Moving To The Motherland – Demographic Fix

The latest data released by Croatian Bureau of Statistics showed only 36,647 children were born
in the country last year, the lowest in the last 100 years. This is the first time the number fell
below 37,000, which is almost twice less than in 1960 when 76,156 children were born.
There are at least two reasons for such tragic numbers. First is the inadequate population policy
and the second is the growing emigration of the younger population due to relatively high
unemployment underpinned by the alarming lack in progress for creating new job opportunities.
Reacting to the Croatian government’s new policies on demographic revitalization State Secretary
for the Ministry of demographics, Marin Strmota, resigned from his position as a matter of protest
against what he said were measures that simply will not work. “True, this is a big factor, as a
demographer I believe this is not enough. As of today I submit my resignation, what was read
today is flippant… The country is dying, this is the worst state in Croatia since its beginnings…”
Strmota said.
According to estimates, there are over 3 million first, second, third and fourth generation
Croatians living around the world, outside Croatia – the diaspora. As such it holds great
possibilities for demographic revitalisation of Croatia itself, but harnessing the diaspora wealth in
all walks of life, including demographics, has remained an inexplicably elusive goal to reach. To
my view, the lack of positive actions in achieving lustration, in ridding the public administration
and services of the suffocating communist heritage, which would undoubtedly encourage greater
return of people from the diaspora, is the main culprit for the dire situation Croatian nation is
facing with demographics.
I read an interview with a returnee, Adriana Kupresak, these days and I wish to share it here. The
interview was conducted and published by Croatiaweek
Moving to the Motherland: Adriana Kupresak
Whilst emigration from Croatia has always hugely outweighed Croatian diaspora immigration,
there has been a steady stream over the last two decades. In this series we meet some people who
have made the move ‘to the motherland’.
Today we meet Adriana Kupresak. Adriana, who was born in Vukovar in eastern Croatia and
moved to Australia when she was a year and a half old with her parents, made the move back.
Was Croatia a part of your life when you were living in Australia?
My father was a well-known footballer in the Croatian community in Australia so I was constantly
immersed in the Croatian community in Sydney. Croatian is actually my first language as my
parents spoke Croatian at home but of course, I always responded in English and that became a
bad habit I brought with me into adulthood. I also attended Croatian school every Saturday for
many years and most of our close family friends were all from Croatia. Anytime there was a large
function at the Croatian Club, or a Croatian wedding, we would attend so it’s safe to say that my
Croatian heritage played a large part in my upbringing.
What made you decide to move and live in Croatia?

My sisters and I were very fortunate to be able to spend many summers in Croatia growing up. My
grandmother actually informed me last year that when I was younger I always said that I would
return to Croatia to live. The sense of belonging is visible from early on. I decided to leave
Sydney four years ago because I no longer felt connected to the Australian way of life and figured
that being single and in my late 20s with no “real” obligations (mortgage, children etc.), I had
nothing left to lose. My plan was to have no plan and to follow my heart, which lead me back to
Croatia. I had an idea of how I wanted to pave my way and what I wanted to do but it took about
three years to materialise into the life I call my reality today. There was one thing I was 100%
certain of, that I would never return to Australia to live and still to this day, the idea doesn’t appeal
to me.
What was the reaction from family and friends?
Every time I speak to my father he asks me when I’m coming home but I always tell him, “Dad, I
am home.” Obviously my parents want the best for me and are happy that I have returned to
Croatia and found my way however, it doesn’t mean that my life upon returning was necessarily
easy compared to my life in Sydney, particularly financially. In Australia you can work hard, day
and night, work two or three jobs and get somewhere in life but in Croatia it’s not the case. But
look, I believe that if you align yourself with your passion and do something you love, you’ll
figure out a way to monetise it. For me, that love was promoting Croatia through my blog and this
was the vision I had when I left Sydney four years ago. I believe the best reaction comes from
Croatians in Croatia. A day doesn’t go by where I don’t get asked why I came back and if I’m
crazy. I’m not crazy, I’m blessed. There’s a peace in my heart I have in Croatia that I don’t have
anywhere else in the world and this is a peace that no amount of money can buy.
Where are you living and what are you doing for a living in Croatia?
I am currently living between Zagreb & Zadar, frequently visiting my grandparents and cousins in
Osijek. I have been blogging for the past 10 years but in the last four, tailored my blog to my
journey since leaving Sydney. Since moving to Zagreb, a lot of my content has been focused on
Croatia and I am fortunate to have collaborated with the National Tourism Board of Croatia &
various local tourist boards on creating content revolving around the country. I also do a lot of
social media consulting in the UK where I focus most of my attention. This year, I also started
working with Dreamtime Events Croatia, a bespoke wedding planning and corporate events
company that also deals with a foreign clientele, predominately from the UK. I was lucky enough
to be introduced to Branka Cubelic, a well-known and respected woman in the Australian-
Croatian community, whose contributions to the Croatian community in Australia are extensive
and admirable. She took me under her wing and now I am constantly surrounded by ambitious,
hard-working women in Croatia.
What do you like about the lifestyle in Croatia? What are some of the benefits?
Croatia is a much slower lifestyle compared to what I am used to and it took me four months to
adjust to the pace of the country. My whole life I was always living ahead of the moment, in a
rush to get somewhere etc. in Croatia I live in the moment. I always say that Croatia has the whole
world in one country and the greatest advantage in living here is that you don’t even need your
passport if you want to experience something new.
How do you chill out?

