Marking the 35th anniversary of the formation of military units in the Republic of Croatia, the exhibition Where We Were in '91 was officially opened at the House of Veterans. The event took place on the eve of the celebrations for Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day and Croatian Defenders Day, honouring the participants of the war.
The exhibition is an interactive project that offers visitors an authentic portrayal of events from 1991. It is based on testimonies from participants, documentary photography, and archival material that reconstructs the historical context of that period.
Visitors are able to view various uniforms of the Croatian Army, as well as different weapons such as mines, hand grenades, rifles, and helmets. In addition to military equipment, the exhibition features photographs of soldiers and books dedicated to the war and to those who gave their lives for the country. One particular item on display is a shoulder-fired rocket launcher.
Following the Croatian and Istrian anthems, the audience was addressed by Ivan Glušac, head of the administrative department, and the mayor of Pula, Peđa Grbin. Mayor Grbin stated that he was impressed by what he saw at the exhibition, specifically highlighting the significance of the rocket launcher.
According to Grbin, the item illustrates the challenges faced by defenders 35 years ago. He explained that it is a makeshift rocket launcher, crafted in situations where standard equipment was unavailable, demonstrating the creativity and resilience of the defenders.
Alongside the opening of the exhibition in Pula, wreaths were laid at the monument on Trg Hrvatskih Rodoljuba (Plaza of the Croatian Patriots) in Ogulin on Tuesday, 4 August, in observance of Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day and the 31st anniversary of the Operation Storm. Candles were also lit there in a sign of lasting remembrance and gratitude.
