In the American city of Tacoma, located in the North Pacific in the state of Washington, there is a Croatian community whose members mainly come from the island of Hvar. They gather in the Croatian society “Slavonian Hall” founded in 1901. It is a city the size of Split, an important cargo and fishing port from where salmon fishing in Alaska has been going for more than a century.
On behalf of the Twinning Committee, President Clare Petrich from Tacoma appealed for help from Branka Bezić Filipović to help connect the cities. The mayor of Split, Ivica Puljak, accepted the idea on the condition that some projects be launched.
Branka Bezić Filipović and Clare Petrich held meetings in Tacoma and Split, mainly regarding culture and education. Cooperation with the Croatian National Theater from Split has agreed, and this year, for the 22nd year in a row, the Sister City Festival in Tacoma will be opened with the Croatian film “Opera Selecta” by producer and screenwriter Lana Pavić.
Talks were held with the director of the Archaeological Museum in Split, Anto Jurčević, and we received an invitation from Mrs. Petrich to show the exhibition “Croats united by a tie” in the Suzzallo Library of the University of Washington, which is named after Henry Zucalo from the area around Dubrovnik.
In terms of education, there are great possibilities, from connecting primary schools, through high schools to colleges. Some conversations have already been held with Patric Irwin, director of international cooperation at Tacoma High School, who wants to introduce his students to the possibilities of studying in Split. Regarding the faculty, the Maritime Faculty of Split showed great interest. Namely, a school ship was acquired in Tacoma for student training, and the Twinning Committee from Tacoma showed its willingness to connect them with other friendly cities with a maritime tradition in Mexico and Norway. Tacoma is interested in renewable energy, which is being dealt with in Split at the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Split, where they are ready to cooperate. In addition to this, there is an interest in Croatian gastronomy, in which Aspira will be happy to participate.
Mrs. Petrich came to Split and brought a letter of invitation for the cooperation of Mayor Victoria Woodards, which the mayor of Split also signed. She also brought a letter to Split artist Nives Čičin Šain inviting her to hold an exhibition and workshops at the Seaport Museum next year, as well as a letter from Dr. Joel Baker from the University of Washington in Tacoma with an invitation to cooperate with the academic community from Split