Kesizupci - exhibition catalogue

More than seven decades ago, by decision of the Executive Board of the Regional People's Committee, the creation of a museum institution in Bjelovar began, then called the Regional Museum. Since 1954, when it received its current name, the Bjelovar City Museum has operated as a regional general museum, dedicated to the systematic collection, preservation, and presentation of the most valuable cultural heritage of the city and its surroundings.

Forty years ago, for the last time, as part of the celebration of the 30th anniversary of ORK Partizan, a commemorative exhibition was held in the premises of the Bjelovar City Museum, reminding citizens of Bjelovar of the club's most significant achievements.

Today's exhibition tells the story of the glorious past of the club, which began its journey on March 19, 1955, as the handball section of DTO Partizan. The development of handball in Europe and Croatia, the beginnings and rise of ORK Partizan, and key sporting successes are presented through thematic units – from entering the Federal League in Skopje in 1957, through the first appearance in the European Cup final in 1962 in Paris, then winning the European Cup of National Champions title in 1972 in Dortmund, to appearances and winning trophies at the Yugoslav Cup in 1960, at the International Handball TV Tournament of Champions in Doboj in the late 1960s and in the second half of the 1970s, and the Yugoslavia Trophy held in Bjelovar in 1977.

A special space is dedicated to Partizan's national team players, where each player is presented with photographs and prominent successes achieved in the jersey of the Yugoslav national team and in ORK Partizan. The final part of the exhibition is dedicated to the rich collection of Hrvoje Horvat and valuable handball posters from the holdings of the Bjelovar City Museum.

The exhibition "Kesizupci" is the result of close cooperation with the Bjelovar Handball Club, Hrvoje Horvat, former ORK Partizan players, and their families. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all those who selflessly shared their materials, memories, and mementos. This exhibition is a reminder of the times when Bjelovar handball was at the top of European sports, but also an encouragement to future generations to continue building that story.