To celebrate International Museum Day, held annually on May 18, the exhibition “Nikola Tesla – Man of the Future” has been inaugurated at the Local History Museum in Pljevlja. This exhibition offers a unique perspective on the life, work, and contributions of one of history’s most significant scientists, made possible through collaboration with the Nikola Tesla Museum in Belgrade.

At the opening, Democratic Party MP Nikola Rovčanin remarked that few individuals in history are honored by everyone across the globe, transcending nations and generations.

“I take pride in belonging to the nation that gave birth to the remarkable Nikola Tesla. He was not merely a scientist but a dreamer, a visionary. His ideas extended to the belief that his inventions were intended to benefit all of humanity rather than a select few,” Rovčanin stated.

He further emphasized that alongside his scientific achievements, Tesla’s greatest contributions lie in his universal moral principles and beliefs.

“He viewed science and creativity as true wealth, disregarding financial reward. He only spoke of money in the context of fear, concerned that without it, his inventions and patents would cease. Today, he compels us to honor science and creativity, to respect diversity, and to uphold the dignity of those who dare to think differently,” noted Rovčanin.

Dejana Drobnjak, director of the Local History Museum in Pljevlja, mentioned that this exhibition aligns with this year’s International Museum Day theme: Future in Rapidly Changing Communities.

She highlighted that the partnership between the Local History Museum and the Nikola Tesla Museum in Belgrade dates back over 20 years, beginning with the showcase of several of Tesla’s creations at the Pljevlja museum.

“It was the most attended exhibition the museum has ever held. Now, 20 years later, we have successfully curated a contemporary and rich exhibition that offers our visitors an engaging and educational experience,” Drobnjak stated.

She expressed her gratitude by presenting a letter of appreciation and a modest gift to Ivona Jeftić, director of the Nikola Tesla Museum in Belgrade, for her commitment to the exhibition’s realization.

Welcoming the attendees, Jeftić shared that the Nikola Tesla Museum is Serbia’s most-visited museum, consistently breaking attendance records.

She noted that last year alone saw over 170,000 visitors.

“The Nikola Tesla Museum is dedicated to preserving his legacy, brought back from the USA by his nephew Sava Kosanović after his death. We are also engaged in various projects and collaborations with cultural institutions and museums worldwide, and we host exhibitions across the globe. Past exhibitions have taken place in Argentina, Japan, China, various cities in Spain, Italy, Malta, and more,” Jeftić elaborated.

Additionally, she pointed out Tesla’s roots in an Orthodox priestly family.

“He took great pride in identifying as a Serb throughout his life. Though he spent much time abroad, he never lost sight of his origins. He was a sincere, kind, and diligent individual who dedicated his efforts to aiding humanity. The world benefits immensely from his good deeds,” Jeftić remarked.

Dario Vraneš, President of the Municipality of Pljevlja, referred to Nikola Tesla as the greatest Serb since Saint Sava.

“We are a people who brought forth Nikola Tesla and other great figures. We must avoid the past mistakes we made as a society and honor our brilliant scientists and innovators,” Vraneš asserted.

Following the opening, exhibition curator Vladimir Perić guided visitors through the exhibition details, underlining the importance of preserving Tesla’s legacy in both scientific and cultural-educational contexts.

Visitors had the chance to engage with rich multimedia content, documents, and visual displays, interactively exploring Tesla’s inventions and recalling his significant contributions to humanity.

In celebration of International Museum Day on Saturday, May 17, admission to the museum will be free. The Pljevlja Homeland Museum will be open to visitors from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The exhibition will remain accessible to visitors until June 13, 2025.

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