Ova kapsula je vrlo posebna jer je riječ o jednom od gradova koje sam najviše volio posjećivati, Vukovaru.
Vrlo rano ujutro možemo vidjeti kako se prve zrake svjetlosti pretvaraju u neobične nijanse koje, reflektirane u vodi Dunava, daruju jedan od najljepših izlazaka sunca u Hrvatskoj. Kako minute prolaze, sjene se razilaze i nečujno se otkriva div koji je u povijest ušao kao nesalomivi simbol grada, impozantni vodotoranj.
Središte grada presijeca rijeka Vuka od koje i potječe ime Vukovar. Jedan od mostova koji premošćuju ovu rijeku posvećen je heroju HOS-a (Hrvatske Obrambene Snage – Hrvatske obrambene snage) Jean-Michelu Nicollieru koji je, a da nije rođen u Hrvatskoj niti da je imao hrvatske krvi, dao život za obranu Vukovara. Danas bista Jean-Michela bdije nad središtem grada za koji je dao život.
O Vukovaru se puno govorilo u zadnjih 30 godina. Nakon katastrofe izazvane invazijom Jugoslavenske narodne armije (JNA) sa srpskim paravojnim snagama i herojskog otpora njegovih stanovnika, ime Vukovara ušlo je u kolektivnu imaginaciju hrvatskog naroda kao najreprezentativniji simbol požrtvovnosti i ustrajnosti u teškim vremenima.
Danas nećemo ulaziti u mračnu prošlost grada niti u duhove rata koji se još uvijek mogu osjetiti u šetnji ulicama grada. Danas ćemo govoriti o živopisnom gradu nevjerojatne povijesti koji je nakon mnogo patnje naučio živjeti s prošlošću i želi vratiti sjaj koji ga je nekoć karakterizirao.
Povijest Vukovara počinje davno prije nego što je Tomislav imenovan prvim hrvatskim kraljem, prije dolaska Hrvata na Jadran i prije osnutka Rima. Ovaj kraj je naseljen 5000 godina, u njemu se nastanila Vučedolska kultura od koje danas imamo “Vučedolsku Golubicu” i Vučedolski Orion, najstariji do danas pronađeni indoeuropski kalendar.
Vukovar je kroz svoju povijest imao dobar gospodarski razvoj zahvaljujući svom povlaštenom geografskom položaju. Rijeka Dunav bila je koridor Europe i to je omogućilo stvaranje trgovačkih puteva s gradovima poput Budimpešte, Bratislave i Beča. Tom sjaju došao je kraj s osmanskim prodorima u 16. stoljeću, nakon što su osvojene sve dunavske tvrđave i pao ugarsko-hrvatski kralj Ludovik u bitki kod Mohača (1526.).
Grad se počeo oporavljati nakon protjerivanja Turaka, a između 18. i 19. stoljeća grad je rastao i usvajao stilove kao što su barok i neoklasicizam. Trgovina se počela ubrzano razvijati i do 20. stoljeća grad se već pozicionirao kao važna točka gospodarstva Slavonije i Srijema.
Društveno-kulturne promjene koje su se dogodile tijekom 20. stoljeća imale su umjeren utjecaj na Vukovar, počevši od pada Austro-Ugarske na kraju Prvog svjetskog rata, preko uspostave Kraljevine Srba, Hrvata i Slovenaca, potom Kraljevine Jugoslavije, dolaska Nezavisne Države Hrvatske na vlast i konačno stvaranje savezne republike Jugoslavije.
Tijekom 20. stoljeća Vukovar je zahvaljujući tekstilnoj i obućarskoj industriji dobio značajnu ulogu u gospodarstvu Jugoslavije. Međutim, loše upravljanje, korupcija i nedostaci socijalističkog gospodarskog sustava generirali su gospodarsku i društvenu krizu koja će kasnije implodirati u ratu koji će okončati Jugoslaviju.
Završetkom rata Vukovar je potpuno razoren u jednoj od najzloglasnijih ratnih epizoda koje su se dogodile u Europi nakon Drugog svjetskog rata. Prošla je 31 godina od obrane Vukovara i danas kada se obiđe teško je povjerovati da je ovaj grad bio svjedokom strašnih zločina koji su počinjeni te duge jeseni 1991. godine.
Dužnost mi je pozvati vas svaki put kad dođete u Hrvatsku, posjetite Vukovar, popnite se na obnovljeni vodotoranj i uživajte u prekrasnom pogledu, prošetajte njegovim ulicama svjesni da je vjerojatno mjesto radnje jednog od najvažnijih poglavlja moderne hrvatske povijesti i zapamtite da bi bez vukovarske žrtve stvarnost samostalne Hrvatske vjerojatno bila znatno drugačija.
