About Us

Our Mission

The Croatian Heritage Society (CHS)’s mission is to preserve and celebrate Croatian culture in Calgary, as an active not-for-profit organization that is completely volunteer led and driven. CHS was established in 1986, but is part of a much longer tradition of Croatian folklore in Calgary, AB:

Facts About Croatian Folklore In Calgary

1962 – First Croatian folklore group founded in Calgary by Ivo Samija 

1974 –  Velebit, Calgary’s main Croatian folklore group, is established 

1979 – Calgary hosts the Western Canadian-Croatian Folklore Festival for the very first time

1981 – Kardinal Stepinac is created for mature folklore dancers

1984 – Traditional string orchestra Hrvatske Zlatne Žice (Croatian Golden Strings) founded by Richard Filipović

1986 – CHS  is established as an entity to govern all folklore ensembles in Calgary; and Velebit changes its name to Vila Velebita

1988 – Vila Velebita performs at the opening ceremonies of the XV Olympic Winter Games in Calgary

1991 – Croatia declares its independence from Yugoslavia 

1992 – Croatia is internationally recognized as a sovereign nation and state

1994 – CHS goes on it’s very  first folklore tour of a free & independent Croatia, and also performs for Croatians in Bosnia & Herzegovina

1997 & 2000- CHS performs again on folklore tours of Croatia

2019 – CHS plans another tour of Croatia, which was canceled due to COVID-19; all programming moved online 

2022 – Following 3 years of virtual programming, CHS is refreshed with new members and a revitalized presence in the local and international community

2024 – Hrvatske Zlatne Žice celebrates its 50th anniversary & CHS participates for the very first time with a pavilion and performances at Calgary’s GlobalFest

2026 – CHS looks forward to marking its 40 year anniversary  & planning a celebratory folklore tour of Croatia!

Board of Directors

CHS is governed by a member-elected board of directors that have 2-year mandates. Every year, CHS hosts an AGM for its members on the status of the society. Every two-year cycle, elections are held for a new board. Details on membership rights can be found in the bylaws linked here (note: as of Sept 2024, an amendment to these bylaws is in process of being filed with the Alberta Corporate Registry).

2024-2026 Board Members:

Cindi Mihaljević

President

Kristina Cigić

Vice President

Ana Loncman

Treasurer

Aleksandra Šušak

Secretary

Marin Mustapić

Director

Elena Micciolo

Director

Nada Vulić

Director