Chicago is one of the most powerful and most important economic, political and cultural centres in the United States and the world, Croatian President Ivo Josipovic said at the opening of the "Chicago Week" in Zagreb on Tuesday, adding that possibly Chicago would not be the city that it was today had it not been also for the large Croat community in that city.

The "Chicago Week" is a cultural event dedicated to the City of Chicago, co-organised by the United States Embassy in Zagreb, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Zagreb, the City of Zagreb and the Zagreb Youth Theater.

The event is taking place at the Museum of Contemporary Art on October 11-13, the Zagreb Youth Theater on October 12 and the central Ban J. Jelacic Square on October 13.

The organisers of the three-day event will introduce Chicago's business, history and culture to the Croatian public. U.S. Ambassador to Croatia James Foley said the aim of the "Chicago Week" was to present the city for what it is - one of the most influential cities in the world, a global industrial, communication, education and art centre.

At the same time, Chicago is the cradle of U.S. corruption, the home of the most famous gangsters, Foley said, adding that Chicago was also the home of laws which helped suppress corruption.