Bundesbank chief resigned after pressure put on Ireland

THE former president of the German Bundesbank, Axel Weber, resigned partly because he disagreed with the pressure put on Ireland to repay all bank debts to bondholders, a prominent economist claims in today’s Irish Independent.
Mr Weber was favourite to take over the presidency of the European Central Bank and his sudden resignation sent shockwaves through the European financial and political systems.The job is now expected to go to Italian central banker Mario Draghi, which will add to the political difficulties of German Chancellor Angela Marckel.

Writing in today’s newspaper, Gary O’Callaghan, professor of economics at Dubrovnik International University, says Mr Weber also thought Ireland should be given a longer repayment period for its bailout loans.Dr O’Callaghan, who previously was on the staff of the IMF and acts as an adviser to various governments, blames the ECB for precipitating a “run” on Irish banks last September through public complaints about the cost of supporting Irish banks.

Over €130bn left the Irish banking system between September and November, from domestic and foreign banks.”Offshore banks are in no way dependent on the Irish Government for existing or potential support,” Dr O’Callaghan says.”Both domestic and offshore banks depend on the ECB, however, and the common bank run points to a common cause — the threatened removal of ECB support. The ECB had to very significantly increase its support to Irish banks as a result of a run that it itself precipitated.”

He suggests that another banking inquiry could interview people like Mr Weber. “Their evidence would surely bolster Mr Noonan’s diplomatic offensive to secure more favourable terms.”He believes a bailout would have been needed even if there had not been the run on the banks but it could have come later — as Brian Cowen hoped.

“It could have been arranged quietly and without such a loss in deposits. Moreover, it should have included a credible ECB commitment to the medium-term stability of the banks.

“We still do not have such a commitment and, as a result, our banks continue to shed deposits and have turned into ‘zombie’ institutions that cannot underpin a recovery,” Dr O’Callaghan says.

“The Irish programme will have to be revised because it cannot be implemented as planned, and the debt level is unsustainable,” he adds.

FAMOUZ CITIZENS

Ruđer Bošković

Rudjer BoskovicIn his lifetime a personality of high esteem in European circles, however, it was only the recent times that defined how he was ahead of his time and, in many things, a precursor of scientific achievements. Ruđer Bošković, one of the most famous Dubrovniker of all times, excelled with intellect, imagination and intuition with indelible traces in European history of science.

Ruđer Bošković, one of the greatest scholars of his time, was born in Dubrovnik on May 18, 1711. At 14, after an education at the Jesuit college in Dubrovnik (Collegium Ragusinum), he went to Rome to pursue his studies with the Jesuits there. Before departing for France and England in 1759, a professor of Physics and Mathematics, he taught at the Jesuit schools in Fermo and Rome. At his most prolific years, he published some 40 treatises and prepared his most relevant works on natural philosophy. Some of his papers deal with issues on light, on the law of continuity, and on the laws of natural powers. Bošković also made his name when he measured the two meridian degrees in the Papal State by using apparatus and gauging he himself improved. Traveling extensively throughout Europe, he stooped in Paris and Vienna, where he published his most important work on Philosophiae maturalis theoria redacta ad unicam legem virium in Natura existentium (known under a shorter title as A Theory of Natural Philosophy). In London he studied lunar and solar eclipses. A tempest prevented his ship from arriving in Istanbul from Venice in time to observe the passage of Venus by the Sun – disembarked at the islet of Tened, he studied the ruins of Troy instead. From Istanbul, having missed the desired experience of an unusual encounter of the planets, he set of to Bulgaria, then to Moldavia and then to Poland, the voyage minutely described in his diary.

