina Bencevic, Zagreb: Algoritam, 1996
27) LOWRY, Malcolm, “Under the Volcano”, Luko Paljetak, Zagreb: Sveucilisna naklada Liber, 1981
28) MONTGOMERY, Lucy Maud, “Anne of Avonlea”, Bozica Jakovlev, Zagreb: V. B. Z., 1997
29) MONTGOMERY, Lucy Maud, “Anne of Green Gables”, Darko Brdaric, Zagreb: V. B. Z., 1997
30) O’BRIEN, Michael David, “Father Eliah- an Apocalypse”, Mijo Pavic, Split: Verbum, 2002
31) ONDATJEE, Michael, “Anil’s Ghost”, Dragan Koruga, Zagreb: SysPrint, 2001
32) ONDATJEE, Michael, “The English Patient”, Omer Lakomica, Rijeka: Otokar Kersovani, 1997
33) ONDATJEE, Michael, “Running in the Family”, Biljana Romic, Zagreb: Konzor, 2001
34) ONDATJEE, Michael, “Collected Works of Billy Kid”, Ljiljanka Lovrincevic, Zagreb: Konzor, 1995
35) ONDATJEE, Michael, “Coming through slaughter”, Ljiljana Scuric, Zagreb: Mozaik knjiga, 1997
36) ROOKE, Leon, “Collected Works”, Biljana Romic, Branko Gorjup, Zagreb: Konzor, 1997
37) SETON, Ernest Thompson, “Wild Animals at Home”, Vlatko Saric, Zagreb: Mladost, 1964
38) SHIELDS, Carol, “The Stone Diaries”, Blanka Pecnik-Kroflin, Zagreb: Algoritam, 1997
39) VAN HERK, Aritha, “Judith”, Livija Kroflin, Zagreb: August Cesarec, 1982
40) GREAT Safari through the English Language, Dragan Koruga and Igor Stiks, Zagreb: Naklada MD, 2001
41) WHITE, John, “The Sword Bearer”, Bruna Filli-Teresak, Zagreb: STEPress, 2002
Croatian Editions of French books:
42) DAVIDTS, Jean-Pierre, “Le petit prince retrouvé”, Ita Kovac, Zagreb: Izvori, 1998
43) MARIE de l`Incarnation, “Le témoignage”, S. Klaudija Duran, Split: Samostan Sv. Klare, 2002
44) THERIAULT, Yves, “Agakuk”, Srecko Dzamonja, Zagreb: Znanje, 1960
Translations of works by Canadian authors in Journals (17)
1) ATWOOD, Margaret, “Morning in the Burned House”, Damir Sodan, Quorum: Journal for Literature, 1997, no.1
2) ATWOOD, Margaret, “Extracts from the Robber Bride”, Igor Grbic, Quorum: Journal for Literature and Science, 1999, no.4
3) BASIC, Marija, “The Canadian Trio”, Usponi: Journal for Literature and Culture, 1998, no.14
4) BASIC, Marija, “Raymond Souster: combination of traditional and modern”, Usponi: Journal for Literature and Culture, 1998, no.14
5) CALLAGHAN, Barry, “From Hogg”, Giga Gracan, Republika: Journal for Literature, 1998, no.5/6
6) COWBOY Junkies (rock band), Neven Leskovar, Quorum: Journal for Literature, 1990, no.4
7) DAVIES, Robertson, “The Diary od Samuel Marchbanks”, Giga Gracan, Republika: Journal for Literature, 1993, no.½
8) DAVIES, Robertson, “How to construct the house to Live”, Giga Gracan, 15 dana: Journal for Art and Culture, 1991, no.3
9) DAVIES, Robertson, “The High Spirits”, Giga Gracan, Gordogan: Journal for Literature, 1995/1996, no.41/42
10) FERAL, Josette, “From Text to the Subject. Conditions of Writing and Speaking in Feminine Gender”, Lada Cale Feldman, Frakcija: Journal for Arts, 1999, no.12/13
11) KEEFER, Janice Kulyk, “The Crisis of Culture in a Canadian Way”, Giga Gracan, Lettre internationale: three-monthly european revue, 1994, no.13/14
12) ONDATJEE, Michael, “The Family Heritage”, Biljana Romic, Quorum: Journal for Literature, 1991, no.3
13) ONDATJEE, Michael, “Travel through Slaughter”, Slobodan Drenovac, Zbornik Dometi: literature, culture, social topics, 1993, no.1
14) SCHOEMPERLEN, Diane, “The Body Language: Illustrated Story”, Slobodan Drenovac, Rival: Journal for Literature, 1998, no.3/4
15) SKVORC, Boris, “Krleza in the Central European Context or How to Read Bogert”, Knjizevna revija: Journal for Literature and Culture, 1997, no.3/6
16) VANDERHAEGHE, Guy, “A Descending Man”, Dragan Koruga, Quorum: Journal for Literature, 1998, no.4
17) VIRGO, Sean, “Delivered with One`s Own Hand”, Slobodan Drenovac, Knjizevna Rijeka: Journal for Literature and Literary Critics, 1998, no.3/4
9. Other
A bimonthly activity
In cooperation with The Embassy, in the context of broadening and deepening contacts
with Croatian academics, journalists and other opinion-formers, we would like to launch
a bimonthly series of informal round tables on current events, cultural affairs, values.
The significance of Canadian Studies in Croatia goes beyond aesthetic appreciation and
includes matters of practical importance to Croatia’s further development such as
cultural diversity, constitutional and political flexibility in the light of rapidly changing
circumstances, the importance of the virtues of tolerance and civitas, and similar
matters.