Marijan Gubina
Humanitarian, peacemaker and writer Marijan Gubina was born on February 23, 1981 in Vinkovci, Croatia. Not far from Vukovar and Osijek, in the Slavonian town of Dalj, he spent his childhood happily with his six-member family. On the fateful August 1, 1991, Marijan Gubina became a victim of war, deprived of his liberty for 260 days during which he was subjected to the most cruel forms of violence, on the basis of which he later acquired the status of a concentration camp inmate.
He was expelled from the camp, which was also his place of residence, on April 16, 1992, in a group of 50 people, and with part of his family he found refuge in Osijek as a refugee.
Despite his traumas and illnesses, he continued his education and stood out as one of the best students, but Marijan Gubina’s ordeal did not end:
This was followed by the tragic death of his father, a Croatian soldier who had previously been wounded, the death of his younger sister, and finally, due to a series of unfortunate circumstances, he became homeless.
Marijan does not lose faith in a better tomorrow. He studies and works at the same time.
He successfully graduates from high school and establishes a company.
Along with entrepreneurship, he is increasingly sensitive to social issues.
As a witness to social problems and the modern scourge of various forms of addiction, including drug addiction, Marijan approaches his own education and work to prevent the abuse of narcotics.
His humanitarian work and projects, the author and leader of which he is (in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team), are recognized by local government and state institutions.
Through his work as a volunteer, and as a long-time president of the Osijek League for the Fight against Addiction, he has achieved excellent results and, after seven years of education in theory and practice, he is turning to basic social problems with the aim of solving social problems and developing a culture of peace.
In the following decades, Marijan confirmed his humanity on a daily basis with a series of examples, implementing numerous programs, projects and actions throughout Croatia and abroad aimed at reducing the number of those in need and developing a culture of peace as a counterweight to the ubiquitous crisis of faith and morality and a violent lifestyle.
With his example, Marijan influenced the development and strengthening of the international peace network. What makes Marijan special and why individuals and institutions recognize him as a humanitarian and peacemaker is his extensive work in the field of humanity and pacifism, and his work was rewarded with numerous letters of thanks and recognition from civil society organizations, state and international institutions. The crowning recognition is the decoration of the Republic of Croatia with the Order of the Croatian pleter in 2017.
The reading public, including professional critics, recognized Marijan as a writer, especially for his work 260 DAYS, which achieved excellent results as an autobiographical novel, a theater play produced by the Croatian National Theater in Osijek, a radio drama of the same name by the Croatian Radio, and a number of other works that led to the filming of a feature film of high international production (which is in progress).
Marijan Gubina treats the novel 260 DAYS as a self-help book and often uses it as a kind of manual in his numerous lectures, which also aim to motivate people of different ages and worldviews.
Marijan currently enjoys the role of a husband, father of four children, and lives guided by his own slogan:
Do good so that the same will come back to you as soon as possible.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND RECOGNITIONS
THE ORDER OF THE CROATIAN PLETER
MARIJAN (Hinko) GUBINA is honored by the Order of the Croatian pleter, for his special contribution to the development and reputation of the Republic of Croatia and the well-being of its citizens.
President of the Republic of Croatia
Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic
CHARTER OF HUMANITY
Osijek-Baranja County awards the Muniment of Humanity to Marijan Gubina for his contribution to the affirmation of humanity as a universal principle of civilization.
Prefect Osijek-Baranja County
dr.sc. Vladimir Sisljagic
SEAL OF THE CITY OF OSIJEK
The City Council of the CITY OF OSIJEK expresses its gratitude to Mr. Marijan Gubina by awarding the STAMP OF THE CITY OF OSIJEK for special humanitarian activities and the development of dialogue, peace, multiethnic and multi-confessional tolerance.
President of the City Council of the City of Osijek
Anto Đapić, B.Sc. iur.
Mayor of the City of Osijek
Ivan Vrkić, B.Sc. iur
COAT OF ARMS OF THE CITY OF BIOGRAD NA MORU
The coat of arms of the City of Biograd na Moru is awarded to Marijan Gubina for his contribution to the reputation of the City of Biograd na Moru and the development of a culture of peace.
Mayor of the City of Biograd na Moru
Ivan Knez, B.Sc. ing. agr.
LETTER OF THANKS FROM THE FEDERATION OF BIH
Bosnia and Herzegovina – The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina awards A Certificate of Appreciation to Marijan Gubina for his exceptional contribution in providing assistance to the affected population in the areas affected by the catastrophic floods.
President of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Zivko Budimir
WITNESS OF THE YEAR
Due to many years of public action and advocacy for the development of a culture of peace, humanitarian work, the fight against violence and addiction, the promotion of a culture of life and philanthropy in general, Marijan Gubina is the winner of the Vigilare Foundation’s Witness of the Year award.
President of the Vigilare Foundation Dr. Vice John Batarelo
KRUNOSLAV SUKIĆ AWARD
The Krunoslav Sukić Award for the Promotion of Peacekeeping, Nonviolence and Human Rights is awarded with gratitude to Marijan Gubina for his contribution to the promotion of a culture of peace.
