Plenković stated the government and Culture Ministry will find institutional and financial ways to support numerous projects in Croatian culture
The exhibition “Passionate Beauty” which presents a selection of the broad collection of gallerist, patron and collector Dagmar Meneghello, was unveiled in the Klovićevi Dvori Gallery by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković who stated the government and Culture Ministry will find institutional and financial ways to support numerous projects in Croatian culture, as Direktno.hr reported on May 26, 2017.
A part of the Mediterranean and wonderful Palmižana, the home of Mrs Meneghello for over five decades, where she has created a very esteemed art oasis, was brought to Zagreb by chosen works of artists such as Nives Kavurić Kurtović, Ivan Lesjak, Željko Hegedušić, Ivo Šebalj, Ferdinand Kulmer and Toni Franović. PM Plenković thanked Mrs Meneghello for her long term work and opportunity for visitors to see what she has acquired over the years.
Recalling his own Hvar roots, Plenković especially thanked the author of the exhibition, Hvar native and Academician Tonko Maroević. He reminded that last year in the European Parliament a commemoration was held of 2.400 years of Stari Grad on Hvar Island and that he said to colleagues then that “after all the speeches, elaborations and inspirations of the Mediterranean and Adriatic, civilisation, Croatian and European culture, it is difficult to say more or better than in the way Tonko does so.”
Plenković pointed out Maroević “confirmed this tonight again by evoking the main accents of 50 years of the attempts of Mrs Meneghello as a Zagreb native on Hvar, him as a Hvar native in Zagreb and even me as a semi-Hvar native in Zagreb, offering us an opportunity to see very thoroughly and carefully selected works of Croatian artists who could certainly feel that beauty of the Mediterranean in the ambience of Hvar Island and Palmižana.”
“With high esteem for your work, effort and contribution to the development of established artists, but also chances you gave to young artists, bonds you have with colleagues from around the world, you have contributed to the creation of such a rich collection,” were words of thanks from the PM to Mrs Meneghello. He added he looks forward to see with everyone “part of your acquis, to say this in a European way, as Rijeka will be the European culture capital in 2020, another opportunity to confirm how open Croatia is to culture, Europe and the world.”
The Prime Minister ascertained that “we will, when speaking of activities of the Culture Ministry, Minister Obuljen Koržinek and State Secretary Poljičko find both institutional and financial means to aid and promote numerous projects in Croatian culture.”
Exhibition author Tonko Maroević feels Dagmar Meneghello managed to retain her isolation precisely due to art, as we all surely know living on an island is not always easy.
“Here we naturally celebrate art works and the collection, but I would primarily celebrate the activity which to many young people meant a first stimulant at the beginning of their career, for someone to recognise and invite them,” he said.
Zagreb Mayor thanked all who, in their vision and effort, enabled us to enjoy the art works of the Dagmar Meneghello collection, which in his words, “pulsate with rich colours conveying rhythm, harmony, melody, but also the scent of the Mediterranean.” He added he is not surprised many artist answered the invitation of Mrs Meneghello as he is convinced it is hard to imagine a place which evokes in a person more inspiration that the beauty of our islands, still successfully isolated from pollution of human vanity.
“Tonight’s exhibition is of exceptional importance to present the sometimes hidden aspects of Croatian culture to all Zagreb residents and tourists who visit our city in increasing numbers,” concluded Bandić.
The exhibition “Passionate Beauty” will be open until 24 June.
