The exhibition organized by the Kaštela City Library to mark the 1100th anniversary of the Croatian Kingdom opened this Thursday in the Archbishop's Castle in Sućurac. The works of the artist of the Art Association Emanuel Vidović from Split, created on the theme of Croatian kings, were presented. Around thirty paintings were exhibited, and the opening attracted numerous visitors and art lovers. The event was given a special atmosphere by musician Stjepan Radić, who accompanied the opening ceremony with an acoustic guitar.
The association's president, Cvjetana Bazina Periša, pointed out that the association is one of the oldest amateur art associations in Split, with more than half a century of work. She emphasized that "bearing the name of Emanuel Vidović is an honor and a responsibility," recalling that he is one of the greatest Croatian painters who raised generations of young artists.
She explained that the idea for the project came about after the Split-Dalmatia County announced a competition at the end of 2024, while the Croatian Parliament declared 2025 the year of remembrance of King Tomislav and his coronation. The association applied with the project "Croatian Kings through the Eyes of Artists", and out of about fifty members, forty authors responded to create works.
Bazina Periša said that the County provided financial support and that thanks to that, the exhibition catalogue was printed. She stated that the exhibition visited several locations in the county and that she sees its arrival in Kaštela as the “crown of the entire project”, in symbolic harmony with the theme of kings and queens. During the year, some of the works were donated to the places where the exhibition was hosted, and it is certain that several paintings will remain in Kaštela. She added that the authors were given complete artistic freedom, because “kingdom is not only a crown, but also symbolism”, which can be seen on the exhibition poster marked with a three-strand Croatian braid. The exhibition, she said, will remain open until December 30 and she invited everyone to visit it, emphasizing that art “destroys prejudices and borders, and that is how it should be”.
The director of the Kaštela City Library, Renata Dobrić, reminded that this year the library was particularly dedicated to marking the anniversary of the Croatian Kingdom. At the beginning of the year, the Croatian Patriotic Pen award was awarded, in June a music and quiz evening on the topic of Croatian history was held, and in September the play Tomislav and Adriana was organized. At the end of the year, during Advent, they decided to cooperate with the Art Association Emanuel Vidović, whose work, as she pointed out, is an excellent way to present the glorious history of Croatian rulers.
Dobrić said that the works of the 35 artists are accessible to all generations and that each painting can tell a story about national history. She invited students, families, retirees and all interested parties to visit the exhibition by the end of December and feel the pride that Croatian history deserves.
The exhibition will remain open until the end of the month, and the organizers believe that it will attract a large number of visitors and further enrich the Advent season in Kaštela.
Photo: Ivana Topic
