Croatian President Zoran Milanović greets members of the Croatian American Cultural Center during the president’s visit to the Croatian American Cultural Center in Biloxi, Miss. on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023.
Hannah Ruhoff
Sun Herald
The president of the Republic of Croatia, Zoran Milanović, was welcomed to Biloxi on Friday by Mayor Andrew “Fofo” Gilich and Gov. Tate Reeves in what was likely the first visit by an international president to the Mississippi Coast.
Gilich, whose four grandparents immigrated to Biloxi from Croatia, welcomed President Milanović with an official proclamation designating Sept. 22 — the date of Milanović’s visit — as Croatian Heritage Day for the city of Biloxi.
President Milanović, who said he was “impressed” by the welcome from the local Croatian-American community, visited Biloxi after attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York City.
During his visit, Milanović was welcomed in a closed-door welcoming ceremony at City Hall, then stopped at Mary Mahoney’s for lunch before a semi-public ceremony in his honor at the Croatian American Cultural Center, affectionately known to many as the Slavonian Lodge.
On Saturday, Milanović will be traveling on to Belle Chase, Louisiana for the opening of at that city’s Croatian lodge.
Take a look at photos from Milanović’s visit to Biloxi.
Croatian President Zoran Milanović and his wife First Lady Sanja Musić Milanović wave as they are welcomed at the Croatian American Cultural Center in Biloxi, Miss. on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
John Rosetti, a Croatian-American from Bay St. Louis, wears a Croatia hat while waiting for Croatian President Zoran Milanović to arrive at the Croatian American Cultural Center in Biloxi, Miss. on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
Gov. Tate Reeves and Biloxi Mayor Andrew “Fofo” Gilich welcome Croatian President Zoran Milanović on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. John Majure City of Biloxi
Croatian President Zoran Milanović and Biloxi Mayor Andrew “Fofo” Gilich greet members of the Croatian American Cultural Center during the president’s visit to the Croatian American Cultural Center in Biloxi, Miss. on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
Croatian President Zoran Milanović makes a speech before members of the Croatian American Cultural Center as he is welcomed at an event at the Croatian American Cultural Center in Biloxi, Miss. on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
Biloxi Mayor Andrew “Fofo” Gilich proclaims Sept. 22 Croatian Heritage Day during Croatian President Zoran Milanović’s visit to Biloxi on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. John Majure City of Biloxi
Members of the Croatian American Cultural Center take selfies with Croatian flags during an event welcoming Croatian President Zoran Milanović at the Croatian American Cultural Center in Biloxi, Miss. on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
Croatian First Lady Sanja Musić Milanović greets members of the Croatian American Cultural Center during the Croatian president’s visit to the Croatian American Cultural Center in Biloxi, Miss. on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
A member of the Croatian American Cultural Center holds a Croatian flag during an event welcoming Croatian President Zoran Milanović at the Croatian American Cultural Center in Biloxi, Miss. on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
Croatian First Lady Sanja Musić Milanović arrives at Biloxi City Hall in Biloxi, Miss. on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
Biloxi Mayor Andrew “Fofo” Gilich and his wife sit alongside Croatian President Zoran Milanović’s and his wife during the president’s visit to Biloxi on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. John Majure City of Biloxi
A member of the Croatian American Cultural Center wears a pin with the American and Croatian flags while waiting for Croatian President Zoran Milanović to arrive at the Croatian American Cultural Center in Biloxi, Miss. on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
Croatian President Zoran Milanović greets members of the Croatian American Cultural Center during the president’s visit to the Croatian American Cultural Center in Biloxi, Miss. on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
Sen. Rodger Wicker arrives at Biloxi City Hall in Biloxi, Miss. on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, before a welcoming ceremony for Croatian President Zoran Milanović. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
Croatian President Zoran Milanović makes a speech before members of the Croatian American Cultural Center as he is welcomed at an event at the Croatian American Cultural Center in Biloxi, Miss. on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald
