By Rudina Hoxha
The Croatian photographer, Zvonimir Atletić opened an exhibition on Mother Teresa last Wednesday in the premises of the Center for Openness and Dialogue in the Premier’s Office. Under the special auspices of the Croatian Ambassador to Albania, H.E. Sanja Bujas Juraga, the exhibition documents the extraordinary work of Mother Teresa and her absolute dedication to help the helpless and the abandoned.
Atletić met Mother Teresa as far back in 1977 when he first took photographs of her in her Mission in Calcutta. They met several times since then while escorting her during her travels in Croatia and India, documenting her work and life as well as the work of her Order, Missionaries of Charity in Croatia and India.
In some way, Atletić is a missionary of charity and love, a successor of Mother Teresa. ‘I have been going to Calcutta for many years. I was there even this year alongside with my family to see how Mother Teresa lived, the sisters there know him. I am also working on a book to show her legacy to the world. This is not a finish story. In a way, I have become a missionary of charity and love in a small way,’ Atletić said in an exclusive interview for Tirana Times.
How would you characterize this exhibition on Mother Teresa in Albania?
It was normal as from the beginning I knew she was Albanian. So, the first exhibition on her was done by me in Rome on Sept 4, 2016 when she was canonized and made a saint. Automatically after that, it is normal to come to Albania. This is why we pushed so hard and the Ambassador as well to come to Albania. I had an exhibition in Zagreb las month, a similar but smaller one, in the mission of charity in Zagreb on 26th of August. This date corresponded with her 106th. This was normal knowing that she was a honorary citizen of Zagreb. Then the exhibition toured in Rome and then in Albania. It was very crucial for me to tour this exhibition in Tirana because she was Albanian.
How much work did it take to make this exhibition?
Some 40 years. I started in 1977. Of course, I was with her for 20 years. When she was in Calcutta or she would come to Croatia, I would accompany her. But even after tha, I have been going to Calcutta for many years. I was there even this year alongside with my family to see how Mother Teresa lived, the sisters there know him. I am also working on a book to show her legacy to the world. This is not a finish story. In a way, I have become a missionary of charity and love in a small way.
Why the world does not have a second “Mother Teresa” ?
I don’t think it is possible. She was unique. Her words were unique, her energy was special and her belief in God was special. There is absolutely no doubt in her mind for the love she had for God. In all her tours, she was never looked after, she simply wanted to help people. She was there on her own. She never would say to the sisters ‘do this or that.’ She would do it always by herself. There is no such people nowadays.
What was so special about Mother Theresa that make the whole world go around her?
When I first met her in 1977, that was enough. She had some kind of energy and some kind of approach to people. It was not something above average, it was normal. So, somehow we started to talk and make some photographs to her. So, my inspiration was her, the way she was a regular person but a special person. She would not show in worthy aspects that she was special. She was special inside. So, I recognized that.
