Addressing the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković spoke of what his government had done so far for the Roma community, announcing further support. He said that a major international conference was being prepared for 8 April, which would focus on the status of the Roma in Croatia, Europe and globally.
Stressing the importance of education for society as a whole and for the future of Croatia, Plenković said that education was also essential for the full inclusion of the Roma in Croatian society.
In 2020, the Ministry of Science adopted a curriculum for the study of the language and culture of the Roma minority in primary and secondary schools, and Plenković said that this would certainly contribute to fostering the identity, language and culture of the Roma.
The Roma educational and cultural centre cost slightly over HRK 4 million (€533,000), and the prime minister described it as the pinnacle of their cooperation.
Culture and Media Minister Nina Obuljen Koržinek said that the opening of this centre showed that "culture is a bridge that connects us as citizens regardless of our backgrounds and creates values on which we build our society."
Veljko Kajtazi, who represents the Roma minority in the Croatian Parliament, said that this centre would help create new opportunities through different forms of education primarily for the Roma community, but also for everyone who wants to learn about Roma culture.
He thanked the government for supporting not just the Roma community but all minorities in the country, adding that its contribution to the integration of the Roma community into Croatian society was immeasurable.
This year's Museum Night is taking place online and, where possible, in museums, with strict observance of COVID-19 rules.
Vlasta Krklec, president of the Croatian Museum Association, said that 210 museums, galleries and heritage organisations are participating in the Museum Night with 450 different events across the country.
All participating venues are open until midnight and admission to all events is free.