I was greatly saddened to learn that my good friend – and a great friend of Croatia – Lady Beresford-Peirse has unexpectedly died in London. Jadranka Beresford-Peirse and I met in 1991 through our commitment to Croatian independence and our opposition to the war of aggression launched against it. She was charming, well connected – as the wife of Sir Henry Beresford-Peirse, who selflessly supported her work – but above all, Jadranka was fearless. I wish I could remember all she told me of her early visits to bombed, bleeding and apparently beaten Croatia at that terrible time. But she is no longer here to remind me of the details… I do know that she pressed relentlessly all the contacts she had acquired – and no one knew better than Jadranka how to charm her way into any circle for the great Croatian cause – to donate to her charity, the International Trust for Croatian Monuments.
Among those she charmed was Margaret Thatcher. Mrs Thatcher was enraged by the West’s indifference to Croatian suffering, and she was ready to listen to any suggestions about how to relieve it. At one event at the Croatian embassy where the two women were present – I think they had met briefly before that, through me – Mrs Thatcher remarked on the beautiful but simple brooch that Jadranka was wearing. It was one of those pieces of jewellery from Dubrovnik that have a special attractive simplicity. Jadranka took it off and pinned it on the former Prime Minister’s lapel. Someone accompanying Mrs Thatcher protested and said that she couldn’t possible accept – but she did. It was a sign of mutual confidence and respect. The Thatcher Foundation later made a substantial gift to Jadranka’s charity.
Over the years, Jadranka revealed to me much about her past – including the dreadful family circumstances she endured after the Communists took power in 1945. She was, like many emigres, always careful what she said in public. But she knew that Croatian freedom, first from Communist tyranny and then from Greater Serb aggression, was the highest goal she could help to achieve. She did more than this. She put in all her effort in the years remaining to her to raising the level of international understanding of Croatia and its rich and ancient culture, and to protecting Croatia’s artistic masterpieces.
The Centre for the Renewal of Culture expresses it sorrow at her passing, its condolences to her family whom she loved so much, and its deep appreciation of her lifetime’s work. And I, personally, express my gratitude for having known such a wonderful woman.
May she Rest in Peace.
Robin Harris, President of COK