In 1770 he moved to Milan to reach at the new department of astronomy and optics, but having failed the appointment to the director of the observatory in which he had invested his own money and time, disillusioned, he moved to Venice. Though away almost all his lifetime, Bošković never lost his links with Dubrovnik, maintained especially through a regular correspondence with his elder brother Baro and sister Anica. He never stopped to care for the welfare of his native town. And was always ready to answer requests by the Dubrovnik Senate and to assist in diplomatic and political issues. Reflecting upon a return home, yet incessantly busy, he went to Milan to prepare for the publication of his five-volume work “Pieces from Optics and Astronomy “, where he died in 1787.
Ruđer Bošković was not only a scholar, but, to the fashion of his time, a Latin poet too. His poetic versatility shines in De solis ac Lunae defectubis, describing abstract astronomic theories in easy-flowing, elegant hexameters. He was a fellow of the Roman Arcadia that published his poetry in its editions.

In his lifetime he was a personality of high esteem in European scientific circles. However, only recent times have defined just how much Bošković was ahead of his time and, in many things, a precursor of scientific achievements. Ruđer Bošković, one of the most famous Dubrovnikers of all times, excelled with an intellect, imagination and intuition that have left traces in the history of European science.

Marin Getaldić

Devil in maths, angel in heart

Marin GetaldicMarin Getaldić caused real awe in his fellow- citizens with his experiments with parabolic mirrors he performed in the cave of St. James, named “Bete`s cave” after his own nickname. The mirrors destroyed metals, lead and silver alike, at a distance. The stories have it that Getaldić put in danger the ships sailing in the vicinity. One such mirror, two meters in diameter, is displayed at the Maritime Museum in Greenwich.

During his lifetime, Marin Getaldić (1568-1626) enjoyed high esteem and glory all over Europe for his numerous scientific works. The Dubrovnik Republic, however, preferred practical to theoretical discoveries, so Getaldić had to earn his living as a notary and public servant. In his letters to his contemporaries elsewhere, he complained about his government’s negligence concerning the progress of basic theoretical disciplines. His family lived in a house at St. James, right above a large cave (later named after Martins nickname). In the 17th century, the cave was the source of real awe to Dubrovniker`s. His experiments with parabolic mirrors destroyed metals at a large distance, and traditions have it that Getaldić even set some ships on fire. Among his historic achievements in his pioneer use of some sort of hydrostatic scales for scientific purpose, and made his calculations on the relative weight of eleven matters: gold, mercury, lead, silver, copper, tin, honey, wine, wax and oil, He collaborated and corresponded with the most reputable scientists in England, Italy, France and Belgium., like Francois Viete and Galileo Galilei. Between 1603 and 1607, he published five works. One of his most important treaties “De resolutione et compositionem mathematica” was published after his death (1630).

Betina CaveGetaldić was a reputable councilor of the Minor and Mayor councils, took part in diplomatic missions of the republic, was its envoy to Istanbul, was a friend to pope Urban VIII who supported the publication of his works. In 1604 he was assigned the fortification and restoration of the Podzvizd Fort in Ston. Venetian scientist Paolo Scarpi qualified Getaldić, the great mathematician and physicist, as ” a devil in mathematics, an angel in heart.

Dubrovnik Weather

Dubrovnik Weather – Sunny Mediterranean climate
The weather in Dubrovnik is typical of Croatia in general: long hot Mediterranean summers and short mild winters. Dubrovnik weather is notable for its long holiday season. Dubrovnik temperatures begin to rise as early as February, and by April the city is enjoying average highs of 17º. Temperatures drop very little in September. Evenings are pleasantly warm even in October. Dubrovnik weather is perfect for romantic evenings of al fresco dining and open-air dancing. Dubrovnik is a particularly sunny city. Average sunshine hours in Dubrovnik compare favourably with southern Spanish cities like Malaga and Seville. June to late September sees over 10 hours of sunshine a day. Sunny weather and warm sea temperatures on the Dubrovnik Riviera have made the region a favourite with serious sunbathers and fans of diving, snorkelling and sailing. Hot summers and beautiful sparkling water make Dubrovnik island beaches a favourite destination for naturist holidays.

