History
The Ex Tempore of Grožnjan-Grisignana is a painting competition created in 1994 by Unione Italiana and Università popolare di Trieste, on the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of the collaboration between those two institutions. The Ex Tempore is organized together with the local Italian Community and the Municipality of Grožnjan-Grisignana.
The event, which has an annual character, takes place in the last week of September, attracting artists and art lovers from all over the world, that flow into the splendid medieval village giving life to one of the most important cultural events of the Italian minority in Croatia and Slovenia.
As the well-known Trieste art critic Sergio Molesi writes, the Ex Tempore of Grožnjan-Grisignana sees among the winners artists of great prestige such as Paolo Cervi Kervischer from Trieste, Alfredo De Locatelli from Gorizia, Hari Ivancic from Buzet – Pinguente, Zdravko Milić from Labin – Albona, Claudio Ugussi from Buje – Buie and Igor Zenzerović from Pula – Pola, names that over time have become the very essence of this city of art.
Every year the Ex Tempore knows how to re-propose the magic of an art event, which is complemented by events, concerts and exhibitions involving many people: in addition to artists, even simple visitors literally invade the streets of this enchanting Istrian town, full of galleries, which are filled with paintings and artistic works, enriching it with a unique multi-ethnic cultural vivacity of its kind.
An international jury year after year chooses the best first three artists and other painters are also chosen to receive the prize entitled to the “City of Grožnjan-Grisignana”. In 2018, to promote and support the work of young artists (18-30 years) and in memory of the artist who contributed a lot to the development of the cultural identity of the Italian national community, it was included in the Regulations of the 25th edition of the Ex Tempore the “Daria Vlahov Horvat” prize which includes a personal exhibition at the “Fonticus” Gallery in Grožnjan-Grisignana.
In the same year, is introduced the artists award of participating artists who express their preference for a work of colleagues.
The Ex Tempore of Grožnjan-Grisignana is one of the most important moments at an intercultural level, as a moment of exchange and comparison between old and new generation artists who meet, confront and exchange art experiences that will become an integral part of their artistic-existential baggage.
The multicultural nature of this artistic event, that attracts painters and enthusiasts of different nationalities every year, renews what Giuseppe Rota, a historical figure of the Italian national communty, has defined “the culture of coexistence and mutual respect, which are the quintessence of civil life” .