Franković Opens Exhibition on Operation Storm
The Homeland War Museum in Dubrovnik has opened the exhibition 'Operation Storm in Banovina 1995' by Željko Gašparović, with a rich program announced for Victory Day.
The Homeland War Museum in Dubrovnik has opened the exhibition 'Operation Storm in Banovina 1995' by Željko Gašparović, with a rich program announced for Victory Day.
Marking the 31st anniversary of the military-police operation "Storm," a new thematic display has been opened at the Homeland War Museum in Dubrovnik, located at the Imperial Fortress. Mayor Mato Franković officially presented the exhibition "Operation Storm in Banovina 1995" on Monday, August 3, 2026, authored by museum director Varina Jurica Turk.
The exhibition is part of the museum's long-standing project "Croatian War Photography" and features a selection of works by war photographer Željko Gašparović. His photographs were taken in the Banovina region during Operation Storm itself. In addition to the photographs, Gašparović also donated video footage shot in 1992 on the Southern Front, documenting the activities of the 1st Guards Brigade "Tigers."
During the opening, Mayor Franković highlighted the exceptional importance of the Homeland War Museum in Dubrovnik in preserving an authentic historical narrative. "In our city, we have a perfect story-one that, with few words but plenty of evidence, photographs, and texts, tells the true story of the Homeland War and how hard-won our freedom was. Knowing that a million people have seen the truth, we know they will be the messengers of truth tomorrow and for future generations," Franković said, as reported by Dubrovnik Insider.
Director Varina Jurica Turk emphasized that documentary war photography is the core of visual memory and one of the most valuable historical sources. She noted that photographers who witness wartime events permanently capture the image of their time through their lenses, and she ranked Gašparović's work among the very best of Croatian war photography.
Mišo Đuraš, honorary president of the Croatian Officers' Association of the Dubrovnik-Neretva County, also addressed the attendees. He stressed that the museum has grown into an inexhaustible resource for researching the Homeland War and a key point for preserving national heritage. He reminded that this is already the fifth exhibition dedicated to Operation Storm, and the museum has so far organized a total of 75 exhibitions and welcomed one million visitors. Đuraš also expressed satisfaction with the fruitful cooperation with veterans' associations, hoping it will continue through future projects.
As part of the event, visitors to the Imperial Fortress can also view both the physical and virtual versions of the exhibition "Storm 1995-2025." The aim is to provide a more complete experience of the entire operation, including events on the Dubrovnik front during the final liberation actions of the Croatian Army in 1995.
The commemorative program will culminate on Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day and the Day of Croatian Defenders, on Wednesday, August 5, 2026. On Stradun, near the Church of St. Blaise at Luža, during the Patriotic Concert by the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra starting at 9 PM, the museum's virtual exhibition titled "The Road to Freedom 1991-1995" will be projected.