My boyfriend and I enjoy taking long walks to explore and chill out. In Zagreb, we love Maksimir
Park or my favourite spot in the city, Gradec that overlooks the Cathedral. I’m not religious but
the Cathedral in Zagreb fills my heart with joy when I look at it. In Zadar, we make a habit of
walking by the water during sunset. If you follow me on instagram, you’d know that I spend a lot
of time at Caffe Bar Finjak on Vlaska Ulica 78. It’s a refined, instagrammable cafe where you’re
not allowed to smoke inside. Unfortunately in Croatia, many places still allow smoking indoors
and I find this disgusting. There are also a lot of expats and in-the- know tourists who frequent
Finjak, so I feel even more comfortable.
What 3 things do you miss about home?
Home is here, however to answer your question about Australia, firstly I really miss the
efficiency. The amount of time you’ll waste in Croatia on general paperwork, getting paperwork
printed, signed and stamped, in buildings to change your address or even to send something via
post is enough to give any diaspora anxiety. I am under the impression that Croatia likes to waste
two things, time and paper. Secondly, I miss the sense of community. In Australia, it doesn’t
matter who your neighbour is, where they come from or their religion, it’s embedded in our
society to help one another, it’s what we call, the Australian way. However in Croatia, it’s a
different story. You’ll find your own people trying to take advantage of you in any way they can
and experiencing this first hand really made me sad for quite some time. I believe we are stronger
as a society and nation in collaboration with one another, rather than in competition. Thirdly, I
often miss the pace and sense of urgency. Croatia is much slower to the life I am used to. For
example, I once sent a business proposal to someone on Monday, received a response on
Wednesday who then confirmed a meeting the following Friday. Believe me when I say, I have
received correspondence from Arianna Huffington much faster.
What bit of ‘local’ advice would you give to someone visiting Croatia for the first time –
what ‘gem’ should they see?
I can easily pitch my typical, visit Kornati Islands, swing by Konoba Levrnaka for lunch. Consider
Zminj, it’s the heart of Istria and a 20 minute drive from all the typical tourist spots like Rovinj,
Pula etc. Of course, Zadar for sunset at Pozdrav Sunce (I must say this or my boyfriend will be
upset, he’s a typical dalmatinac) but the gem of Croatia is the Slavonian region. I believe that
there is not enough promotion put in place for the north eastern end of the country that I was born
in. Cities like Osijek, Dakovo, Vukovar, they are all a must see. There’s a gorgeous Castle and
Estate in Principovac near Ilok to lose an afternoon in and for the best fiš paprikaš visit Bistro
Baranjska Citadela in Baranja county of Osijek. My parents take all guests there during their
annual trip to Croatia. It’s a much quieter and less talked about end of the country that deserves as
much praise as the other end of Croatia.
Are you happy you moved?Do you plan to stay?
I have absolutely no regrets moving back, it was the best decision that I ever made for myself. My
life in Croatia is what dreams are made of, I have the best of both worlds. I also met the love of
my life in Croatia (he is also from Sydney, not a local boy) and we are happily settled between
Zagreb and Zadar. We are definitely staying to continue our businesses, expand our property
portfolio and of course, raise a family in Croatia. I took a huge blindfolded risk leaving Australia
but my risk has finally being rewarded.

What advice would you give to anyone thinking of moving to back to the motherland?
I get a lot of questions from diaspora all over the world asking how I did it. My simple answer is
don’t think too much about it, just do it. If something is pulling you back to the homeland, honour
this feeling. Don’t listen to what people say, don’t let your family discourage you. I know the
general consensus is that people are leaving Croatia, that it’s not a liveable country but your net
quality of life is higher and easier to obtain in Croatia, believe it or not. I’ll be honest, it’s not
easy. Don’t expect Croatian people to embrace you because you’ve come back, most will look at
you as dollar signs but also don’t be offended by this. It’s typical Croatian mentality and will
eventually make you laugh. There is a large number of diaspora in Croatia who will guide you and
help you find your feet in your homeland so don’t let anything discourage you from returning. My
biggest advice once you do get here is not to give up after a year, you need at least 2-3 years to
really find your feet in Croatia

Ina Vukić