Hrvatski
Exhibition: "Play, Learning, Creativity, Experience – 30 Years of Museum Pedagogy at the 'Staro Selo' Kumrovec Museum"
On Friday, September 11, 2026, the exhibition *Play, Learning, Creativity, Experience – 30 Years of Museum Pedagogy at the "Staro Selo" Kumrovec Museum*, curated by museum advisor Tatjana Brlek, was opened.
The exhibition showcases the continuous development of museum-educational programs, workshops, thematic guided tours, field research, as well as exhibition and publishing activities. The curator highlighted the long-standing collaboration with craftspeople—experts in traditional knowledge and skills—who, since 1997, have demonstrated their crafts to visitors of all ages and participated in numerous events organized by the "Staro Selo" Kumrovec Museum. Collaboration with the local community—including the Josip Broz Elementary School in Kumrovec, the "Jaglac" Kindergarten, the "Naša djeca" (Our Children) Society of Kumrovec, the "Zipka" ethno-association, and various other organizations—along with support from the Municipality of Kumrovec and Krapina-Zagorje County, has been instrumental in the realization of numerous educational programs, the transfer of traditional knowledge and skills, and the preservation of heritage.
In addition to Anita Paun-Gadža, the head of the "Staro Selo" Kumrovec Museum, the attendees were also addressed by Robert Šplajt, the Mayor of the Municipality of Kumrovec. Mirjana Smičić Slovenec, Head of the Administrative Department for Education, Culture, Sport, and Technical Culture of Krapina-Zagorje County, reflected on 30 years of development in museum pedagogy at the "Staro selo" (Old Village) Museum in Kumrovec. The exhibition was opened by Jurica Sabol, Director of the Museums of Hrvatsko Zagorje, who highlighted that the Museums of Hrvatsko Zagorje are pioneers in the field of museum pedagogy and education. "According to statistical data from the Museum Documentation Center, we have held the top position in working with children and young people for nearly six years. Our five organizational units attract approximately 70,000 children annually—truly significant figures," revealed Jurica Sabol, Director of the Museums of Hrvatsko Zagorje.
In addition to the exhibition opening, children from the Josip Broz Elementary School and the "Jaglac" Kindergarten in Kumrovec had the opportunity to participate in educational workshops, such as "Make Your Own Doll" and "Traditional Crafts Blocks." These were organized by the "Naša djeca" (Our Children) Society of Kumrovec in collaboration with museum educator Mateja Harapin. The "Kolovrat" ethno-association from Tuhelj provided rides on a wooden carousel, while Ivana Šuštić—an expert in the crafting and painting of traditional wooden children's toys—led a workshop on painting small wooden flutes and whistles (*frulice* and *žveglice*). Blacksmith Božidar Kopun demonstrated his craft in the original forge located in the central part of the museum.
The exhibition will be on display until November 1, 2026.