PRESS RELEASE
26 June 2017
Croatia was one of the 177 countries that collectively supported the Indian Resolution for the designation of IDY on 21 June at the United Nations, and we remain thankful for the support extended by the Croatian Government.
For 2017, The Indian Embassy organised the IDY on an even bigger scale than last year, from 18-25 June 2017 in 25 cities across Croatia viz. Zagreb, Split, Pula, Zadar, Osijek, Rijeka, Varazdin, Dubrovnik, Sibenik, Cakovec, Karlovac, Vukovar, Iz, Novigrad, Bjelovar, Makarska, Baska, Zapresic, Korcula, Lepoglava, Hvar, Virovitica, Koprivnica, Pozega, Umag. In capital Zagreb itself, the event was staged on 18 June 2017 in the prominent King Tomislav Square in the City Centre. All events had the participation of top level dignitaries, Members of Parliament, diplomatic community and a cross section of Croatian Society. This was in conformity with the large scale organisation of IDY in other European cities and the rest of the world.
The IDY events were staged in partnership with the City Administrations, Tourist Boards, Yoga in Daily Life, Yoga Federation of Croatia, Art of Living, ISKCON, and other Yoga Associations. We are sincerely thankful for the sponsorships of Zagreb Tourist Board and ACG-Lucaps (Ludbreg) in particular.
The programme for IDY 2017 included the practice of Protocol of Yoga Asanas by all participants under the guidance of experienced Yoga practitioners, followed bylecture-demonstrations by different Yoga Associations. Allied events were conducted over the whole week comprising of free Yoga classes in all the cities, talks on specific Yoga themes and screening of documentaries. Some interesting side events were 1st Croatian Yoga Congress (17 June 2017), Remetinec Prison Yoga Programme (19 June 2017), Online Yoga Quiz and Essay contest (21 June), Yoga Challenge (21 June 2017), Yoga with Police (21 June 2017), Yoga is Music (23 June 2017), Yoga Exhibition “Waves of Yoga” (21 June 2017).
It will be appreciated that Yoga is much more than a physical exercise. Its practice and philosophy enable us to access a new dimension of the self, even while providing a holistic approach to health and well-being. Yoga inculcates a sense of internal discipline, helps us to restore our balance and furnishes us with a much needed sense of clarity. Through its unifying power, we seek completeness and oneness with the world.
The IDY events in all cities were open to the public. The Indian Embassy expresses its sincere appreciation to Croatian people from all walks of life that took part in this extraordinary journey in quest for global peace, harmony and happiness. This being the tourist season, the events also attracted a lot of tourists, and showcased Croatia as a truly multi-cultural and multi-dimensional country. Global publicity was given.
