Baloković, Zlatko, 1895-1965

An accomplished violinist, Zlatko Baloković (1895-1965) was born in Zagreb. During the 1920s and 1930s he and his wife, Joyce Borden, toured extensively in Europe. During WWII, while living in Camden, Maine, Zlatko became deeply involved with many wartime committees. In 1946, the Baloković's visited Yugoslavia as official representatives of the American Committee for Yugoslav Relief. Baloković gave numerous concerts and speeches. He became personally acquainted with Marshall Tito and Milivan Pjilas, and met Georgi Dimitrov in Bulgaria and Enver Hoxda in Albania. In 1947, the Balokovićs returned to America for a coast to coast speaking.

tour telling of their experiences. As a result of these activities, the Balokovićs were investigated by the United States House Un-American Activities Committee in 1949, but were subsequently cleared. In 1954, they made a second tour of Yugoslavia, where Zlatko received the Grand Cross of the Order of the Yugoslav Flag for his achievements. Throughout the late 1950's and early 1960's, Zlatko continued to give concerts. After his death in 1965, he was buried in Zagreb.