Nijedna od ovih fotografija ne bi bila moguća bez pomoći Humanitarne udruge Branitelj pomaže branitelju koja je zadužena za pomoć u hrani, liječničkoj pomoći i drugim sadrźajima našim braniteljima kojima je to najpotrebnije. Pozivam vas da posjetite njihovu Facebook stranicu i web stranicu gdje ćete se moći malo pobliže uvjeriti u kakvim uvjetima žive brojni naši branitelji i, koliko možete, pomozite onima koji su se toliko žrtvovali za nas, a danas su uglavnom zaboravljeni od društva.
English
This capsule is very special because it is about one of the cities that I have most enjoyed visiting, Vukovar.
Very early in the morning, we can see how the first rays of light turn into extraordinary hues that, reflected in the waters of the Danube River, give us one of the most beautiful sunrises in Croatia. As the minutes pass, the shadows clear and the giant that has gone down in history as the unbreakable symbol of the city, the imposing water tower, is silently revealed.
The center of the city is crossed by the river Vuka, from which the name Vukovar comes. One of the bridges that cross this river is dedicated to the hero of HOS (Hrvatske Obrambene Snage – Croatian Defense Forces), Jean-Michel Nicollier, who without being born in Croatia or having Croatian blood gave his life for the defense of Vukovar. Today the bust of Jean-Michel Nicollier watches over the center of the city for which he gave his life.
Much has been said about Vukovar in the last 30 years. After the catastrophe caused by the invasion of the Yugoslav People’s Army (JNA) together with Serbian paramilitary forces and the heroic resistance shown by its inhabitants, the name of Vukovar entered the collective imagination of the Croatian people as the most representative symbol of sacrifice and perseverance in dark times.
Today we will not delve into the dark past of the city or the ghosts of war that can still be felt when walking through the streets of the city.
Today we will talk about a colorful city with an incredible history that after much suffering has learned to live with the past, and that wants to recover the brightness that once characterized it.
The history of Vukovar begins long before Tomislav was appointed as the first Croatian king, before the arrival of the Croats in the Adriatic and before Rome was founded. This region has been inhabited for 5,000 years, the Vučedol (Vuchedol) culture settled in it, of which today we have the “Vučedolska Golubica” (Dove of Vučedol) and the Orion of Vučedol, the oldest Indo-European calendar found to date.
Throughout its history, Vukovar enjoyed good economic development thanks to its privileged geographical position. The Danube River was the corridor of Europe and this allowed the creation of trade routes with cities such as Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna. This splendor came to an end with the Ottoman invasions in the 16th century, after all the fortresses along the Danube were conquered and King Ludvic of Hungary and Croatia fell at the Battle of Mohacs (1526).
The city began to recover after the expulsion of the Turks, and little by little between the 18th and 19th centuries the city grew and adopted styles such as Baroque and Neoclassical. Trade began to grow rapidly and by the 20th century, the city was already positioned as an important point for the economy of Slavonia and the Srijem region.
The socio-cultural changes that occurred during the 20th century had a moderate impact on Vukovar, beginning with the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the end of World War I, passing through the establishment of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, then the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, the arrival of the Independent State of Croatia to power and finally the creation of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
During the 20th century, Vukovar came to have a significant weight in the economy of Yugoslavia thanks to the textile and shoe industry. However, mismanagement, corruption, and the deficiencies of the socialist economic system generated the economic and social crisis that would later implode in the war that would disintegrate Yugoslavia.
With the end of the war, Vukovar was completely destroyed in one of the most infamous war episodes that occurred in Europe after the Second World War. 31 years have passed since the defense of Vukovar and today when visiting it is hard to believe that this city has witnessed the horrible crimes that were committed in that long autumn of 1991.
It is my duty to invite you every time you come to Croatia, visit Vukovar, climb the renovated water tower and enjoy the beautiful view, walk through its streets being aware that this is probably the setting for one of the most important chapters of modern Croatian history and remember that without Vukovar’s sacrifice the reality of an independent Croatia would probably be very different.
None of these photos would have been possible without the help of the Branitelj pomaže branitelju Humanitarian Organization which is in charge of assisting and helping our veterans who need it most with food and medical treatment. I invite you to visit their Facebook page and website where you will be able to see a little more closely the conditions in which many of our veterans live and, to the best of your ability, collaborate to help those who sacrificed so much and who today have been forgotten by society.
Website: https://hubpb.hr/…
For donations: https://hubpb.hr/donacije/
Text in Spanish
Esta cápsula es muy especial, pues se trata de una de las ciudades que más he disfrutado visitar, Vukovar.
Muy temprano por la mañana podemos ver como los primeros rayos de luz se convierten en tonalidades extraordinarias que reflejadas en las aguas del río Danubio nos regala uno de los amaneceres más hermosos de Croacia. Con el pasar de los minutos las sombras se van despejando y silencioso se revela el gigante que ha pasado a la historia como el símbolo inquebrantable de la ciudad, la imponente torre de agua.
