MRS WILTRUD TOPIC-MERSMANN RECEIVES HIGH STATE MEDALS

( Editorial: --> 7642 ) ZAGREB, 11 Dec (Hina) - Croatian Culture Minister Bozo Biskupic on Thursday presented a medal of the Order of the Croatian Morning Star with the image of Marko Marulic to Wiltrud Topic-Mersmann, for her exceptional contribution to the development of culture. Mrs Topic-Mersmann also received a medal of the Order of Prince Branimir, which Croatian President Franjo Tudjman awarded to her late husband Ante Topic Mimara, one of the greatest Croatian donors. Minister Biskupic thanked Mrs Topic-Mersmann for all she and her husband had done for the Croatian people, especially for their donation of 1976, which was the basis for the establishment of Mimara Museum in Zagreb. Mimara Museum was opened in 1987. Mrs Topic-Mersmann thanked Biskupic for the care being taken of the museum collections, which contain some 3750 artefacts. Biskupic said that the latest permanent exhibition of the Museum would be opened tomorrow on the occasion of its 10th anniversary. Mrs Topic-Mersmann asked Biskupic to convey her gratitude to President Tudjman, expressing satisfaction with the fact that all sections of the museum would be opened from tomorrow. (hina) rm 111609 MET dec 97