Đakovo, (IKA/TU) – Bishop Strossmayer and the Academy is the title of the symposium held on May 21 in the Main Archdiocesan and Faculty Library in Đakovo as part of the Ninth Strossmayer Days. This year, the symposium program was dedicated to the celebration of the 150th anniversary of Strossmayer’s founding of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts (CASA). The symposium was moderated by Darija Damjanović, M.S. The activity of the CASA through history was presented by its president, Zvonko Kusić, and the work and historical significance of Bishop Strossmayer was presented by Archbishop Marin Srakić of Đakovo-Osijek.
During the symposium, a valuable artistic cross was displayed, which Strossmayer had received as a gift from Pope Pius IX and before which Academy was opened on July 28, 1867.
In the historical presentation, Kusić said that the Academy, through strength of vision, originated in Đakovo and was an expression of the aspiration of the Croatian people for their own cultural and national identity. The University and Academy were the precursors of the creation of the cultural and political identity of the nation. Today’s Academy has the mission and task of protecting and fighting for the national interests and advancement of Croatia in all areas and times, with dignity and indisputably. “The present generation of academicians has the obligation to become involved in solving current social questions as their predecessors had done, who were visionaries of their time and contributed significantly to the solution of important national issues, in the first place the creation of the cultural identity and national identity. National interests have changed over time. The Academy was creating the history of Croatia. It had a symbolic value and was a type of substitute for statehood. Entry into the European Union will be a turning point and historical moment, which will not be the end of national history,” emphasized Kusić, explaining that it is an opportunity for the Academy to contribute to the building of modern Croatia through its participation.

“The desire for Croatia to enter into the circle of European nations and countries was represented courageously in the Croatian Parliament 150 years ago by Bishop Strossmayer in his famous speech of 1861,” said Archbishop Srakić. Strossmayer was an exceptional patron of the arts, speaker, businessman and politician, but above all a great bishop. His life motto was “All for the Faith and Homeland,” because he felt that his actions could not and should not be based only on the Church but that he had to be with his nation, to follow it and help it as much as possible. In the continuation of the presentation, Archbishop Srakić took the opportunity to reflect whether, in honor of the founder, a section for anthropology and theology should be established in the classifications or institutions of the CASA. “We believe that the Academy should not neglect the rich theological scholarship connected not only with priests and theology but also with excellent writers,” said Archbishop Srakić. “For decades, on the occasions of the commemoration of Strossmayer’s death or the Academy, this great bishop was only mentioned as an aside, passing over the values that he held and represented, for which he invested all his authority and considerable financial resources,” emphasized the Archbishop of Đakovo-Osijek. “Đakovo under today’s circumstances continues Strossmayer’s work,” noted Msgr. Srakić and said: “I would like this symposium and all the symposia that follow to help commemorate this great son of our nation, our Church and our Archdiocese in the proper light, and in his entirety.”
Following the presentation, Academician Stanislav Marijanović gave President Kusić a bibliographical edition of the proceedings “The Character and Work of Josip Juraj Strossmayer,” and President Kusić presented Archbishop Srakić with a replica of Strossmayer’s breviary. On behalf of the organizer, those assembled were addressed by the Chairman of the Commission for the Organization of Strossmayer Days, Ivica Mandić, and the Dean of the Catholic Faculty of Theology in Đakovo, Prof. Dr. Pero Aračić. The symposium was also attended by the Member of Parliament Dragutin Bodakoš, representatives of CASA from Zagreb and Osijek, Auxiliary Bishop Đuro Hranić of Đakovo-Osijek, the Dean of Science of the Catholic Faculty of Theology in Đakovo, Prof. Dr. Vladimir Dugalić and other professors of that institution, representatives of the Agency for Education and history professors from schools in five Slavonian counties. The musical program was performed by members of the ensemble of the Croatian National Theater in Osijek.
Prior to the beginning of the symposium, Msgr. Srakić received President Kusić at his residence and together they placed a wreath on Bishop Strossmayer’s grave in the crypt of the Đakovo cathedral. Strossmayer Days began on Friday, May 20, in the Museum of Đakovo and Đakovština with the opening of the exhibition “Strossmayer and His Contemporaries in the Visual Arts.”