![\"\"](\"https:\/\/virtualnimuzej.aspira.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/Nikica-i-Jelena-1-247x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n
The following is a quick summary about my parents Nikola and Jelena Vrdoljak.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
My dad danced for Joza Vlahovic (Folklore ensemble) in Zagreb prior to moving to Imotski to
\nwork as a dentist. Imotski is where he met and married my mom, and where they started our
\nfamily. Due to the political climate in the former Yugoslavia my parents moved to Canada in
\n1968 with hope for a better life for our family. Two years later in 1970, Djuka Haramustek
\nreached out to my dad asking for help to teach and run a small group on Dupont street in
\nToronto, Ontario. This group grew over the next couple of years and established itself in 1972 as
\nthe Canadian-Croatian Folklore Ensemble Zrinski Frankopan as an officially formed (and later
\nincorporated) volunteer group. CCFE Zrinski Frankopan performed at Croatian centers across
\nthe Greater Toronto Area and as they gained popularity throughout the Ontario community, they
\nbecame known as the “Flying Zrinski.\u201d<\/p>\n
The profound understanding of the Croatian culture and folklore that my dad had was a great
\ncatalyst in their success but he always said that he would not have been able to do any of it
\nwithout the support of my mom Jelena. She was always active backstage with prep, costuming,
\nand the loudest supporter of the group at every performance. We were privileged to perform at
\nmany venues across Canada and abroad. Some notable performances include Bi-centennial,
\nThe White House, 1976 Olympics in Montreal, Caravan, Canada Day at City Hall, Easter around
\nthe world and Christmas around the world. Zrinski Frankopan\u2019s high standard for performances
\nopened the door for global performances in Croatia, Germany, United States and of course from
\ncoast to coast in Canada.<\/p>\n
The importance of family, friends, Canada, Croatia and the love they had for the CCFE Zrinski
\nFrankopan Inc (Their Third Child) was prevalent throughout their lives. My parents Nikola and
\nJelena are no longer with us, but they left a legacy that continues to influence the Canadian-
\nCroatian community!<\/p>\n
Ivana Ferenac<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The following is a quick summary about my parents Nikola and Jelena Vrdoljak. My dad danced for Joza Vlahovic (Folklore ensemble) in Zagreb prior to moving to Imotski […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10327,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[68],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10334","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-canada"],"yoast_head":"\n