Many Americans have heard of Croatia and the war that redrew the map of Central Europe nearly 20 years ago, but few know what a presence Croatian-Americans have in the Pacific Northwest. Seattlelites will get a chance to learn more at CroatiaFest in the Seattle Center’s Center House this weekend. The festival’s theme, “Croatian Hands at Work,” celebrates a century of Croatian contribution to local mining and manufacturing. It includes panel discussion with Croatian-American miners and a historical photo exhibit showing pictures from all over Washington State. Festival attendees can also learn about travel in Croatia from Gretchen Strauss of the TV show Rick Steves’ Europe Through the Back Door, genealogy from UW graduate Barbara Budinich Starkey and traditional folkdance from the Živili Dance Company. CroatiaFest committee director, Alma Plancich, emigrated to the United States with her family after World War II. She said it was this latest wave of emigration, just after the Balkan War, that brought greater attention to the country and lead to the festival’s beginning in 2004. “There was a need,” said Plancich. “After the war was the perfect time ... to focus on our culture.” The Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra will play a mix of classical music and Croatian- and American-composed pieces. The Vela Luka Dance Ensemble will perform traditional dances with Spanish and Italian influences, said John Lovric, who started dancing in the ens ...
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