The Zagreb Chamber of Trades and Crafts awarded recognitions of merit to credited crafts and individuals at its formal Assembly. An Agreement on Cooperation and Friendship with the Vukovar-Srijem County Chamber of Trades and Crafts was signed.

President of the Zagreb Chamber of Trades and Crafts Mirza Šabić, D.Sc. referred to the importance of craftsmanship and awarded special recognition to Dinko Bilić, the Head of the City Office for Physical Planning, Construction of the City, Utility Services and Transport of the City of Zagreb. The awarded recognition is acknowledgement for successful cooperation and exceptional contribution to protection, improvement and development of craftsmanship. He awarded a golden diploma for long-time successful work and maintenance of the family tradition to Zdravko Požarić.

President Mirza Šabić and Antun Trojnar handed a silver diploma to Branko Hlebetin for his long-time successful work and participation in charity projects, Stjepan Bezuh for the successful performance in the operation of the craft, as well as for engagement in the work of the local self-government, Ilonka Kurtanjek Vicković for her long-time successful work and maintenance of the family craft tradition, and Franc Požgaj for long-time successful operation of the craft.

The “Craftswoman“ recognitions of merit, which the Chamber awards for the achieved exceptional results and success in the operation of the craft went to: Ljijana Cujan, Dubravka Blažević and Mirjana Nemčić.

For future contribution in the development of the trade chamber system and trades and crafts as a whole, the Zagreb Chamber of Trades and Crafts awards “Young Craftsman/Young Craftswoman“ to craftsmen and craftswomen beginners under 35 years of age. The recognition was granted to Vlado Odribožić, Marina Dobošić and Tomislav Lušić.

The Zagreb Chamber of Trades and Crafts awarded the “Oldest Craft“ – which is granted for long-time successful work and preservation of the crafts tradition to crafts whose tradition has existed for more than 90 years – to Ivan Babić, the owner of the Babić Caffe Bar and Vesna Hrkač, the owner of the Knjigovežnica 1924 Service Craft.

“I am very happy with this award. The bindery has been in our family for more than 95 years,” Mrs. Hrkač said. After the handing ceremony of recognitions and diplomas, an Agreement on Cooperation and Friendship with the Vukovar-Srijem County Chamber of Trades and Crafts was signed. President of the Zagreb Chamber of Trades and Crafts Mirza Šabić, D.Sc. and Tomislav Tomičić, President of the Vukovar-Srijem County Chamber of Trades and Crafts signed a Cooperation Charter.

“We have always had good relations and I will be very happy if we are able in any way to help to the crafts in Slavonija. We know that it is much easier to do business in Zagreb than in Slavonija. Their products can now be also bought at the Advent Fair of Zagreb Crafts in Trg bana Josipa Jelačića,” – said Mirza Šabić. Tomislav Tomičić stressed that the situation in Slavonija is not fabulous but that they can do a lot with joint effort.

“This cooperation means a lot to us and we think that all together, we can improve craftsmen’s lives,” Tomislav Tomičić added.

The event was enhanced with the attendance of school principals of crafts and secondary vocational schools, partners in the Artifex project, presidents and associations, as well as secretaries and members of the Assembly, the Managing Board and the Supervisory Board, members of guilds, boards, and commissions of the Zagreb Chamber of Trades and Crafts.