The Centre for Croatian, Venetian and Ottoman Studies was officially opened at the University of Split! On that occasion, the book "Turkish sources in Central Dalmatia - Poljica 1" was presented, published by the Centre ‘Don Frane Bulić’ and for Croatian, Venetian and Ottoman Studies, by prof. Michael Ursinus Ph.D. For successful cooperation and merits due to the opening of the Centre, University of Split Rector, prof. Dragan Ljutić Ph.D. presented prof. Ursinus with University of Split’s letter of thanks.

Following the initiative of University of Split professors, Marko Trogrlić Ph.D., Josip Vrandečić Ph.D. and assist. prof. Marko Rimac Ph.D., from Faculty of Humanities, and assoc. prof. Josip Dukić Ph.D. from the Catholic Faculty of Theology, University of Split’s Senate adopted its development plan and decided to establish University of Split’s Centre for Croatian, Venetian and Ottoman Studies, at its 50th session held on July 14 last year.

University of Split Rector, prof. Dragan Ljutić Ph.D. did not hide his happiness, saying that this Centre connects Venice and Istanbul through Split, especially considering the fact that our monastery archives hide a large number of documents written in Turkish. He emphasized the importance of togetherness, reflected in the cooperation between the Faculties of Humanities and of Catholic Theology (KBF). He commented on the fact that the Centre is extremely important for Split and its University, in humanities and related disciplines, because University of Split does not support only STEM, but also gives strong support to the social field as well as humanities.

Prof. Vrandečić, Deputy of the Centre’s Head, prof. Marko Trogrlić Ph.D., expressed extreme satisfaction with the opening of this Centre.

- This is a symbolic act because at the end of the 16th century the Jewish merchant Daniel Rodriguez (Rodriga) created the famous scaffolding for trade in Split, which according to Venetian sources became the standard of cooperation between East and West. After many centuries, we are symbolically re-establishing this cooperation, back to Split. The Centre’s significance goes beyond Split and national frameworks, because scientists and students from all over the world will come here. I believe that the Centre will justify this responsibility with its operation - concluded prof. Vrandečić.

Prof. Mladen Parlov Ph.D., KBF’s Dean and assoc. prof. Antonela Marić Ph.D., Faculty of Humanities Vice Dean, expressed wishes that a number of projects that will reveal our heritage will come out of the Centre, and that it will generate a number of successful collaborations, between both scientists and students.