12 Established 1961 Lifestyle Features Monday, May 31, 2021

This picture shows a square in central Labin, a hilltop town in the picturesque Istria peninsula known for its hilly hin- Tourists walk on the waterfront of the resort of Krk, on the northern island of Krk.— AFP photos terland and pristine coastline.

elissa Paul described it as a have applied since the scheme started in nation of things, offers a very unique spent time in New Zealand, Ukraine, M“beautiful gift” when she became January, more than half of them experience,” De Jong says, highlighting France and Italy as well as working on Croatia’s first official digital nomad Americans and British. The government the scenery, connections with the rest of cruise liners. But he fell in love with the earlier this year, benefiting from a visa has so far approved 33 visas and minis- Europe and Mediterranean lifestyle. Croatian “pace of life”. “It’s not like every- scheme that the country hopes will help ters hope the idea will take off once virus- But to be successful with digital one is rushing around,” he says. “You promote its pandemic-hit travel industry. related travel restrictions are lifted. nomads, he said, Croatia needed to act work and you can enjoy your life as well.” “Croatia is gorgeous, it’s beautiful living Tourism makes up around one-fifth of the quickly and be competitive. It already had For Melissa Paul, the visa was her last here, affordable compared to other economy in the EU nation of 4.2 million rivals in Europe-Estonia launched its option. She had been living in Croatia places, has a great climate, good internet people, but the number of visitors plum- nomad visa program last year and coun- since 2014 and was married to a access,” says the American marketing meted from 21 million in 2019 to seven tries including the Czech Republic and Croatian, but divorce left her with no legal consultant, who lives among cobblestone million last year. Income more than Iceland have similar permits. Further way to remain. streets in Labin, a hilltop town overlook- halved to 4.8 billion euros in 2020 com- afield, Antigua is trying its luck and the “It allowed me to stay where I love liv- ing the Adriatic. pared with the previous year. The crisis Indonesian island of Bali has already ing,” she says. But Paul also stresses Paul got her visa in January, joining a has particularly affected southern areas become a major hub. Trade groups think that foreigners will bring expertise and global army of workers plying their trades such as Dubrovnik, where visitors arrive the idea is going to take off in many more knowledge that could help the wider com- in foreign countries since the pandemic mostly by plane. countries. The tourism ministry, which is munity. This idea is what motivates entre- ushered in an era of working from home backing De Jong’s idea, sees it as a long- American marketing consultant Melissa preneur De Jong, who hopes the influ- for millions. Croatia offers the special ‘Very unique’ term opportunity to boost the industry Paul, who became Croatia’s first official dig- ence of foreign digital workers might help visas to digital workers from outside the With the drop-off in tourism, the time rather than a quick fix to the pandemic- ital nomad in January, poses in the old part young Croatians, many of whom want to European Union, allowing them to stay was ripe for a fresh idea, and Croatia- related crisis. The ministry told AFP the of Labin, a hilltop town overlooking the leave their own country. “They would be for up to a year and exempting them from based Dutch entrepreneur Jan de Jong digital workers could become Croatia’s Adriatic known for its cobblestone streets. bringing their mindset and experience and income tax. Applicants need to prove was on hand to supply it. He used social best promoters, spreading the word to can really have a positive impact on the they work remotely, have accommodation media last year to call on Prime Minister their peers. promote the benefits of Croatia is content mindset, mostly of the young generation,” and health insurance and earn at least Andrej Plenkovic to introduce the visas- creator Steve Tsentserensky, who arrived says the Dutch father of four. — AFP 2,200 euros ($2,700) a month. and six months later they became reality. ‘Enjoy your life’ in the country after years of globetrotting. Paul is one of about 100 people to “Croatia overall, especially in the combi- Among the early adopters happy to Originally from the United States, he has US concert offers $980 ‘discount’ for

