The exhibition ”Man and Nature. Hrvatsko Zagorje in the Early Modern Period” was opened in the Museum ”Old village” Kumrovec”

On the occasion of European Heritage Days, the exhibition Man and Nature. Hrvatsko Zagorje in the Early Modern Period of Museum of Peasants' Revolts, authored by Lidija Kelemen, was opened in the Museum "Old village" Kumrovec on Friday, October 11, 2024.

The exhibition shows the transformation of the relationship between nature and man from the 16th to the 19th centuries in the historical area of ​​Hrvatsko Zagorje through several thematic units. Using various pictorial and written materials, the influence of natural disasters (earthquakes, floods, fires, famines, epidemics) and climate changes on the daily life of Zagorje peasants is presented. The year 1880 was specially presented, when people from Zagorje, after great floods, were badly damaged by the Zagreb earthquake.

In addition to various economic branches (agriculture, viticulture, animal husbandry, fishing, forestry, industry), the exhibition also presented measures by which man tried to control natural disasters. According to Lalangue's instructions from the 18th century, the cultivation of potatoes is depicted, and the tools used by the peasants are also presented. A multimedia model shows the changes in the development of the relationship between settlements and the environment in the area of Stubica, while the changes in their relationship in the rest of Zagorje are evidenced by various pictorial sources (maps, views, graphics, postcards).

The influence of folk beliefs on the daily life of modern man is represented by calendars and theological works that testify to miracles through the intercession of the Mother of God. A replica of the Hrašćina meteorite, whose fall in 1751 caused stormy reactions from the local population who thought it was the arrival of Judgment Day, is specially exhibited. With various examples that interpret the relationship between man and nature, the exhibition encourages visitors to develop awareness of the value of preserving natural heritage, but also the influence of nature on the daily life of man.

The exhibition was presented by the author, curator of the Museum of Peasants' Revolts, Lidija Kelemen, and opened by the director of the Museums of Hrvatsko zagorje, Jurica Sabol. Those present at the opening were addressed by Anita Paun-Gadža, head of the Museum "Old village" Kumrovec and Hrvoje Petrić, Ph.D., who said that this is the first exhibition in Croatia that presents the relationship between man and the environment in a certain region.

Maja Miklaužić Vahtarić performed in the appropriate music program accompanied by Vid Kotarski on guitar.

The exhibition can be viewed in the Museum "Old village" Kumrovec until December 8, 2024.