Dubrovnik Weather – Warm summer nights
Deciding when to take a Dubrovnik city break is largely a question of heat. Summer temperatures in Dubrovnik are high, particularly in July and August, when temperatures regularly reach 30º. Fortunately, sea breezes keep things manageable. Summer weather in Dubrovnik is idyllic for lazy pavement cafes and the beaches, but if you plan a lot of sightseeing you might prefer spring and autumn when Dubrovnik average high temperatures are around 20º, there is plenty of sunshine, and there are far fewer tourists. Many residents would suggest spring as the best time to go to Dubrovnik. Easter temperatures are idyllic for exploring the city and you avoid the intense heat of the summer.

Dubrovnik Weather – Short mild winters
Outside of July and August there is always the chance of rain. Spring is drier than autumn. Dubrovnik winter weather will seem pleasantly mild coming from the UK. Our weather chart for Dubrovnik shows average highs in December of 14º: perfectly pleasant for relaxed sightseeing. Winter days still see around 4 hours a day of Mediterranean sunshine.

A city in rhythm with good entertainment

In that you are not alone, who doesn’t ? Right time, right place! Go to Dubrovnik, the very place to have a good time in.

At New Year’s Eve, the Dubrovnik Summer Festival, Masquerades…all these spectacular events will be etched in your mind forever. The fact that the television station CNN ranked Dubrovnik among the seven most attractive locations in the world for New Year’s Eve 2001 speaks for itself regarding the quality of entertainment, accommodation, food and beverages. CNN tried to give its viewers a glimpse of Dubrovnik that night, a night when the city became a body of forty thousand, moving to a single rhythm, the rhythm of good entertainment! A new dimension of tourism has been opened in Dubrovnik, a winter, New Year’s Eve kind of tourism, where locals, Slovenians, Italians, Germans, British…together they counted down the last few seconds under the Bell Tower waiting for Maro and Baro to strike midnight.

Every night has its power, yet the night of July 10th has a magic power indeed, Dubrovnik proudly presents the opening of the Dubrovnik Summer festival, go and see for yourself and let us know if we are right?!
As early as 1950, Dubrovnik with its summer festival was heralded a world phenomenon in new theater. Surrounded by the architectural beauty of Dubrovnik, actors from around the world have found the inspiration to bring to life renaissance sensibility, and reveal their closer contact with the audience. The festival has brought a new and wonderful atmosphere to the town, and has become one of Dubrovnik’s essential attributes.
The Masquerades in the Old town begin after the St.Blaise festivity at the beginning of February, culminate during three days preceding Ash Wednesday and end by the closing carnival night. In recent years the Dubrovnik Masquerade has become a traditional segment of winter tourism. Stradun is the meeting place of young and old people from Dubrovnik and Pupa with their guests. Dominos, clowns, Pierrots, courtesans, gypsy ladies, punks and hippies – there are so many of them out there in the streets of February” when the people just go crazy”.

Another special reason to be in Dubrovnik on festive occasion is to watch the City Brass band which has an impressive history and has been active for over one hundred and sixty years. The festive days in the city are made even more so by the sounds of trumpets, trombones, bombardina, clarinets, tambourines, and the attraction of uniforms – the official dress of band players in the uniform of the colors of Dubrovnik – red and blue. Dubrovnik can also invite you to participate in the ordinary night life entertainment, when people gather in the Old Town, at Stradun, sipping on a drink, talking a walk or observing the old harbor in nightlight. The Old Town has become the meeting point for everyone who likes to watch and being watched, pubs, cafes, bars are all a significant part of the swirling night life in Dubrovnik.

