Exhibition "Encounter" opened on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Organized by the Croatian Bishops' Conference (HBK) and the Catholic University of Croatia (CUC), and on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, an exhibition of artistic creations of persons with disabilities "Encounter" was opened at the Catholic University of Croatia  in Zagreb on Tuesday, November 26.

At the opening of the exhibition, greetings  on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities were sent by the rector of CUC, prof. Željko Tanjić, PhD, Bishop of Dubrovnik, Msgr. Roko Glasnović, the president of the sub-committee for people with disabilities at the HBK Council for Lay People, Željkica Šemper, and academic sculptor Ozren Feller.

Rector Tanjić emphasized the appropriateness of the name of the exhibition, which, he said, could not have been more beautiful. "We often point out in our messages that our Croatian Catholic University is a place of dialogue and meeting, that's why we are especially glad that we could host the authors of the exhibition and meet them personally, as well as through their works that are displayed here. Before the opening, I visited the exhibition and could not conclude that the authors were people with some form of disability. He is not reflected in any of the works that are presented here. On the contrary, some works invited me to stop and take a closer look at them. The artists who are exhibiting here today may not have the same physical capabilities as us, but the works that are exhibited speak of their rich spiritual life and the art in which they find their window to the world, for which, on behalf of our academic community, I thank and congratulate them from the bottom of my heart," pointed out Rector Tanjić.

On behalf of HBK, Bishop Glasnović highlighted the main highlights of this year's congratulatory message on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. "Our congratulation on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which will be celebrated on Tuesday, December 3, is called 'Towards Unlimited Joy'. We send this greeting to all of you, dear people with disabilities and children with developmental difficulties. We do this with the intention that, as companions, as brothers and sisters in Christ, we will continue walking together in the spirit of synodality, as the Pope has called us, regardless of the difficulties. Useful instructions for that trip are given by St. When Paul says: "Be joyful in hope, patient in tribulation, steadfast in prayer!" (Romans 12:12). It is certain that we can best learn from you that Christian joy does not come from the absence of troubles, obstacles and limitations, but from the willingness to accept them as an integral part of earthly life", said the bishop and thanked people with disabilities for their testimony of faith

"Thank you for teaching us patience in times of trouble by your example and for showing us the power of persistent prayer. Thank you for being able to shine with joy and creativity, often in hope against all hope. This is how you help us to become more joyful in our encounters with you. Thank you for enriching the Church and the whole society with the tireless testimony of the love and care shown by your family", emphasized, among others, Bishop Glasnović.

Šemper, the president of the subcommittee for people with disabilities at the HBK Council for Lay People, recalled the experience of working at the Center for Education in Dubrava, pointing out the names of those who, as she said, contributed to humanity with their work, and who had some form of disability. "At this exhibition, we can enjoy the beauty given to us by artists who secretly live their lives without drawing attention to themselves. And no, we didn't do something to them, we didn't organize this exhibition for them! They opened the windows of their souls to us so that we can see with their eyes and touch the beauty that God created. They experience it so intensely that they have to express it to us either with their hands, mouth or a brush attached to a bandaged hand. If that's the case - let's admire together the beauty that these eleven artists have given us," said Šemper.

Referring to the exhibited works of art, academic sculptor Feller said that in art everyone is equal. "Works, regardless of how they were created and who made them, are subject to the same criteria and evaluation. In addition to the difficulties of how to present and articulate the event as well as possible, people with disabilities also deal with difficulties of a technical nature. We know of many examples where individuals paint by holding the brush with their teeth or by tucking the brush into the bandages that are wrapped around their hands. The final result is as it should be. "Truly wonderful works are presented at this exhibition", said Feller, referring to individual works, stressing that they are works with "soul and message".

The exhibition "Encounter" includes works of art by eleven artists with disabilities. The works will be exhibited on the first floor of building B of the CUC until December 15.

Text: IKA.hr