25th Educational Museum Action (EMA) – LOVE – Programme of Six Zagreb Museums
The Educational Museum Action (EMA), traditionally held each May to mark International Museum Day, could not be organized in its regular format in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic and the Zagreb earthquake. While some museums had already carried out their programmes, several Zagreb museums joined forces and organized EMA from 15 October to 15 November 2020, both in museums and online.
The joint initiative brought together the Croatian Natural History Museum, the Museum of Arts and Crafts, the Nikola Tesla Technical Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Dražen Petrović Memorial Centre, and the Ethnographic Museum. Due to earthquake damage, the Croatian Natural History Museum was closed to visitors and therefore held its programme at the Ethnographic Museum.
All programmes and workshops were free of charge. Due to epidemiological measures, the number of participants was limited and advance registration was required (contact information for registration was provided in the description of each museum’s programme).
This year’s theme was Love. Join us and discover love in Zagreb’s museums!
CROATIAN NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM
Programme title: Nature Lovers
Venue: Ethnographic Museum, Trg Mažuranića 14, Zagreb
Dates: 24 October 2020 at 11:00 a.m. and 12 November 2020 at 5:00 p.m.
Programme authors: Renata Brezinščak, Petra Šparica
For everyone who loves nature and natural history—and for those who will learn to love it through our programmes—we prepared a variety of activities. The first workshop, held on 24 October 2020, explored the kingdom of minerals. Participants learned about different types of minerals, discovered which minerals are most commonly given as symbols of love, and found out why human civilization would be unimaginable without them. Dinosaur enthusiasts were not forgotten either. Through an exciting interactive workshop featuring games and activities, participants discovered fascinating facts about dinosaurs. The workshop took place on 12 November 2020. Let your love of nature begin at the Croatian Natural History Museum workshops!
Registration: petra.sparica@hpm.hr
MUSEUM OF ARTS AND CRAFTS
Programme title: See Love Everywhere You Look
Venue: Online – Facebook and the Museum of Arts and Crafts website
Dates: 15 October – 15 November 2020
Programme authors: Iva Novak, Marta Kuliš Aralica, Vedrana Ceranja
Ljubotika, Ljubasansa, Ljubok—do you know what these words mean? These imaginative combinations of words are inspired by different artistic styles. We often learn about historical conquests and conquerors, but what about love throughout history? Join us on a virtual tour of the museum’s permanent exhibition and embark on an educational journey through love stories represented in various artistic periods. Discover love where others may not see it.
NIKOLA TESLA TECHNICAL MUSEUM
Programme title: The Collector
Venue: Nikola Tesla Technical Museum, Savska cesta 18, Zagreb
Date: 24 October 2020 at 10:00 a.m. (recording available on the museum’s YouTube channel from 25 October 2020)
Programme author: Markita Franulić
Collaborators: Katarina Ivanišin Kardum, Marijo Zrna, Goran Rajič
Although the reasons and motivations for collecting vary, for most collectors the primary value of their collections lies in emotional rather than material significance. Through the programme The Collector, visitors learned about technical heritage and the passion for preserving it through a conversation with collector Zlatko Ivković, focusing on his collection of telephones. His dedication and remarkable collecting career make him an outstanding example of a devoted collector.
MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART
Programme title: Forms of Love
Venue: Museum of Contemporary Art, Avenija Dubrovnik 17, Zagreb
Dates: 24 October 2020 at 11:30 a.m. and 14 November 2020 at 11:30 a.m.
Programme author: Ana Škegro
Love, in all its forms, has long been a source of artistic inspiration. Participants explored artworks inspired by romantic, parental, and friendly love, reflecting on the many forms of love found in everyday life—from self-love to love for others, objects, and nature. The workshops encouraged creative expression through the creation of personal artworks inspired by these themes.
DRAŽEN PETROVIĆ MEMORIAL CENTRE
Programme title: Longing for Dražen
Venue: Dražen Petrović Memorial Centre, Trg Dražen Petrović 3, Zagreb
Dates: 15 October – 15 November 2020
Programme authors: Mia Čujkević-Plečko, Luka Lucin, Marko Petrović, Ivana Marušić
Visitors were offered free guided tours, a knowledge quiz, and an educational lecture on basketball. Participants also received a booklet inspired by the theme of love, featuring acrostics based on poems once sent to Dražen Petrović by his admirers during the 1980s.
Registration: promo@drazenpetrovic.net
ETHNOGRAPHIC MUSEUM
Programme title: Love Is in the Museum
Venue: Ethnographic Museum, Trg Mažuranića 14, Zagreb
Dates: 31 October 2020 and 14 November 2020 at 11:00 a.m.
Programme authors: Željka Jelavić, Anastazija Petrović, Silvia Vrsalović
Discover love at the Ethnographic Museum! Today, people often express affection with flowers or chocolates, but in the past, love was shown through gifts such as red apples and traditional licitar hearts. Visitors explored different forms of love—from family affection and music to traditional skills and cultural heritage. Join us and fall in love with the Ethnographic Museum through creative workshops and engaging activities.
Registration: edukacija@emz.hr.