Center for Peace, Nonviolence and Human Rights, Osijek
CHARTER ON HONORARY MEMBERSHIP
Croatian Red Cross – City Society of the Red Cross Osijek awards the Muniment of Honorary Membership to Marijan Gubina. For support, exceptional contribution and assistance in developing the conditions for achieving the program goals and humanitarian tasks of the Croatian Red Cross – City Society of the Red Cross Osijek.
Director Marko Đukić, prof.
President prof.dr.sc. Aleksandar Včev, MD
JUBILAR RECOGNITION OF THE CROATIAN RED CROSS
The jubilee award of the Croatian Red Cross – City Society of the Red Cross Osijek is awarded to Marijan Gubina for significant contribution to the general progress and commitment in organizing and implementing the program of the City Society of the Red Cross Osijek and achieving humanitarian goals.
Director Marko Đukić, prof.
President prof. dr.sc. Aleksandar Včev, MD
CROATIAN RED CROSS LETTER OF THANKS
CROATIAN RED CROSS awards a Certificate of Appreciation to Marijan Gubina for encouraging and developing awareness of the need for blood donation and assistance in organizing voluntary blood donation campaigns.
President Prim. dr. Josip Jelić
DIPLOMA OF THE BALKAN ARTISTS ASSOCIATION
The Association of Balkan Artists awards the Diploma to Marijan Gubina for help, support and exceptional contribution to the work of the Association and the realization of the humanitarian project HUG LIFE.
President Dijana Uherek Stevanović
LETTER OF THANKS TO BAGATIN POLYCLINIC
Polyclinic Bagatin awards a Certificate of Appreciation to Marijan Gubina for his contribution to the program for developing the knowledge and skills of the employees of the Polyclinic Bagatin.
CEO Director Ognjen Bagatin
LETTER OF APPRECIATION FROM THE MSVIJET CENTRE AND THE PEACE CENTRE
The MSvijet Mediation Center and the Center for Peace, Nonviolence and Human Rights – Osijek award a Certificate of Appreciation to Marijan Gubina for supporting peacekeeping efforts in schools and contributing to the program of study and educational visits to the Peacekeeping School.
For the MSvijet Mediation Center – Sonja Kersten
For the Center for Peace, Nonviolence and Human Rights – Katarina Kruhonja
THANKS FROM THE HOTEL AND TOURISM SCHOOL
Certificate of Appreciation from the Hotel and Tourism School in Zagreb to Marijan Gubina for the development of a culture of peace.
Hotel and tourism school in Zagreb
LETTER OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM THE CROATIAN SOCIETY OF DETAINEES OF SERBIAN CONCETRATION CAMPS
The Croatian Association of Detainees of Serbian Concentration Camps – a branch of Osijek-Baranja County awards a Certificate of Appreciation to Marijan Gubina for his selfless contribution to the development of society.
President Damir Buljević
LETTER OF APPRECIATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A CULTURE OF PEACE
KULTura sNOVA Zagreb awards a Certificate of Appreciation to Marijan Gubina for the development of a culture of peace (Pen for Peace).
President Zdravko Odorcic
LETTER OF THANKS FROM THE JAVOR OSIJEK SCOUT CLUB
The Javor Osijek Scout Club and the Croatian Scout Association award a Certificate of Appreciation for the participation, support and assistance in organizing the 13th Meeting of the Croatian Scout Association.
Croatian Scout Association
LETTER OF THANKS FROM THE FENIX ASSOCIATION
The Association of Special Police of the Homeland War Fenix Posavina awards a Certificate of Appreciation to Marijan Gubina for his selfless contribution to the work of the Association.
President Josip Markovic
THANK YOU - STUDENT WAVE
The student wave of help awards a Certificate of Appreciation to Marijan Gubina for helping the victims of the floods in Slavonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Student dormitory “Stjepan Radic”
LETTER OF THANKS FROM THE FENIKS ASSOCIATION
FENIKS – sports and dance association awards a Certificate of Appreciation to Marijan Gubina for exceptional contribution to the promotion of dance culture and supporting the work of the sports and dance association Feniks.
President Darko Valentić
LETTER OF THANKS FROM THE FRA MLADEN HRKAČ ASSOCIATION
The Humanitarian Association Fra Mladen Hrkac awards a Certificate of Appreciation to Marijan Gubina for his participation and significant contribution to the work of the Association – help in improving the quality of life for those who really need help the most.
President of HUMH Ivan Soldo
LETTER OF APPRECIATION FROM THE BALKAN ARTISTS ASSOCIATION
The Association of Balkan Artists awards a Certificate of Appreciation to Marijana Gubina for her outstanding contribution to the work of the Association, in the field of tolerance and philanthropy.
Association of Balkan Artists
LETTER OF THANKS FROM THE DOKKICA ASSOCIATION
The DOKKICA Association awards a Certificate of Appreciation to Marijan Gubina for his support in the work.
President Ines Novak
