Vlatko Rukavina, H. Consul for Sri Lanka
Five Stars Zagreb Issue 24 — March 01, 2008.

Since 2001 I am honorary consul of DRS Sri Lanka, and this is one of the reasons why I live permanently in Zagreb in the vicinity of Jarun lake. Zagreb is a very interesting metropolis with respect to many of its characteristic.

Referring to its architecture, Zagreb is divided in to the Upper town, Down Town and New Zagreb. It has been designed and built by many foreign architects apart from the Croatian architects.

The view from the bench of A. G. Matoš in the Upper Town arouses special feelings in every season. The Square of ban Josip Jelačić, coming from Srijem as well, is very interesting to have a walk around, especially in the evening and during the night, and to continue walking in Tkalčićeva street. Although very similar to Prague, Bratislava and Budapest, it has got its own specific features as a central European town.

New Zagreb in the vicinity of the Fair and Hippodrome has got a very pleasant relaxation oasis with Bundek area developed recently. The beauty of the old buildings is pretty much ruined by devastated facades. Their reconstructing and painting should be done quarter by quarter and not partially. The traffic is very crowded, hence, the underground railway should be built in the future along with the enhancement of traffic.

The objects in Jarun are very good and offer a very nice oasis for refreshment, but the surroundings of the river Sava is in a rather bad shape. Apart from the promenade on the dam, there are also other contents required for the young, as it is the case in the Jarun area where I like to go for a walk on weekends with my colleagues and friends.