CROATIAN EXHIBITION CELEBRATING NEW MILLENNIUM TO BE HELD IN VATICAN

( Editorial: --> 4128 ) ZADAR, April 4 (Hina) - The Croatian Bishops Conference (HBK) and the Croatian Culture Ministry are planning to hold an exhibition in the Vatican during celebrations marking the start of Christianity's third millennium. The exhibition titled "Christianity Among the Croats - Faith, Culture and Art" is planned to officially open on October 15, 1999 in the Vatican's Sixtus V salon and last until January 15, 2000. It will feature original and highly valued artworks from Croatian history. "For us the exhibition 'Christianity Among the Croats - Faith, Culture and Art' is a great honour and joy. The Holy See has paid a great gesture of much care and love towards us, and the Holy Father is informed with this exhibition," said Zadar Archbishop Monsignor Ivan Prendja, who has been chosen by the HBK to head its exhibition organising committee. Monsignor Prendja said 80 works would be on display during the Vatican exhibition including paintings, sculptures and artistic crafts as well as many documents from Croatian Christian history. "For now we still cannot speak on all particulars, but it will be one of the largest cultural events in the life of our homeland," the Zadar Archbishop said. "Art and culture are the best ambassadors of a nation and state. Just holding the exhibition, when we are marking the passing into the new millennium, in the Vatican, the heart of world and church life, is an extraordinary event for our country. "People from across the world will have an opportunity to see our artworks, because the Sixtus salon has thousands of people passing through it every day." Monsignor Prendja said just the fact that the exhibition "Christianity Among the Croats - Faith, Culture and Art" would be opened in the Vatican was an exceptional event and that it would most likely be attended by all Croatian bishops and high ranking state officials. (Hina) jn mb /as 041457 MET apr 98