{"id":2466,"date":"2020-11-01T13:56:58","date_gmt":"2020-11-01T13:56:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgallery.hazu.hr\/izlozba\/svecanost-otvorenja-1884\/?page_id=2466"},"modified":"2021-05-20T17:23:11","modified_gmt":"2021-05-20T15:23:11","slug":"strossmayerov-dolazak-u-zagreb-na-svecanost-otvorenja-en","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sgallery.hazu.hr\/izlozba\/svecanost-otvorenja-1884\/en\/strossmayerov-dolazak-u-zagreb-na-svecanost-otvorenja-en\/","title":{"rendered":"Strossmayer\u2019s arrival in Zagreb for the grand opening ceremony"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Over one year had passed between the arrival of Strossmayer\u2019s collection to Zagreb and its opening to the public. Because of the scaffolding construction, placement of paintings, painting of the palace walls, as well as the Bishop\u2019s frequent delays and reluctance to even attend the grand opening \u2013 due to political unrest and his eventual falling out with Kr\u0161njavi \u2013 the intended opening date of the gallery had changed multiple times in that period. When in October of 1884 he finally reached an agreement with Ra\u010dki on the ceremony protocol and confirmed his arrival, Zagreb\u2019s city representatives, along with local societies, decided to organize a grand reception for the Bishop with accompanying events. This postponed the grand opening until the beginning of November, which luckily coincided with the anniversary of the Great Earthquake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[\u2026]<\/span> a boiling pot of volcanic stew was being prepared for us on the morning of the 9th<\/sup>, when it shook our mountains and cities, destroyed our houses, tore down our chimneys and roofs, and planted a horrible seed of fear into our bodies and souls. Who does not remember that day when the entire populace of the capital lost its consciousness in indescribable agitation, bemusedly roaming the streets and squares, or fleeing in thousands on foot and by carriage, when a spot on the train could not be found. Few where those who heroically stayed, lest for some nervousness, in the unfortunate city, and did not sink in their spirits, but comforted and encouraged already frightened ghosts.<\/em><\/em>
It has been four years since that day of reckoning. And today a recovered Zagreb prepares for tomorrow in glorious joy for a grand occasion; foreigners are coming to bear witness and participate in the celebration with which the capital receives the generous son of its people. Even if this claim of integrity will prove repulsive to those who have turned their backs on the city, it must be said that all tiers of the capital\u2019s populace have worked hard to prepare a grand day for the arrival of a man who has sacrificed his whole life\u2019s work for the most notable of our cultural institutions. The Ninth of November 1880 was a day of misfortune not only for Zagreb, but the whole nation. Let the Ninth of November 1884 be a glorious day of wonderful memories, a day of the people\u2019s gratitude to their patron, may the Lord protect him for years to come.<\/em> [\u2026]<\/span>(from: \u201cThe day of 8th November 1880\u201d, Pozor<\/em>, 8th November 1884)<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
A group of city representatives suggesting to the mayor that he call for a meeting on the inclusion of the City in the preparations for the grand opening (\u201cThe grand opening of the picture gallery\u201d, Pozor<\/em>, 18th October 1884)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
The City Council\u2019s committee verifies the two-day celebration taking place on 8th and 9th November, accepting responsibility for the organization of all accompanying events. The Academy is responsible for the immediate ceremony in the palace, for which it is sending out invitations. (\u201cThe grand opening of the picture gallery\u201d, Pozor<\/em>, 22nd October 1884)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
An invitation from the Academy to the Kolo Society, 21st October 1884 (property of: The State Archives in Zagreb)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Esteemed sir!<\/em>
As I have previously telegrammed you, the opening of the Gallery has been postponed for the 8th<\/sup> and 9th<\/sup> of November. This is according to the wishes of the City Council\u2019s committee, which has been chosen to organize the festivities. As you will see in the program which will be published in the newspapers, the city is preparing a glorious reception for you. This is of necessity, so that the people will learn to give credit where credit is due. Therefore, you cannot refuse the sacrifice of organizing a trip to Zagreb by train from Osijek. The train arrives to Zagreb at around 10 o\u2019clock in the morning. The mayor, along with representatives of the city and societies, etc. will be waiting for you at the railway station. It seems to me that it would be most convenient if you were to stay overnight in Z\u00e1k\u00e1nj or in Koprivnica at Beruta, in which case it would be opportune to telegram him. On the night of the 8th<\/sup>, the city will be lit, and the citizens waiting for you with torchlight. On the 9th<\/sup> at 10 o\u2019clock, there will be a house blessing, at which the societies will organize a choir, composed after Zajc. This will be followed by a grand session with yourself and myself included. That night will see a concert and dinner. Baron Vranyczany is organizing a ducal suite for you. He also intends to entertain while you are staying with him, at noon and in the evening.<\/em> The celebration will be endowed with a national and cultural character, so that all who are friends of our education can participate, regardless of their political affiliation. May your conduct also be a reflection of this aim. Compromised persons will not be allowed to approach, but cannot be banned from attending in an official capacity, such as Von\u010dina, etc. <\/em>[…]<\/span><\/em>(Ra\u010dki to Strossmayer, 26th October 1884, from: The Ra\u010dki-Strossmayer<\/em> correspondence<\/em>, letter no. 851)<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
\u201eThe Academy\u2019s palace\u201c, Pozor<\/em>, 28th October 1884<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a>
The Academy\u2019s declaration on the ceremony protocol for 9th November. Academy members and guests will follow the event in the atrium, while the public can observe from the first and second floor galleries. Members of the public can only enter with a valid ticket, which can be obtained at the Academy\u2019s clerk office. The local public is asked to give way to guests arriving from other parts of the country on their first visit to the Gallery. (\u201cFor your consideration!\u201d, Pozor<\/em>, 4th November 1884)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Deliberations of the committee for the grand opening of the gallery of pictures have gotten to the point where a declaration will soon be published for the Zagreb public, which will invite the public to participate in the festivities, but also inform them of the celebration program.<\/em>(from: \u201cTowards the opening of the picture gallery\u201d, The Official Gazette<\/em>, 3rd November 1884)<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n