Dinner with the ambassador

Mr. Glušac's Guest Appearance on the TV Show "Dinner with the Ambassador"

The Chinese TV station Hainan Satellite TV features a program in which ambassadors from different countries currently living and working in China appear as guests.

The focus of the show is twofold: to prepare the national specialty of the visiting ambassador and to introduce the ambassador to the culture and beauty of China, specifically Hainan. During the second season of the series, the guest ambassador was Mr. Dario Mihelin, the Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to China, and his guest on the show was Mr. Josip Glušac.

At the beginning of the show, the long-standing friendship between Croatia and Hainan was highlighted, dating back to 2013, and the sister-city relationship between Sanya and Dubrovnik was mentioned. In the first part of the episode, the host takes the ambassador on a tour of Hainan's most beautiful sights.

The journey continues from the city of Sanya to the Baoting region, home to the Li and Miao tribes, known for their unique culture. The Li people do not have a written language, but they are exceptionally skilled and creative in rattan handicrafts and weaving fabrics in various colors, each representing the cultural characteristics of their respective dialect areas.

Ambassador Mihelin first visited a local school, played a soccer match with the children, and then witnessed a traditional bamboo skipping dance. The Hainanese musicians, playing local wind and percussion instruments, added a magical atmosphere to the performance. Their music perfectly complemented the visit and showcased the rich local culture.

Afterward, Ambassador Mihelin toured the Baoting National Park, a protected area covering about 80% forest. The day concluded with a culinary segment, where the visiting ambassador prepared a national specialty. For the occasion, he chose Buzara, a traditional Croatian seafood dish, fitting for a maritime region. Alongside him, the local chef prepared his own national specialty, rolled duck.

Dario Mihelin prepares Buzara

The evening culminated with the dinner itself, attended by prominent figures from the island as well as guests of Ambassador Mihelin. From the Chinese side, attendees included Mu Kerui, Party Secretary of Baoting Li and Miao Autonomous County, who explained the region's governance, healthcare, and other local features.

The two sides discussed Baoting's and Croatia's resources, emphasizing the desire to strengthen the sister-city relationship between Croatian cities and Baoting. The Vice President of Hainan Airlines spoke about the importance of establishing air connections between Hainan and Croatia. Li Zhongguang, Deputy Director of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television, and Sports of Hainan Province, highlighted the significance of this family-style gathering.

"Through this event, we contributed to a truly international platform for cooperation." On the Croatian side, the dinner was attended by Deputy Ambassador Mr. Josip Glušac, who presented Croatian wines, and Ms. Tea Lončar, who performed the song "Believe in Love" for the guests.

Josip presents Croatian wines

The show was recorded in the spring and aired on June 24, 2023. Although the program was produced in Chinese, English subtitles were provided, allowing viewers to fully appreciate the Croatian ambassador’s banquet and the cultural exchange that took place.