Gorana Barišić Bačelic, the director of the Fortress of Culture Šibenik, has been named Woman of the Year by the magazine Zaposlena.
The Woman of the Year award, powered by Institut Esthederm, is bestowed upon accomplished women who have made a significant impact through their work and dedication throughout the year. The winner was announced last night at the Esplanade Zagreb Hotel. Unfortunately, due to a fire that took place yesterday in the Šibenik area, the director of the Fortress of Culture was unable to travel and personally accept the award.
The event took place at the Esplanade Zagreb Hotel, attracting a large number of well-known figures from the social scene. This year's selection was held under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Croatia.
In addition to Gorana Barišić Bačelić, the nominees for Woman of the Year included journalist Dora Kršul, assistant director at Magdalena Clinic for Cardiovascular Diseases, Nina Šesto, and physicist Ivančica Bogdanovic-Radović. These women represent diverse professional interests, and each excels in her respective field.
"It's an honor to stand alongside these strong, successful, and inspiring women. I believe that each of us embodies the spirit of resilience, determination, and excellence, deserving of this recognition. People are everything, which is why I dedicate this award to my team, two-thirds of whom are intelligent, capable, and energetic women whom I'm particularly proud of. From the very beginning, our shared vision of revitalizing the cultural heritage of Šibenik has propelled us forward. Culture is what inspires, enriches, and stimulates our thinking, and I'm delighted to contribute to this process. One of my greatest personal satisfactions is witnessing the parallel development of the institution I lead and the city of Šibenik," expressed Gorana Barišić Bačelić.
Since 2014, Barišić Bačelić has been part of a team dedicated to revitalizing the Fortress of St. Michael, complete with a newly constructed summer stage. She assumed the role of director of the museum department, which was established to oversee the Fortress as its renovation was nearing completion, preparing for its inaugural season. Following the opening of the Fortress of St. Michael, Barišić Bačelić and her team have undertaken eight additional projects, both in collaboration with the city and independently, all contributing to the narrative of the Fortress of Culture as a platform for the development of cultural and creative industries. Consequently, Šibenik has become a model of successful integration between tourism and cultural heritage.
