Tradition and Modernity in Education – The Timeless Encounter

On 23 and 24 April 2026, the Faculty of Educational Sciences of the Juraj Dobrila University of Pula hosted the International Scientific Conference 22 nd Mate Demarin Days on the topic Tradition and Modernity in Education – The Timeless Encounter, which brought together numerous scientists, teachers, and experts from Croatia and abroad. During the two-day programme, 82 presentations were given, which once again confirmed the importance of this conference as a relevant place of encounter, dialogue, and exchange of contemporary pedagogical knowledge.
The programme was further enriched by lectures delivered by plenary speakers associate professor dr. Tamara Jurkić Sviben, full professor dr. Igor Radeka, Dragana Sapanjoš, contemporary artist, associate professor dr. Zvjezdana Penava Brekalo and full professor dr. Daria Tot, whose presentations opened up space for reflection on the relationship between tradition and modernity and encouraged discussions on current challenges and directions for the development of educational practice. The conference is organized by the Faculty of Educational Sciences, and co-organised by the Faculty of Teacher Education of the University of Zagreb – Department in Petrinja, the Faculty of Education of the University of Maribor (Slovenia), the Faculty of Education in Užice (Serbia), and the Education and Teacher Training Agency, thus further emphasizing international and inter-institutional cooperation. The exceptionally rich and diverse programme took place in a stimulating and dynamic academic environment, with a strong focus on contemporary challenges and future perspectives for the development of education.