In this file photo Gavin Macleod attends a vaccinated fans ceremony honoring the “The Love Boat” with the Hollywood Walk Of Fame Honorary Star Plaque on May 10, 2018 in Hollywood, S authorities eager to get people California. — AFP Uvaccinated against COVID-19 have tarved of live music for the past offered inducements ranging from Syear, fans of veteran French rock free beer to million-dollar lottery prizes, band Indochine on Saturday got a and now rock concert promoters have chance to see their idols in concert, all in their own twist: whopping ticket discounts. ‘Love Boat’ the name of COVID-19 research. Around Fans of punk bands Teenage 5,000 concert goers took part in the BottleRocket, MakeWar and Rutterkin experimental event at Paris’s Bercy con- can get into the June 26 concert in captain Gavin cert hall. A further 2,500 volunteers who In this file photo French band Indochine members (from left) guitarist Boris Jardel, singer coastal Saint Petersburg, Florida for a did not attend the concert will serve as a Nicola Sirkis and guitarist Oli de Sat pose in Paris, after being awarded by a double platini- “discounted” $18 if they can produce comparison group. The trial to assess the um disc. — AFP photos proof they have been fully vaccinated. For risk of COVID transmission at events has those with no such proof, it’s an even MacLeod been eagerly awaited by the live music “It’s been so long that we have wait- went ahead two days before the exten- $999.99. and entertainment sector which has been ed for a reopening of this kind of event. sion of France’s vaccination program Paul Williams of Leadfoot Productions devastated by COVID-19. So finding a concert, in addition to it to all adults, selecting participants from in nearby Tampa Bay said that with vacci- dead at 90 being Indochine, is really great,” said among 20,000 volunteers. nations now available to everyone 12 and Camille, 26, from the Paris suburbs. Results from the concertgoers study, above, and people clamoring to again Lyrics from one song, “Marilyn”, seemed organized at the initiative of the AP-HP attend live concerts, he wanted to offer avin MacLeod, a veteran support- to express what many music fans have (Assistance publique-Hopitaux de Paris) them a safe experience.”I also wanted it Ging actor best known for his role as been feeling: “We want to live... even and Prodiss, the national union for to be a vaccine drive to get the fence-sit- an ever-smiling cruise ship captain stronger.” Before being admitted, the musical and variety shows, with govern- ters off the fence,” Williams told ABC on the 1970s-80s sitcom “The Love concert goers, all aged 18-45 with no ment support, are expected by late News. He said the response to his pro- Boat,” died Saturday at the age of 90. His special risk factors, handed over an June. Previous experimental events in motion had been “overwhelmingly posi- death was confirmed to the showbiz pub- envelope containing a saliva test done Spain and Britain have not shown any tive,” but that some angry critics had lication Variety by his nephew Mark See. earlier on Saturday. Each person was increased risk of transmission. As the obtained his phone number and made No cause of death was given. MacLeod also required to have had a negative French summer music festival season their views abundantly clear. Williams was little known to the public until he antigen test in the last three days. approaches however, several major said the lead band, Teenage landed the role of a wisecracking televi- Once inside, no social distancing events have already decided to throw in BottleRocket, was initially skeptical but sion news writer on the “Mary Tyler was required but masks were compul- the towel. They are only authorized to had come around. Moore Show” in 1970. The program was sory. Due to the 9 pm curfew still in go ahead, if fans are limited to one per In a video on Facebook, the band’s a smash hit, lasted seven seasons and is In this file photo French singer Nicolas place in France, the concert started four square meters (4.8 square singer and guitar player Ray Carlisle tells considered a classic of the American sit- Sirkis from French rock band Indochine cel- earlier than usual with Indochine on yards).— AFP fans: “We want to set a good example... com genre. ebrates after receiving the ‘French variety stage by 6 pm. Similar trials have we’ve been vaccinated. We’d love if you MacLeod went on to even greater music’ award during the SACEM Grand Prix already taken place elsewhere in got vaccinated too. Come party with us. fame playing Captain Stubing on “The awards ceremony at the Salle Pleyel de Europe and the Bercy concert had been Safety first-party second!” An early rush Love Boat,” in which passengers, often Paris. postponed a number of times. It finally for vaccination in the US has slowed played by real life stars such as Gene sharply since mid-April, leading to the Kelly, came aboard for a cruise and had closing of some clinics and raising con- romantic or humorous adventures. The cerns among public health officials. The show was panned from a critical stand- state of Ohio took the unusual step of point but proved to be hugely popular and announcing that any resident who had lasted 11 seasons, spawning several gotten at least one shot would be eligible spinoff movies. MacLeod landed a job as to win a lottery prize of $1 million. —AFP pitchman for Princess Cruise Lines. “The critics hated it. They called it mindless TV, but we became goodwill ambassadors,” he told The Los Angeles Times in 2013. MacLeod was remembered Saturday by the actor Edward Asner, who played the grumpy but loveable newsroom chief Lou Grant on the “Mary Tyler Moore Show.” Moore died in 2017. The actress Betty White, who also appeared on the show, is now 99. “My heart is broken. Gavin was my brother, my partner in crime (and food) and my comic conspira- tor,” Asner, who is 91, tweeted. “I will see you in a bit Gavin. Tell the gang I will see People cheer during a concert of French DJ Etienne de People arrive to attend a test concert of French rock band Indochine and them in a bit. Betty! It’s just you and me Crecy and pop band Indochine. French DJ Etienne de Crecy, aimed to investigate how such events can take now,” Asner wrote. — AFP place safely amidst the COVID-19 pandemic at the AccorHotels Arena in Paris.