4 March 2026
The French-Croatian Chamber of Commerce and Industry had the honour of hosting a Gala Dinner on 26 February 2026 in the Emerald Hall of the Hotel Esplanade Zagreb. The event was organised in collaboration with the gastronomic association Chaîne des Rôtisseurs and with the support of the main sponsor, Eviden (Atos).
Following the recent signing of the Action Plan for the Implementation of the Strategic Partnership between Croatia and France in Paris, the evening provided an opportunity to reaffirm the strong economic, political and cultural ties between the two countries. The event gathered distinguished guests from the Chamber’s member companies, leading French and Croatian businesses, as well as representatives of the political and diplomatic community.
The evening opened with a special musical performance by opera singer Barbara Suhodolčan Vrbički and the ensemble C’est la vie, who welcomed guests with elegant interpretations of French and Croatian classics, from Édith Piaf to Tereza Kesovija.
Welcome remarks were delivered by the Chamber’s President Višnja Ježić Sorić, the envoy of the Croatian Parliament Nikola Mažar, and the Ambassador of France to Croatia, H.E. Fabien Fieschi. In their addresses, they highlighted that bilateral relations between Croatia and France have reached a new level, with trade exchange achieving record figures, while emphasising the continued potential for strengthening the cooperation between the two countries.
The gastronomic programme was introduced by Lana Kralj Dadić, who presented the association and the chef Valentin Néraudeau, who travelled from Paris for the occasion. In collaboration with the Esplanade Hotel, he created a refined, three-course menu inspired by the French culinary tradition, complemented by a selection of authentic French cheese and carefully paired wines. The artisanal bread served during the evening was generously provided by the partner Lesaffre Adriatic.
The Gala evening was also an opportunity for the Chamber to thank its long-standing partners and sponsors for their invaluable support throughout the years. A special plaque was presented to Ambassador Fabien Fieschi, who was named Honorary President of the French-Croatian Chamber, while certificates of appreciation were awarded to representatives of A.G.S. Zagreb, Bina-Istra, Dukat, L’Oréal Adria and Publicis.
Special thanks were also extended to the partners and sponsors of the evening, in particular the main sponsor Eviden, a member of the Atos Group, that represents French technological excellence in Croatia. On this occasion, the Chamber also introduced a new member, Bull Advanced Computing, also a part of the Atos Group.
The Chamber would also like to thank the other sponsors who contributed to the success of the event: Alexander Hughes, P Automobil Import, Zagreb International Airport, Bina-Istra and Publicis, as well as Altavia for producing the event materials, A.G.S., and Lesaffre Adriatic, Dukat and L’Oréal for the gifts prepared for the guests.
The evening concluded with a cognac tasting in the true French tradition, followed by the appearance of the chef and his team, who were rewarded with warm applause, bringing the event to a close in the spirit of conviviality, excellence, and gastronomic delight.