The naval power of Dubrovnik

The history of Dubrovnik is directly connected with the history of its navy. The Dubrovnik Republic and its government managed to use its closeness to the Sea in the best possible way, ensuring growth and freedom during centuries. Without its naval power, Dubrovnik would probably have never become one of the most important cultural and merchant centers on the Mediterranean, especially from the 16th to 18th century.

old naval documentThe beginning of the Dubrovnik navy can be traced back to the 9th century and it reached its highlights between 1580 and 1600. In that time Dubrovnik merchant navy had more than 200 ships that sailed all the seas. Numerous documents testify about the merchant industry in Dubrovnik, since the laws of the Dubrovnik Republic required that every ship had to have a writer. That way, all information’s were archived, showing ownership contracts, names of the captains, information’s about the ports etc. The diplomacy skills of the Dubrovnik Republic are unique in the naval world history. Business was conducted under very favorable conditions with numerous countries along the Mediterranean, turning even enemies into trading partners.

The greatest rival in those times was Venice, as Dubrovnik stood in its way for the complete domination on the Mediterranean. From open conflicts to the recognition of the sovereignty of Venice over Dubrovnik that lasted for 150 years (13th – 14th century), Venice remained a threat for the prosperity and freedom of the Dubrovnik Republic. All efforts were directed towards using all available means to protect and defend the Republic from Venice. Even during its complete financial breakdown due to the Great earthquake in 1667, ruined and devastated, the diplomacy skill of the Dubrovnik Republic managed to prevent Venice from conquering Dubrovnik.
The Venetian fleet approached Dubrovnik under the excuse that they only wanted to help, but in reality just waiting for a chance to enter and conquer Dubrovnik.

Records say that the Dubrovnik citizen Nikolica Bunić managed to prevent the Venetian, sending their ships back with help of only diplomacy. The tale tells that, when the Venetian fleet arrived outside Dubrovnik at the 17th April 1667, a Dubrovnik ship crossed their way, stopping them. On that ship there was the representative of the Republic Niolica Bunić, the only survived senator after the big earthquake. Bunić stepped on deck of the Venetian commander’s vessel and gave him the following greeting:” In the name of the Rector and the Dubrovnik Republic Senate”, even if in that moment Dubrovnik did not have either a Rector or a Senate. Assured of an easy conquer, the Venetian commander Cornaro cordially accepted the representative of Dubrovnik. But his surprise was great when, while expecting words of surrender, he was meet by :” Welcome to the water of the Republic”. The astonished commander Cornaro could not do much but to continue in the same style :

” the Duke has send me to offer help and assistance against the Turkish army and other plunderers”.

Bunić thanked the commander with the remark:” the government of Dubrovnik has enough power to prevent any attempt of foreign intrusion and, regarding the help connected with the earthquake, the republic has already taken all necessary measures, but many thanks to the Duke of Venice for his concern…”

Dubrovnik Republic naval vesselNot less determined and skilled was Marojica Kaboga under the negotiations with the Turkish Pasha who also approached Dubrovnik to, as he sad :” conquer Dubrovnik before the Venetian”. The hard negotiations and suggestive persuasions, under whom this young man showed his great talent, took long time before the Turks finally withdrew their forces.

With this the danger for Dubrovnik’s well-being was not over.
Soon after, threatening to conquer Dubrovnik, a ransom of 150 000 ducats was demanded by the Turkish Pasha. A delegation team, led by the experienced Nikolica Bunić, was send to the negotiations. According to a protocol that is preserved in the archive of Dubrovnik he was, prior of departing, instructed the following:

” Promise nothing. You can not give anythin”. You must stay against everything. Your Republic looks to you. Maybe you will die, but it will be a honourfull death, and your country will remain free”.

The fact is that Bunić, after several months of negotiations, indeed did die in the Turkish prison. Dubrovnik paid nothing and remained free.

Around 1800 the Dubrovnik Republic had a highly organized network of consulates and consular offices in more than eighty cities and ports around the world. In 1880 Dubrovnik acquired its first steam ship and from that time a new era of Dubrovnik shipping begun.

