The title of the exhibition, "5 g. / 5.5 ML/R", refers to five years of reconstruction following the 22 March 2020 earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale which hit Zagreb and its surroundings
The exhibition includes 58 photographs taken by Hina's photojournalists and they are divided into three sections – the consequences of the Zagreb and Petrinja earthquakes, which hit northern and central Croatia in 2020, as well as the reconstruction of Hina's building which is a protected cultural monument.
The photographs depict the extent of the damage caused by the earthquakes on 22 March and 29 December 2020, as well as the restoration process of the building housing Hina's main offices, offering a valuable insight into the devastating effects of the natural disaster, as well as the efforts in restoring historical heritage.
The photo exhibition testifies to the importance of the media in crises and serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by the residents of the affected areas, including Zagreb, Sisak-Moslavina, Karlovac, and Zagreb Counties.
Importance of systematic restoration of cultural heritage
Alongside the visual testimony of the devastation, the exhibition highlights the importance of the systematic restoration of cultural heritage.
Hina was one of the first public institutions in Zagreb to begin post-earthquake retrofitting in April 2022, and by the end of that year, the main restoration works on the façade of the Heinzel House were completed.
This listed building, designed by architect and former Zagreb mayor Vjekoslav Heinzel, is protected by double conservation safeguards. It is located within the "A" zone of the historical urban area of Zagreb and is part of the protected urban-architectural unit of the "Green Horseshoe."
The structural retrofitting of Hina's building was completed in June 2023, after which a comprehensive restoration began, including energy remediation and interior design.
Total value of works estimated at around €7m
The total value of the works is estimated at around €7 million, with the project being carried out under the patronage of the Ministry of Culture and Media and financed by the European Union Solidarity Fund and the National Recovery and Resilience Plan.
The exhibition will open at 11:10 AM Monday, and the opening will be attended by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Spatial Planning, Construction and State Property Branko Bačić, Minister of Culture and Media Nina Obuljen-Koržinek, and other distinguished guests.