PHOTOS: Mother Teresa monument unveiled in Osijek

Mother Teresa monument unveiled in Osijek (Photo: Grad Osijek)

A monument to Mother Teresa was officially unveiled on Monday on Drinska Street in Osijek, near the Home for the Elderly, following an initiative by the National Community of Albanians of Slavonia and Baranja.

The formal ceremony was attended by Osijek’s Deputy Mayor, Dragan Vulin, as well as MP and representative of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, Ermina Lekaj Prljaskaj, Deputy Prefect of Osijek-Baranja County, Josip Miletić, and the President of the National Community of Albanians of Slavonia and Baranja, Basri Haliti.

“Beyond the values embodied by Saint Mother Teresa, this monument is a symbol of the strong connection and deep friendship between the Croatian and Albanian people.

Our Albanian friends who have lived in Osijek for many years are an integral part of this city, and I must also highlight the contribution of Albanians in defending the sovereignty of the Republic of Croatia during the Homeland War, for which I am particularly grateful. I trust that Saint Mother Teresa will provide comfort and peace to all who seek it,” Vulin stated.

(Photo: Grad Osijek)

The Croatian Government’s Office for Human Rights and the Rights of National Minorities provided the necessary funding for the monument’s creation and installation, totalling 20,000 euros.

“This moment is not just a tribute to an extraordinary individual like Mother Teresa, but also an affirmation of the values we all share, which she exemplified—love for others, compassion, and selfless service to those in need.

This statue serves as a reminder of the boundless strength of kindness and generosity, offering us a model to strive towards as a society. Its installation also symbolises Croatia’s connection to the universal values of peace, love, and understanding that guided Mother Teresa throughout her life,” Lekaj Prljaskaj remarked.

(Photo: Grad Osijek)

Deputy Prefect Josip Miletić expressed his pleasure at the statue being placed in Osijek, congratulating the Albanian community on this and other successful projects.

“Saint Mother Teresa was a Catholic saint who selflessly cared for the most vulnerable in society, offering them love and comfort. Therefore, I congratulate the Albanian Community of Slavonia and Baranja for their initiative and perseverance in installing her statue here in Osijek. I am confident it will become a place of gathering and prayer for many believers,” Miletić said.

Basri Haliti, President of the National Community of Albanians of Slavonia and Baranja, highlighted that the monument to Mother Teresa is not only a tribute to one of the greatest humanitarians of the 20th century but also a reminder of the fundamental human values that unite us—love, solidarity, and care for one another.

(Photo: Grad Osijek)

“Mother Teresa dedicated her entire life to helping the most vulnerable, the poor, and the abandoned. Her mission was simple—to reach out and help anyone in need, regardless of their faith, background, or social status. Therefore, this statue should serve as a reminder of her message of love and peace,” Haliti concluded.

The project was carried out by the National Community of Albanians of Slavonia and Baranja, and the statue of Saint Mother Teresa was created by academic sculptor Ante Jurkić.