PRESIDENT TUDJMAN VISITS "BIEDERMEIER IN CROATIA" EXHIBITION

ZAGREB, Aug 30 (Hina) - Croatian President Franjo Tudjman and his wife Ankica visited the Arts and Crafts Museum in Zagreb on Saturday, where they saw the exhibition "Biedermeier in Croatia". The show, which opened under the President's high patronage in April and closes on Sunday, featured 796 exhibits created between 1815 and 1848, displayed in 11 halls. Tudjman told reporters that the exhibition showed that in the first half of the 19th century Croatia was in every respect part of Europe. "The exhibition is in itself a confirmation that in terms of culture and civilisation we belonged to Europe," he said. Tudjman said that the Croatian people preserved the European civilisation and further developed what it had inherited from ancient Greek and Roman cultures. Tudjman said he was impressed that a large number of people had visited the show. He congratulated Museum curators and associates on the successful exhibition and a comprehensive monograph accompanying the show. The President was accompanied by Museum Director Vladimir Malekovic, Culture Minister Bozo Biskupic, Adviser on Cultural Affairs Zlatko Vitez, Zagreb Mayor Marina Matulovic-Dropulic and City Council Chairman Zlatko Canjuga. (hina) vm 301521 MET aug 97