Dubrovnik Painting School

Through centuries Dubrovnik was the cradle of many famous painters. Little of the riches, created in both the famous and unknown paint shops, beginning with the frescos in the pre-romanic churches in the 11th and 12th century, to the greatest pieces of art by Ivan Ugrinović, Blaž Jurijev, Lovro and Vicko Dobričević, Nikola Božidarević and Mihailo Hamzić in the 15th and 16th century, is preserved. Many great works of art disappeared or were plundered during the centuries in fires, earthquakes and other disasters. From the remaining works it is obvious that Dubrovnik had great painters, artists with immense talent and skill that rightfully established them in the painting history of Europe under the name of The Dubrovnik Painting School.

The most recognized representatives of the Dubrovnik Painting School were Lovro Dobričević and his son Vicko Dobričević (Vicko Lovrin), Nikola Božidarević (the son of the painter Božidar Vlatković) and Mihajlo Hamzić.

From Lovro Dobričević, 15th century, three works are preserved: the Poliptih in the Dominican Monastery, Poliptih in the St. Mary church on Danče and parts of the Poliptih (St. Blaise portrait) in the Franciscan monastery, all in Dubrovnik.

From Blaž Jurjev Trogiranin, 15th century, there is the painting of Madonna in the St. Durđa church on Boninovo and a painted crucifixion in the Franciscan monastery in Ston.
From Ivan Ugrinović, 15th century, only the Poliptih in St. Antun church on island Koločep is preserved.
From Vicko Dobričević, 16th century, only the Poliptih in the Franciscan monastery in Cavtat is preserved.

From Mihajlo Hamzić, 16th century, who was educated by Andrea Mantegne in Italy, only two pieces of art are preserved; The baptism of Christ in Rectors Palace and the Triptih Lukarević in the Dominican monastery in Dubrovnik.

From Nikola Božidarević, regarded by many as the greatest talent among these painters, only four pieces of art are preserved; the Triptih Bundić, the paintings Navještenje and Sacra conversacione ( all three located in the Dominican monastery), and the Poliptih in St. Mary church on Danče, his last and, by many, most beautiful work. (Danče is the name for a small part of Dubrovnik located just outside the city walls where the church is located)

The sudden death of these painters, that happened from 1517 till 1520 marks the drastic end of a great era of the Dubrovnik painting school, an era that enriched the cultural heritage of the world.

Dubrovnik, as one the centers of art on the Mediterranean, had already in the 14th century many foreign masters working in it, mainly from Italy. They were all invited by the government of Dubrovnik to paint on the churches and other monuments in Dubrovnik.

More paintings and other pieces of art can be seen under monuments.

The city of poets, writers and scientists

Many forms of artistic expression flourished during the long and rich history of Dubrovnik. The Dubrovnik literature experienced its renaissance “rebirth” in the 15th and 16th century, when many immortal works of literature were created. Emerging from life in Dubrovnik and created to amuse, provoke, cry and laugh, Dubrovnik literature developed from the people. The Dubrovnik Rectors, regarded as the best-educated citizens of Dubrovnik of that time (Dinko Ranjina, Dominiko Zlatarić, Ivan Gundulić and others), created immortal poems about their beloved city of Dubrovnik.

Ivan Gundulić, the greatest Croatian 17th century writer, predicted the downfall of the great Turkish Empire in his great poem Osman. As freedom was regarded as the greatest value to Dubrovnik, he wrote these immortal verses that are performed till today on every opening of the world famous Dubrovnik Summer Festival:
” O you beautiful, o you dear, o you sweet freedom… all the silver, all the gold, all human lives, can not pay for your pure beauty…”.

Many other poets and writers, among them Marin Držić and Ivo Vojnović created numerous works about the glory and everyday life of Dubrovnik. Their literature still lives and is very relevant even today. Don’t miss to experience the plays; many of them are performed during the Dubrovnik Summer Festival.

Other famous citizens of Dubrovnik include the painter Vlaho Bukovac, the mathematician and astronomer Marin Getaldić , the composer and author of the Croatian first symphony Luka Sorkočević and the scientist Ruđer Bošković.

More about all of these great artists and scientists: famous citizens of Dubrovnik