John Malkovich traveled this week to the island of Mali Lošinj after receiving Croatian citizenship and a Croatian passport in Zagreb, then met with the town’s mayor, Ana Kučić, during the visit.
Kučić called the meeting a special occasion and said she was impressed by Malkovich’s approachable and friendly manner. The mayor said they spoke about the island, its people and the natural beauty he experienced during his stay on Lošinj.
She also recommended that he visit the Museum of Apoxyomenos, home to one of Croatia’s most valuable museum exhibits, the ancient bronze statue of Apoxyomenos, which has been displayed in museums around the world. Kučić presented Malkovich with the book Golden Book of Lošinj Maritime Heritage by Dr Julijan Sokolić, complete with a personal dedication.
According to the mayor, Malkovich said he plans to return to Lošinj again in the future with his family. The visit came after he spent time in Zagreb before heading to Croatia’s coast, adding another chapter to a relationship with the country that has stretched across several visits over the years and traces back through his paternal great-grandparents from Ozalj, near Karlovac.
For Lošinj, the encounter linked one of Hollywood’s most recognizable names to the island’s heritage and its effort to present itself as more than a holiday stop. For Malkovich, it marked another visible return to the country tied to his family history and his long-standing connection to Croatia.
