School Newspaper Exhibition

The School Newspaper Exhibition of the 35th Lidrano presents the best student journalistic work from the City of Zagreb and once again confirms the importance of school newspapers as spaces for free expression, research, and critical thinking.

The exhibition of school newspapers from Zagreb primary and secondary schools — Lidrano 2026 — has opened at the Croatian School Museum in the museum gallery “Školica za 5” at Hebrangova 5 in Zagreb.

During the program, led by students of A. G. Matoš Primary School in Zagreb, the Museum’s Director Anita Zlomislić welcomed the attendees, emphasizing that events like this are one of the fundamental reasons for the existence of the School Museum. She pointed out that although the number of school newspapers is decreasing, the need to nurture speech, critical thinking, and analytical skills among young people has never been greater. She expressed hope that younger generations, with the support of their mentors, will passionately and dedicatedly build their journalistic path — and that journalism will continue to begin in school classrooms, developing as a space for truth and reasoned voices.

Marijan Šimeg, editor of Školske novine and a participant in Lidrano since its establishment in 1992, congratulated the students and mentors on their creativity, perseverance, and commitment to journalistic expression. He emphasized that just as the School Museum preserves time, school newspapers preserve school life — memories, thoughts, and the voices of generations.

On behalf of the Mayor of the City of Zagreb, Mirna Lončarević, Senior Advisor for Digitalization, Adult Education, and Projects from the City Office for Education, Sports, and Youth, addressed the audience. She congratulated the students and mentors and expressed her satisfaction in participating in this valuable event, after which she officially opened the 35th Lidrano School Newspaper Exhibition.

The opening was also attended by Antonio Jurčev, Principal of A. G. Matoš Primary School, and Zlatko Stić, Principal of Vladimir Prelog Secondary School of Science, who, together with the City Office for Education, Sports, and Youth, are the organizers of the event.

Among others, students of Jure Kaštelan Primary School are participating in the exhibition with their newspaper “Čarobna frula” (“Magic Flute”), as well as students of A. G. Matoš Primary School, who edit the magazine “GUSTAV”. Their work confirms that school journalism groups remain a breeding ground for new ideas and first published texts. Mentor Sanja Miloloža emphasized the importance of encouraging students to write independently, without relying on artificial intelligence, as such an approach develops responsibility, research skills, and critical thinking.

This year, 16 printed school newspapers (7 from primary and 9 from secondary schools) and 6 digital school newspapers participated in Lidrano’s journalism category. The Croatian School Museum, in its Collection of Student and School Newspapers, preserves approximately 4,000 newspapers from primary and secondary schools. The exhibition remains open until 27 February 2026 at the “Školica za 5” gallery, Hebrangova 5, Zagreb.