Professor Snježana Prijić-Samaržija, Ph.D., University of Rijeka Rector, stayed in Dublin and Galway from 25 to 30 June 2019, on the occasion of celebrating Croatia’s Statehood Day, commemorating Croatia’s 1991 historic declaration of independence from the former socialist state of Yugoslavia. Madam Rector Prijić-Samaržija was a part of the Rijeka delegation that visited Galway, Rijeka’s partner city in the ECOC 2020 program.
The delegation included Mr. Vojko Obersnel, M.Sc., City of Rijeka Mayor, Mr. Andrej Poropat, President of the Rijeka City Council, Mr. Petar Škarpa, Rijeka Tourist Board Director, and representatives of the Rijeka 2020 Ltd. – Ms. Irena Kregar Šegota, Partnerships and Communications Director, and Mr. Dorian Celcer, Partnerships and Protocol Coordinator. The Rijeka delegation visited Galway and Dublin following the invitation from H.E. Mr. Ivan Mašina, Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to Ireland.
Following an inaugural event at EPIC (Irish Emigration Museum) in Dublin, the delegation made their way to the west coast for a day of music and other activities.
During her stay in Ireland, Madam Rector Prijić-Samaržija also met with Prof. Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, President of the National University of Ireland, Galway, and Prof. Daire Keogh, Ph.D., Deputy President of the Dublin City University.
Within the scope of this visit, an exhibition entitled ”Laval Nugent – Warrior and Collector” was opened, which also proved that Ireland and Croatia, Galway and Rijeka, are not only united by the title of European Capital of Culture, but also by the life and work of an important historical figure for both countries – the most influential Irishman in Croatia, Laval Nugent.
The exhibition was opened by Prof. Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, President of the National University of Ireland, Galway, Madam Rector Prijić-Samaržija, Mr. Mike Cubbard, Mayor of Galway, H.E. Mr. Ivan Mašina, Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to Ireland, and Mr. Vojko Obersnel, City of Rijeka Mayor.
