PERMANENT EXHIBITION OF 'MIMARA' MUSEUM OPENED

( Editorial: --> 8037 ) ZAGREB, 12 Dec (Hina) - The permanent exhibition of 'Mimara' Museum was opened in Zagreb Friday night on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Museum. The exhibition includes a collection of artefacts from the ancient world, a collection of European sculptures and applied art from the Middle Ages and the new world. The exhibition was opened by Culture Minister Bozo Biskupic. The opening ceremony was attended by Mrs Wiltrud Topic-Mersmann, wife of late Croatian patriot and donor, Ante Topic Mimara. Present at the opening were some 500 guests, cultural workers, museum workers, representatives of foreign embassies in Croatia etc. Culture Minister Biskupic stressed the importance of the opening of the Museum's restored permanent exhibition. Biskupic recalled Ante Topic-Mimara, a great collector, painter and restorer, whose exceptionally noble gesture - the presentation of his art collection to the Croat people - bore witness to his indisputable patriotism. By presenting 3750 artefacts, made of the most diverse materials and with the most diverse techniques from European and non-European countries between prehistory and the 20th century, Ante Topic Mimara enriched the cultural heritage of Croatia, said Biskupic. The exhibited artefacts represented a collection of the highest art quality, he added. (hina) rm 122241 MET dec 97