Europe in Brussels part 23: Croatia

25 June marks the date on which the former Yugoslavia dissolved, allowing for some Balkan countries to gain statehood and independence. Croatia, along with Slovenia, now observe this day as their Statehood Day.

Croatia has a population of about 4.2 million with almost 2,000 calling Belgium home. One Croat you can find in Brussels is Tina Hofland, a research executive for FleishmanHillard Brussels.

“I moved to Brussels two and a half weeks ago, so that's pretty recent, and so far I really like it,” she says. Although she hasn’t lived in Croatia since she was a child, Hofland said there is no where else she would rather spend her holidays.

“I'm quite an ambassador for Croatia in Western Europe, since I studied in the Netherlands, and I always tell people how beautiful it is,” she says with a laugh.

According to Hofland, it is Croatia’s natural beauty that makes it such a desirable location. “I truly believe that Croatian nature is the most beautiful, untouched nature you will find in all of Europe."

Croatian food is also quite the treat: “There is Croatian truffles which are not that known but they are absolutely amazing.” She also mentioned Istrian wine and Croatian honey as two local delicacies.

"My uncle himself is a beekeeper in East Croatia and keeps his bees in untouched nature which makes the honey incredible and not anything you could buy in a store," she adds.

Despite having lived in many places and having mixed nationalities, Hofland said she is proud to be Croatian. "I think about when I talk to people from Western Europe and I mention that I'm Croatian how everyone who has been to Croatia has so many positive things to say about the country - how people were so nice, how food was amazing and how beautiful the nature is and that is when I feel truly proud to be Croatian."