ZAGREB, April 28 (Hina) - The Croatian Academy of Arts and Sciences (HAZU) convened for a ceremonious session in Zagreb on Friday to honour the Academy Day. On that occasion, HAZU awards for 1999 were presented to renown Croat
scientists and artists.
ZAGREB, April 28 (Hina) - The Croatian Academy of Arts and Sciences
(HAZU) convened for a ceremonious session in Zagreb on Friday to
honour the Academy Day.
On that occasion, HAZU awards for 1999 were presented to renown
Croat scientists and artists.#L#
Alongside the traditional presentation of Academy awards, this
highest Croatian scientific and cultural institution had all the
more reason to celebrate its 139th birthday as reconstruction of
the Academy Palace were drawn to completion - the works took a full
three years.
Since 29 April 1861, when the Croatian Sabor unanimously adopted a
proposal by Djakovo Bishop Josip Juraj Strossmayer to establish an
academy of arts and sciences, numerous scientists and artists have
exerted their grandiose energy into the foundations of that
institution. Its final name - the Croatian Academy of Arts and
Sciences was realised upon a proposal forwarded to the Croatian
Sabor in 1991 which that same year adopted a new Law on HAZU which
confirmed the institution's continuity and its all encompassing
activities, HAZU President Ivo Padovan recalled.
As always when Croatian national interests were brought into
question, during the war in 1992, HAZU headed by the honourable
academician, Ivan Supek, initiated the "Croatia" project. The aim
of the project was to portray Croatia as it was and as it is during
this historical turning point, Padovan added. The first report
within the project was a book entitled "Croatia - Loyalties and
Directions" which was published in 1992.
The president of HAZU evaluated that today Croatia is once again
facing a significant period. This is the reason behind a document
entitled "Croatia on the Verge of the Third Millennium". Padovan
said that the HAZU presidency at its last session adopted the
document which will be published after the Academy's classes offer
their possible comments.
The document reminds of the HAZU's stances released in 1992 on the
role of science and technology, the moral situation in Croatia,
directions towards Europe, the demographic situation in economic
development and lays down the basis for further development in
these areas.
(hina) sp jn