XIV Annual Festa sv. Vlaha 2005

February 05, 2005

THE LIBERTAS FOUNDATION AND BRENDA BRKUSIC RECOGNIZE FAMOUS ACTORS AT SV. VLAHO CELEBRATION IN LOS ANGELES

On Saturday, February 5, 2005, the Libertas Foundation held their 14th annual St. Blaise - Sv. Vlaho fundraiser gala in Los Angeles, California. A highlight of this year's unique event was an awards ceremony honoring non-Croatian “Friends of Croatia.” Filmmaker, Brenda Brkusic and Niko Hazdovac, President of the Libertas Foundation recognized actors Michael York, John Savage and Beata Pozniak for their dedication to Croatian cultural causes. York, Savage and Pozniak performed memorable roles in Brkusic's award-winning documentary film, "Freedom from Despair," a film that critics say masterfully exposes the roots of the 1990's conflict in the Balkans. The three actors received "Croatian Heart" awards sponsored by Brenda Brkusic for their participation in the film. Mr. Michael York also received a "Humanitarian" award sponsored by the Libertas Foundation for his work as Chairman of the "Rebuild Dubrovnik" committee during the war in Croatia.

The evening was hosted by Mr. Dominic Vlasic and over five hundred people attended this St. Blaise celebration including his excellency Neven Jurica - Croatian ambassador to the US, Sanja Bujas-Jurage - the Croatian Consul General of Los Angeles and Bozo Biskupic - the Croatian Minister of Culture, as well Academy Award winning filmmaker, David S. Ward, who served as mentor to Brenda Brkusic when she was editing “Freedom from Despair.”

“It was a unique opportunity to introduce the famous actors and David S. Ward to diplomats from Croatia. It was a chance to remind them that we Croatians here in the US are working together with non-Croatians in Hollywood to promote true Croatian history. Hopefully the government in Croatia will see what a great opportunity they too have to support our efforts and perhaps they will soon follow suit,” said Brenda Brkusic.

Dedicated volunteers prepared a delicious, traditional fish dinner and entertainment was provided by singer Drazen Zanko from Croatia and Duo “Adriatic.” The awards ceremony began after a memorable singing and dancing performance by the St. Anthony's children's school. Brkusic accepted the “Humanitarian” award and Milan Vukovic, President of the Croatian National Association, the “Croatian Heart” award on the behalf of Michael York who was unable to attend the event because he was directing a play. Everyone in attendance raised their wine glasses to toast the absent friend of Croatia.

The room went silent when Beata Pozniak and John Savage accepted their awards. Pozniak spoke of the last film that she shot in Poland before the borders opened. The film was written by a Croatian play write but since it was addressing the brutality of communist times, it was shot and put away on shelves for political reasons. This is why, she said, getting the message out about “Freedom from Despair” is important to her.

John Savage spoke of previously filming in Dubrovnik and being devastated when he heard the people there were being bombed in the 1990's. He questioned “where was America during all of this?” and called on the women in the room to take action as our only hope for the future of humanity.

Brkusic let it be known that Nenad Bach, who composed the music for the film, introduced her to these three actors a few years ago and helped her by recommending the film to them. “I believe their participation in the film has helped it to do well and that they will continue to be involved with Croatian projects from this point forward. We missed Nenad at the ceremony but kept his picture on our table as a reminder of his friendship. - it was truly a wonderful night!”

The Libertas Foundation is dedicated to raising money for charitable causes in Dubrovnik, Croatia, a city that was brutally shelled by Serbian attackers in the early 1990's and is now protected by UNESCO as a world heritage site.

PROGRAM

6:00 PM Holy Mass - Don Ivica Babić
6:30 PM Social Hour
7:30 PM Opening Ceremony
Procession of Sv. Vlaho Flag.
Welcome by “Festanjuli” of 2005

National Anthems
Blessing by Don Mate Bižaca
God Bless America by Ann Marie Boskovic

8:00 PM Dinner

8:30 PM St. Anthony’s Kolo Group “Croatia”

Brenda Brkusic: Award Presentation

Acknowledgement: Niko Hazdovac
President, Libertas Foundation

Introduction of guests of Honor:
Mrs. Sanja Bujas Juraga
Consulate General of the Republic of Croatia in Los Angeles
His excellency Neven Jurica
Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to the United States
Mr. Božo Biškupić
Minister of Culture of Republic of Croatia

9:00 PM Concert/Dance
DRAŽEN ŽANKO
DUO “ADRIATIC”
and special guests

STUDENTS
WHO RECEIVED SCHOLARSHIPS  IN 2004

1. Stijepo Mage
2. Ivo Marlais
3. Niko Lujo
4. Ivan Zec
5. Mišo Tepšić
6. Ivo Penetra
7. Petar Zlošilo
8. Anđela Kurelja
9. Antun Stražičić
10. Damir Miljević

December 20, 2004

Dear Friends,

On February 5th 2005, another Gala Dinner/Fundraising and celebration of Sveti Vlaho - St. Blaise, Patron Saint of Dubrovnik is coming. Mark your calendar and reserve this evening for fabulous Croatian food, dances, music and friendship.

To commemorate our 14th anniversary at St. Anthony's Croatian Parish Center in Los Angeles, Libertas Foundation will publish a program and souvenir book. We invite you and all Croatian-American businesses, organizations and their friends to help in our fundraising effort by placing an ad, greeting, letter, poem, recipe or anything that may be interesting for our Souvenir Book. In order to reserve space in our Souvenir Book, please contact us ASAP and no later then January 27, 2005.

This event is a sell out every year. We anticipate over 450 people from the Greater Los Angeles area to attend our "festa", which has become one of the premiere events in the Croatian-American community of Southern California. The souvenir book will be distributed to all attendees and advertisers, giving you and your business tremendous exposure and recognition.

We are pleased to report that our scholarship fund, which awards financially challenged students money to attend local trade schools, awarded ten (10) deserving students $1000 each in Dubrovnik this past August. The names of the students are: Stijepo Mage, Ivan Zec, Miso Tepsic, Antun Strazicic, Andela Kurelja, Ivo Morlais, Damir Miljevic, Niko Lujo, Ivo Penetra and Petar Zlosilo.

Though we have all accomplished and contributed generously, we are continuing with these programs as long as there is need for it and ask for your help and support in any way to make these programs most beneficial to the needy people of Croatia.

We thank all of you that have helped in the past and hope you will continue to support our humanitarian projects. Since we are all volunteers, we can assure you that every dollar you donate will reach the people and charity of your choice.

At this time of joy and celebration let's remember our less fortunate brothers and sisters and share the joy with them.

Your generosity and continued support is greatly appreciated.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

SRETAN BOZIC I NOVA GODINA!

Niko Hazdovac
President
Libertas Foundation

Tony Bendewish
"Ante & Evelyn Mrgudic" Scholarship Fund

Libertas Foundation is a non-political, non-profit, humanitarian organization and all contribution are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.