The idea came from Bulgarian Ambassador Tanya Dimitrova and Belgian Ambassador Philippe Benoit who had invited other ambassadors to record memorable scenes in Croatia, such as beauties of the nature and towns across the country, from Vukovar to Dubrovnik. A seven-member jury selected 45 photographs among 150 that were submitted and those were put on display at the exhibition.
Croatia cannot leave you indifferent. Wherever I went, I could not stop taking photographs, and there were also moments when I was left breathless, Dimitrova said. Wherever our professional and life paths may take us, we will take with us these wonderful memories and we will forever be good-will ambassadors for Croatia. That's a mission I will never renounce, she added.
Benoit said he saw the exhibition as a tribute to the difficult times Croatia had gone through before its international recognition. We wanted this to be a happy event that celebrates the beauty and diversity of this country, presenting all its regions, he said.
The awards went to Polish Ambassador Maciej Grzegorz Szymanski for his photograph of the roofs of Rovinj, Belgian Ambassador Benoit for "the silent waters" of the Nin Lagoon, and Spanish Ambassador Eduardo Aznar for a photograph showing Dubrovnik's old port.
Dimitrova received an award from the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Finnish Ambassador Timo Rajakangas received an award from the Ministry of Culture, the head of the World Health Organisation Office, Antoinette Kaic Rak, received an award from the City of Zagreb, and Benoit received an award from the Croatian Tourism Board.
The exhibition is open until March 23.