Region Takes the Baton: Slavonia at the Center of Diaspora Gathering in 2027
The hosting flag has been handed to County Prefect Nataša Tramišak, and four cities are preparing for the grand event
The hosting flag has been handed to County Prefect Nataša Tramišak, and four cities are preparing for the grand event
The Osijek-Baranja County has officially confirmed its role as the host of the 2027 World Diaspora Games of Unity. This is a unique international event that brings together Croats from the homeland and the diaspora, featuring sports competitions, cultural programs, and social gatherings. The ceremonial handover of the hosting role was marked on July 22, 2026, when the Games' flag was presented to the County Prefect.
Nada Pritisanac Matulich, the initiator and project leader, personally visited County Prefect Nataša Tramišak and handed her the Games' flag. This act marks the county's formal entry into the organizational phase of preparing an event aimed at strengthening ties between Croatia and its emigrants.
The 2027 event will not be tied to a single location. The cities that will host participants are Osijek, Đakovo, Našice, and Vukovar. This arrangement will allow visitors to explore different parts of Slavonia and Baranja, with organizers aiming to highlight the region's cultural and historical diversity.
This event is held annually in a different Croatian region. It brings together Croats and their descendants from around the world, combining sports competitions, cultural content, and opportunities for socializing. The goal is not just athletic competition but also preserving Croatian identity and promoting unity among Croats regardless of where they live.
Slavonia and Baranja have a long tradition of emigration, with many Croats of regional origin living worldwide. Hosting the Games therefore also represents an opportunity to renew these ties. County Prefect Tramišak emphasized the concrete benefits for the region.
"Hosting the World Diaspora Games of Unity represents an exceptional opportunity to further connect the Osijek-Baranja County with Croats living around the world, as well as to showcase its cultural, sports, and tourism offerings, and to confirm its openness, hospitality, and strong contribution to preserving Croatian identity and unity. The World Diaspora Games bring together participants from numerous countries, promote unity, mutual connection, and the preservation of Croatian heritage, and provide an opportunity to forge new friendships and strengthen ties between homeland and diaspora Croatia."
With these words, County Prefect Tramišak described the significance of hosting for the region, also highlighting the tourism potential of the event as a way to promote the Osijek-Baranja County to an international audience.
There is just over a year left until the start of the Games, giving organizers time to prepare sports and cultural content in all four cities. Details of the program, competition schedules, and cultural events have not yet been announced. The Osijek-Baranja County thus joins the series of Croatian regions that have hosted this event in previous years and confirmed its role in connecting homeland and diaspora Croatia.
