The association’s most important cultural programme is the Mediterranean Sculpture Symposium, an artist residency for sculptors, painters and\/or architects founded in 1969. The first symposium was held in 1970 as part of the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Labin Republic.<\/p>\n
So far 45 symposia have been held, with more than 100 artists from Croatia and around the world, who have created 74 sculptures in the park, 16 sections of the White Road and 18 sculptures located outside the park. The 46th symposium is in preparation.<\/p>\n
Artists are invited to take part by the association’s Expert Council, which proposes the participants for each year on the basis of research into the artists’ recent achievements and work. The costs of the artists and of production are fully covered during their stay in Dubrova Sculpture Park. The symposium is marked by a high level of interaction between the artists and the public, who can watch them at work, and by the involvement of the whole community in running the symposium, which makes the community an inseparable part of this residency. The works of art, the sculptures, are made of Istrian stone or of stone combined with natural materials, and are permanently installed in Dubrova Sculpture Park. Some sculptures have been donated to other local communities across Croatia to promote the durability of Istrian stone and of creative work.<\/p>\n
“Fifty years ago, the first stone was raised on an idyllic meadow dotted with groves that stretches behind the Frankovi\u0107 estate at Dubrova near Labin. Yes, half a century ago (it sounds rather grand), in 1969 to be exact, with good intentions and pure hearts, the Labin artists sculptor Josip Dimini\u0107 and painter Quintino Bassani, the Zagreb sculptor Milena Lah and the Rijeka art historian Branko Fu\u010di\u0107 sat down at the table. The idea was born, and to carry it out, the small group was joined by Josip Faraguna, then president of the Municipality of Labin and president of the ‘Labin Republic’ chapter, which was the main driving force and logistical support of the symposium. They then decided to enrich this beautiful site, which covers about 40 hectares of land (the park today covers 33 hectares, ed.), with contemporary stone sculptures and turn it into a sculpture park.” \u2013 Mladen Lu\u010di\u0107, Mediterranean Sculpture Symposium: 50 Years of Tradition<\/p>\n