The biggest Zagreb Salon in history: A celebration of photography’s diversity

by Doris Barić

(Photo: Jure Kravanja – Iceland bridge (FIAP Gold Medal)

Photography has once again demonstrated its enduring power at the 41st Zagreb Salon. With over 7,500 entries from 477 photographers representing 48 countries, this year’s edition has officially become the largest in the Salon’s 114-year history.

The Salon culminated in a memorable opening ceremony on December 17, held at the National and University Library in Zagreb, where participants and guests gathered to celebrate the 137 award-winning photographs selected by an esteemed jury, composed of Zoran Kolarić, Davor Dolenčić, and Damir Rajle.

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

(Photo: Marcel Van Balken – Housemaid, Fotoklub Zagreb, Silver-Medal)

(Photo: Neda Rački – Indifference, IAAP Silver Medal)

A Global Platform for Artistic Expression

Organized by Fotoklub Zagreb, one of the oldest photography clubs in the world, the Zagreb Salon has been a biennial tradition since its inception in 1910, offering photographers worldwide a platform to showcase their talent.

This year’s edition not only maintained the club’s commitment to excellence but also pushed creative boundaries, as reflected in the five distinct competition sections: Open Color, Open Monochrome, Fog, Red and Black, and Bridge.

Each section invited photographers to interpret themes through their unique lenses, resulting in works that ranged from the deeply personal to the universally profound.

“Photography transcends language and culture,” said one participant. “Through this medium, we connect, communicate, and share experiences that words cannot convey.”

(Photo: Vanja Zakanji – Always with you, Zagreb Salon Gold Medal)

A Community Effort

The Salon’s success is a testament to the collaborative spirit of the Fotoklub Zagreb. “Our organizational team of volunteers from the club played an invaluable role in making this year’s Salon a triumph. We also acknowledge the long-standing support of our partners— 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,” said Hrvoje Mahović, the president of Fotoklub Zagreb.

(Photo: Jurica Galić – Back to the past (Fotoklub Zagreb Bronze Medal)

More Than a Competition

The Zagreb Salon is more than just a contest; it is a celebration of creativity, a forum for dialogue, and a legacy of cultural preservation. It challenges us to pause, observe, and appreciate the power of a single moment captured in time.

As photography continues to evolve, events like the Zagreb Salon remind us why this art form endures. In an era where countless images flood our screens, the Salon’s carefully curated exhibition offers a moment of reflection and inspiration.

(Photo: Željko Novaković)

The exhibition is hosted at the National and University Library in Zagreb, where visitors can immerse themselves in these works until 10th January 2025. Be sure to visit the exhibition to experience the artistry and emotion of these photographs firsthand or explore the online gallery on the Zagreb Salon’s website.

(Photo: Damir Zurub .- Underwater Forest (Zagreb Salon Silver Medal)

(Photo. Anitha Mysore – anitha – Adding color (Zagreb Salon Silver Medal)

(Photo: Vyacheslav Sarkisyan – Female students (FIAP Gold Medal)

(Photo: Miran Krapez – Duel (IAAP ribbon)