Zagreb Salon: A Grand Tribute to the Kaleidoscope of Photography

by Doris Barić

Photography has once more showcased its lasting influence at the 41st Zagreb Salon. With over 7,500 submissions from 477 photographers hailing from 48 nations, this year’s edition has officially become the most extensive in the Salon’s 114-year legacy.

The Salon concluded with a remarkable inauguration event on December 17, hosted at the National and University Library in Zagreb, where attendees and guests convened to honor the 137 award-winning images chosen by a distinguished panel, comprising Zoran Kolarić, Davor Dolenčić, and Damir Rajle.

The prestigious FIAP Blue Badge for Best Author of the Salon was granted to Marcel Van Balken from the Netherlands, while the Hrvatski Fotosavez (HFS) Award for Best Croatian Author was awarded to Neda Rački.

A Worldwide Stage for Artistic Creation

Organized by Fotoklub Zagreb, one of the longest-standing photography associations globally, the Zagreb Salon has been a biennial event since its initiation in 1910, providing image-makers around the globe a venue to exhibit their artistry.

This year’s edition not only upheld the club’s pledge to quality but also expanded creative limits, as evidenced in the five unique competition categories: Open Color, Open Monochrome, Fog, Red and Black, and Bridge.

Each segment invited photographers to explore themes through their individual perspectives, resulting in creations that varied from the intensely personal to the broadly significant.

“Photography spans beyond language and culture,” expressed one entrant. “Through this art form, we link, convey, and share emotions that words alone cannot articulate.”

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A Collective Initiative

The achievement of the Salon underscores the cooperative essence of Fotoklub Zagreb. “Our dedicated group of volunteers from the club contributed significantly to this year’s Salon being a success. We are also grateful for the enduring backing of our collaborators— the International Federation of Photographic Art (FIAP), the International Association of Art Photographers (IAAP), the Hrvatski Fotosavez (HFS), the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia, and the city of Zagreb,” stated Hrvoje Mahović, president of Fotoklub Zagreb.

Beyond a Competition

The Zagreb Salon represents more than merely a competition; it embodies a tribute to ingenuity, a platform for discussion, and a heritage of cultural preservation. It prompts us to take a moment to stop, observe, and value the significance of a fleeting instant immortalized in a photograph.

As photography develops further, events like the Zagreb Salon serve as a reminder of the enduring nature of this artistic expression. In a time characterized by an overflow of images on our devices, the Salon’s meticulously organized showcase provides a space for contemplation and motivation.

The exhibition takes place at the National and University Library in Zagreb, where guests can dive into these masterpieces until 10th January 2025. Don’t miss the exhibition to experience the creativity and feelings conveyed through these images firsthand or visit the online gallery on the Zagreb Salon’s website.