Croatia/ 1. Historical perspective: cultural policies and instruments  

After the Second World War, Croatia was one of the republics confirming the second Yugoslav Federation. Its cultural policy was designed to accomplish the ideological mission of building up a socialist culture. Art was governed by the canon of socialist realism and science and education were governed by the canon of dialectic and historical materialism. Culture was concentrated in towns and disseminated through trade unions.

The 1960s and 1970s were a time when cultural professionalism and decentralisation were emphasised as a reflection of the country's multiethnic character. Ideological control over culture loosened, followed by political liberalisation that ended with the emergence of the "Croatian Spring" in 1971. This was a national movement in which cultural and educational institutions played a main role, mainly Matica Hrvatska (a publishing house established in the 19th century with branches around Croatia) and the Zagreb University. Despite the ensuing political repression over those supporting this national movement, the decentralisation of cultural and other public policies continued and led to greater autonomy of the republics in the federation.

From the 1970s to the end of the 1980s the introduction of self-management in culture and other public fields led to the establishment of quasi-market measures. Instead of grants from the budget, special funds were created and their allocation was decided by bodies composed of providers and recipients of services. This new system became increasingly embroiled in the main political clash between federal centralists and republican co-federalists. These political clashes led to war and the eventual dissolution of Yugoslavia.

In the 1990s, the cultural policy of independent Croatia was politically and administratively centralised and incorporated in everyday life with special emphasis on the symbols of national tradition. It was designed to foster a sense of national cohesion, especially at the beginning of the period when the country was drawn into war. In the formal sense, the policy was formulated in general terms emphasising pluralism, a market approach, freedom of creativity, professionalism and de-ideologisation. Cultural planning and funding gave priority to activities of "national interests" in culture and left all other activities to the market and to NGOs.

Since 2000, when the new coalition government was elected, there has been a broader implementation of cultural policy in the sense of a pluralist cultural orientation. A more balanced approach to tradition and a new evaluation of the national and the multicultural components is being undertaken with steps towards further decentralisation and direct co-operation with NGOs.

The current government was appointed in 2004. Since that time, there have not been any major shifts in cultural policy development and overall cultural policy strategy. Major reforms were undertaken in the book sector, as well as in the audiovisual sector and performing arts, with the adoption of new laws. There was also a reorganisation in the government with a new division of portfolios and reduction in the number of ministries. As a result, the Ministry of Culture became responsible for the protection of nature and biodiversity.

The period since 2005 has been marked by the beginning of negotiations for Croatia's full membership in the European Union which has given a new impetus for reforms in all sectors including the cultural and audiovisual sector.