Molat Summer Brings Four Exhibitions
In Jazi Bay on Molat until August 20, visitors can view displays dedicated to the suffering in World War II, the Homeland War, and photographs of the Zadar archipelago.
In Jazi Bay on Molat until August 20, visitors can view displays dedicated to the suffering in World War II, the Homeland War, and photographs of the Zadar archipelago.
The sixth edition of the Molat Museum and Exhibition Summer, organized by the Association of Prisoners from Dalmatia in Mussolini's Fascist Concentration Camps, has opened its doors to visitors. The program takes place in the museum space in Jazi Bay on the island of Molat, with exhibitions available daily from 6 to 9 PM until August 20, 2026.
Two displays once again bear witness to the suffering of the local population during World War II. These are the exhibitions "Mussolini's Fascist Concentration Camps of the Croatian Littoral" and "Mussolini's Fascist Concentration Camps of Northern Dalmatia." These displays currently serve as a substitute for the permanent museum collection of the future Croatian Museum of Prisoners in Mussolini's Fascist Camps.
The Association has been advocating for the establishment of this museum since the very beginning of its activities in 1992, with the first initiatives for the project dating back to 1978. The Association emphasizes that the ultimate goal is to permanently preserve the memory of Croatian prisoners, their suffering, and the physical and psychological consequences that followed them for the rest of their lives. They believe that such an institution would be unique and recognizable on the map of European museums.
This year's program places special emphasis on the Homeland War. On the occasion of Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day and the Day of Croatian Defenders, in partnership with the Association of Veterans of the Special Purpose Unit of the Zadar Police Department "Poskoci," the exhibition "Special Police Units Poskoci Zadar 1990-1995" has been set up.
The organizers remind that police units were the first organized line of defense for Croatia at the moment when the Yugoslav People's Army confiscated the weapons of the Territorial Defense. The display follows the wartime path of Zadar's special forces, who were engaged on all parts of the Zadar frontline, and pays tribute to the fallen members: Franko Lisica, Drago Žunić, Ante Baljak, Sveto Denona, and Marko Vulić. Additionally, the exhibition remembers the ten police officers who were wounded in operations.
Photography enthusiasts can also view an exhibition by members of the Foto Club Kornat, Zadar, which presents works by photographers of the Zadar archipelago. The selection was made back in May 2025 by Ante Jaša and Vladimir Alavanja, but the realization was postponed due to the sudden death of Ante Jaša, the founder and long-time president of the club.
Instead of a group exhibition, his retrospective opus was shown at that time, while this year's edition finally brings the originally envisioned selection. The photographers exhibiting their works are Zdravko Blagdan, Budimir Jaša, Vladimir Šimunić, Dino Stanin, Silvio Panović, Aldo Meštrović, Boris Lonić, Ante Šarunić, Branislav Mađerić, Ante Jaša, and Vladimir Bačić.
The Association is currently working on a new historical exhibition dedicated to the inhabitants of the island of Molat, and its completion has been announced for the near future. The public will be informed in a timely manner about the exact opening date. At the same time, it has been confirmed that the commemoration of the 83rd anniversary of the liberation of the Molat camp will be held on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
