“Titanic” se vratio u Rijeku, s novim spoznajama, pričama i predmetima

A new exhibition titled “Titanic, Carpathia” has opened in Rijeka, offering fresh insights into the lesser-known connections between the Titanic disaster and Croatian history. The exhibit, organized by the Maritime and Historical Museum of the Croatian Coast in Rijeka, features stories, objects, and artifacts related to both the ill-fated ship and its rescuers aboard the Carpathia. It marks the return of this historical narrative to Rijeka after 14 years since its initial display at the Governor’s Palace in 2012, which commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Titanic’s sinking. The exhibition will remain open until August 31 and focuses on the overlooked contributions of Croatian passengers and crew members of the Titanic, as well as those who served on the Carpathia, the ship that rescued survivors in the early hours of April 15, 1912. While the story of the Titanic has long transcended traditional historical boundaries and become part of global pop culture, the Rijeka exhibition highlights the local ties to one of the most infamous maritime tragedies in history. Among the exhibits are accounts of Croatian immigrants heading toward America, members of the Carpathia’s crew, and links between Rijeka and the broader saga of the Titanic. The connection between the Titanic and Rijeka was emphasized during the opening ceremony, where Ivan Šarar, representing the V.B.Z. Heart of the Bookstore, praised the collaboration with the museum. He noted that such exhibitions demonstrate how museum collections can thrive beyond their traditional settings, especially during periods of renovation. Šarar remarked that while the Titanic story became globally iconic due to the film, it continues to inspire historians and maritime enthusiasts to revisit and reinterpret it through new lenses. He highlighted the relevance of bringing these narratives back to the public, particularly as new generations engage with historical memory. Tamara Mataija, director of the Maritime and Historical Museum, underscored the significance of the current period of restoration and renewal in creating opportunities for innovative ways to present museum materials. She described the exhibition as an excellent chance to share the museum’s collection through different formats, emphasizing the unique story of Rijeka’s link to the Titanic. Mataija pointed out that while many know the general tale of the Titanic, the exhibition offers a more specific perspective, showing how the city and its residents were connected to the tragedy in meaningful ways. The exhibition’s author, Nikša Mendeš, explained that this version of the exhibit is presented in a slightly reduced format compared to previous displays, but it includes newly acquired items and discoveries made over the past 14 years. Mendeš expressed hope that the exhibition would remind visitors of the events that took place over a century ago, specifically in 1912 on the Atlantic Ocean. Plans include a special presentation later in the summer, during which a historically significant life jacket from the Titanic, currently held in the museum’s archives, will be displayed publicly for the first time. Among the new items on display are medals belonging to Jakov Kranjč, a member of the Carpathia’s crew, replicas of third-class cups from the Titanic, and an enlarged photograph of Hungarian doctor Árpád Lengyel, who treated survivors aboard the Carpathia. Central to the exhibition is the story of Josip Car, a young Rijeka bartender who served on the Carpathia. After the rescue operation, numerous life jackets were discarded on the deck of the Carpathia, and Car brought one of them back to Rijeka. According to the text displayed at the exhibition, Car boarded the Carpathia in early March 1912 and remained on board for nearly the entire year. Upon returning to Rijeka, he donated an framed image and a collage of newspaper reports about the Titanic’s sinking and the rescue efforts to the Franciscan Monastery in Trsat. During World War II, Car moved to Argentina, where he eventually passed away. His wife, Marija Lovrić, donated the life jacket to the Sušak City Museum in the 1930s. These personal connections illustrate the deeper, often overlooked, ties between the Titanic disaster and the people of Rijeka.