El centro de la ciudad es atravesado por el río Vuka, del que proviene el nombre Vukovar. Uno de los puentes que atraviesa este río está dedicado al héroe de HOS (Hrvatske Obrambene Snage –Fuerzas de Defensa Croatas),Jean-Michel Nicollier , quien sin haber nacido en Croacia o tener sangre croata dio su vida por la defensa de Vukovar. Hoy el busto de Jean-Michel cuida el centro de la ciudad por la que dio su vida.
Es mucho lo que se ha hablado de Vukovar en los últimos 30 años. Luego de la catástrofe que significó la invasión del Ejército Popular Yugoslavo (JNA) en conjunto con huestes paramilitares serbias y la heróica resistencia demostrada por sus habitantes, el nombre de Vukovar entró en el imaginario colectivo del pueblo croata como el símbolo más representativo del sacrificio y la perseverancia en tiempos oscuros.
Hoy no profundizaremos en el oscuro pasado de la ciudad ni en los fantasmas de la guerra que aún pueden sentirse al caminar por las calles de la ciudad. Hoy hablaremos de una ciudad colorida y con una historia increíble que tras mucho sufrimiento ha aprendido a convivir con el pasado, y que quiere recobrar el brillo que alguna vez la caracterizó.
La historia de Vukovar comienza mucho antes de que Tomislav fuese nombrado como el primer rey croata, antes de la llegada de los Croatas al Adriático y antes de que Roma se fundara. Hace 5000 años que esta región está habitada, en ella se instaló la cultura Vučedol (Vuchedol) de la cual hoy nos quedan la “Vučedolska Golubica“ (Paloma de Vučedol) y el Orión de Vučedol, el calendario indoeuropeo más antiguo encontrado hasta la fecha.
A lo largo de su historia Vukovar gozó de un buen desarrollo económico gracias a su privilegiada posición geográfica. El río Danubio era el corredor de Europa y esto permitió crear rutas comerciales con ciudades como Budapest, Bratislava y Viena. Este esplendor llegó a su fin con las invasiones Otomanas en el siglo XVI, luego de que todas las fortificaciones a lo largo del Danubio fueran conquistadas y el rey Ludovico de Hungría y Croacia cayera abatido durante la batalla de Mohacs (1526).
La ciudad comenzó a recuperarse luego de la expulsión de los Turcos, y poco a poco entre los siglos XVIII y XIX la ciudad fue creciendo y adoptando estilos como el Barroco y el Neoclásico. El comercio comenzó a crecer rápidamente y para el siglo XX la ciudad ya estaba posicionada como un punto importante para la economía de Slavonia y la región de Srijem.
Los cambios socio-culturales que ocurrieron durante el siglo XX tuvieron un impacto moderado en Vukovar, comenzando por la caída del Imperio Austro-Hungaro con el final de la I Guerra Mundial, pasando por la instauración del Reino de Serbios, Croatas y Eslovenios, luego Reino de Yugoslavia, la llegada del Estado Independiente de Croacia al poder y finalmente la creacion de la República Federal de Yugoslavia.
Durante el siglo XX Vukovar llegó a tener un peso importante en la economía de Yugoslavia gracias a la industría textil y de calzado. Sin embargo, la mala administración, la corrupción, y las deficiencias del sistema económico socialista generaron la crisis económica y social que más tarde haría implosión en la guerra que desintegraría a Yugoslavia.
Con el final de la guerra, Vukovar quedó completamente destruída en uno de los episodios bélicos más infames ocurridos en Europa luego de la segunda guerra mundial. Han pasado ya 31 años desde la defensa de Vukovar y hoy al visitarla cuesta creer que esta ciudad haya sido testigo de los horribles crímenes que se comentieron en ese largo otoño de 1991.
Es mi deber invitarlos a que cada vez que vengan a Croacia, visiten Vukovar, suban a la renovada torre de agua y disfruten de la hermosa vista, paseen por sus calles siendo conscientes de que este es probablemente el escenario de uno de los capitulos más importantes de la historia moderna de Croacia y recuerden que sin el sacrificio de Vukovar la realidad de una Croacia indiendiente sería probablemente muy diferente.
Ninguna de estas fotografías hubiesen sido posible sin la ayuda de la Organización Humanitaria Branitelj pomaže branitelju quienes se encargan de asistir y ayudar a nuestros veteranos que más lo necesitan con comida y tratamiento médico. Yo los invito a que visiten su página en donde podrán ver un poco más de cerca las condiciones en las que viven muchos de nuestros veteranos y a la medida de sus posibilidades colaborar para poder ayudar a aquellos que sacrificaron tanto y que hoy han sido olvidados por la sociedad.
Página web: https://hubpb.hr/…
Para donaciones: https://hubpb.hr/donacije/
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