For Croatian Statehood Day, for the first time in history, Niagara Falls were twice illuminated in the colors of Croatia during the evening on May 29. The beautiful night illumination in red, white and blue lasted from 9 pm to 9:15 pm and again from 10 pm to 10:15 pm EDT, which in the Croatian CET time zone falls on the Statehood Day itself, on May 30 in the early morning hours. The Croatian National Tourist Board broadcast this unique experience via live streaming on its social networks Croatia Full of Life, which is followed by millions of audiences around the world.
This attractive event, which will further draw attention to Croatia, known as a desirable tourist destination preferred by Americans, was realized at the initiative of the Consulate General of the Republic of Croatia in New York with the support and engagement of the Croatian National Tourist Board.
"With this initiative, we wanted to symbolically mark the connection and strategic partnership between the Republic of Croatia and the United States, from culture, sports and science to foreign policy, defense and economy. Croatian emigrants are especially credited in promoting ties and cooperation between their homeland and the country in which they found their new home", said the Consul General of the Republic of Croatia in New York, Nikica Kopačević.
The ceremony was attended by the Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to the United States Pjer Šimunović, the Mayor of Niagara Falls Robert Restaino, the Military Envoy of the Republic of Croatia to the United States Brigadier General Tomislav Galić, the Consul General of the Republic of Croatia in Los Angeles Renee Pea, the Consul General of the Republic of Croatia in Chicago Sanja Laković, pastor of the Croatian Catholic Parish of Our Lady of Bistrica, Lackawan, New York Rev. Christopher Ćorić and other members of the Croatian community from the state of New York.
"This special event is important in promoting our country as an attractive tourist destination in the US market. The interest of Americans in our destinations is growing from year to year, which is confirmed by the two newly introduced direct flights that connect Dubrovnik and New York this season, which connects us to the United States better than ever before. We have achieved more than 80,000 overnight stays from this market so far this year, and numerous announcements from our partners suggest that good trends from the US market will continue in the coming period", concluded CNTB Director Kristjan Staničić.
It is worth noting that, Niagara Falls is illuminated by several hundred LED lights, which light up at dusk, every night of the year. Throughout the year, the waterfalls are especially illuminated on the occasion of significant occasions and holidays and as a sign of support to numerous organizations and associations.
