Invitation to participate in the 17th Zagorje Souvenir Triennial

The Museums of Hrvatsko Zagorje invite all interested parties to participate with their works in the 17th Zagorje Souvenir Triennial, which will be held from July 4 to August 30, 2026 at the Museum "Old Village" Kumrovec due to renovation works and the new permanent exhibition of the Museum of Peasants' Revolts.

The Zagorje Souvenir Triennial has been organized at the Museum of Peasants' Revolts since 1978 and is the first project in Croatia to promote the production of artistic and traditional souvenirs in a professional manner.

We invite participants to design a souvenir as a comprehensively designed object that connects the authenticity and tradition of the Hrvatsko Zagorje with an innovative interpretation of heritage elements. The themes of the 17th Zagorje Souvenir Triennial are souvenirs inspired by the new permanent exhibition of the Museum of Peasants' Revolts and the Antun Augustinčić Gallery. The Museum of Peasants' Revolts is preparing a new permanent exhibition, which is planned to open in early 2027. Souvenirs can be inspired by various subthemes from the new permanent exhibition: the life of peasants and nobles during the Peasants' Revolt, the archaeological heritage of the Stubica region related to the Samci and Stari grad forts in Donja Stubica, the Oršić family who built the castle, and viticulture and winemaking in the Hrvatsko Zagorje region. Augustinčić's Monument to the Peasants' Revolt and Matija Gubec, the Oršić castle, or motifs from the paintings in the palace chapel of St. Francis Xavier can serve as inspiration. Authors can depict people, places, events, or legends related to the Revolt or another proposed subtheme in a traditional, artistic, or contemporary way. The Antun Augustinčić Gallery preserves the sculptural oeuvre of one of our most significant sculptors. We invite authors to design souvenirs inspired by the representative works of Antun Augustinčić that are kept in the Gallery (Peace, Tito, Petrica Kerempuh, Marin Držić, Icarus, Krleža, Matija Gubec) and the visual identity/logo of the AAG.

There are numerous possibilities for inspiration for a unique souvenir based on the given themes, and the choice of technique and materials is up to the souvenir authors. The most successful works will be awarded cash prizes and recognitions. After the exhibition, part of the souvenirs will be purchased for sale in the souvenir shops of the Museum of Peasants' Revolts and the Antun Augustinčić Gallery. All exhibitors will leave one item for the holdings of the Zagorje Souvenir Collection of the Museum of Peasants' Revolts.

All interested participants can submit their works by mail or in person to the administrative building next to the Museum of Peasants' Revolts (Samci 64, Gornja Stubica) until May 29, 2026. Additional information can be obtained from the Museum of Peasants' Revolts by calling the following numbers: 049 587 882, 049 587 889 or by sending an inquiry to the e-mail address lidija.kelemen@mhz.hr.

All submitted works will be reviewed by an expert committee and selected to be exhibited and presented in the catalogue. The same committee will also award prizes to the most successful works.

The cash prizes are:

1st prize: €500.00

2nd prize: €400.00

3rd prize: €300.00

Due to the works at the Museum of Peasants' Revolts, the opening of the exhibition of the 17th Triennial of Zagorje Souvenirs, with a special program and the announcement of the awarded souvenirs, will be held on July 4, 2026 at the Museum "Old Village" Kumrovec.