• Arts
  • Preservation of Cultural Heritage

Originally founded in 1857 as the Slavonic Mutual Benevolent Society, the Croatian Cultural Center of San Francisco maintains deep roots in the Croatian community. When many Balkan immigrants and refugees moved to Northern California after the 1992-95 conflict in their homeland, the Center became multi-faith and multicultural. It now provides Bulgarians, Bosnians, Hungarians, and Romany (“Gypsy”)—as well as Croatians—with a welcoming gathering place. In 2014, the Center will stage three cross-cultural festivals and four culturally specific festivals, as well as other events featuring immigrant artists. Annually, the Center serves approximately 20,000 people, 80% of whom are of Balkan descent.