The exhibition, which will be staged on the Institute's premises in Zagreb's Preradovićeva Street and last until 18 March, features photographs of numerous cultural events organised with Croatian partners from 1982 to 1992, when Kalogjera was the Institute's official photographer.
In that period, the French Institute organised a wide variety of events that enriched Zagreb's cultural scene, from music, theatre and dance to literature, debates, exhibitions and performances.
French Institute has promoted Croatian culture since its establishment
The French Institute of Croatia was founded on 21 February 1921 at the Zagreb Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences to promote the French language, literature and culture.
The French foreign ministry at the time launched a new service with a mission to promote France's cultural influence abroad.
By the end of the 1930s about 3,000 students were already learning French at the institute, using its wealthy library.
Today the French Institute is present in many segments of Croatia's cultural and artistic scene. It supports Croatian festivals and other cultural events, presenting the best of contemporary French creativity, organising exhibitions and supporting exchange programmes.
Cooperation and solidarity key to centenary
The French Institute notes that the dynamic of the two countries' relations was key to its establishment and that events marking the anniversary will focus on that, underlining that cultural relationship and dialogue, which the institute has encouraged, followed and structured.
The events marking the institute's 100th anniversary, to be held across the country, are "Rendez-vous in Francophonia", to be held in March, "Unexpected Rendez-vous", focusing on art and heritage, to be held in May and June, "Rendez-vous in the cinema", to be held in September and October, and "Digital rendez-vous", focusing on art and culture in the new media.
They are all part of the 4th "Rendez-vous", the main annual event organised by the French Institute.
The events will also be part of the Rijeka - European Capital of Culture 2020 project, to last until April 2021 and the "BD 2020, year of French comics", which has been extended until the end of June.