ZAGREB, 13 Oct (Hina) - A monument to the first "influencer" in history - Josip Franjo Mikulec, known as Joža Putnik (Joža the Traveller), who collected as many as 30,000 autographs from the rich and famous during his lifetime - was unveiled in Oroslavje, a croatian town in Krapina-Zagorje County.
Josip Franjo Mikulec, born in Krušljevo Selo near Stubičke Toplice, went to the United States of America in 1878, when he was 27 years old. Travelling around the country, he recorded events in a leather-bound notebook and collected autographs when meeting numerous dignitaries and famous people, including Woodrow Wilson and Theodore Roosevelt.
In the end his book had over 2,500 pages and weighed about 26 kilogrammes. He initially carried it in his arms and on his shoulder during his travels, and later he carried it in a specially made wooden cart.
Due to its historical importance, the book was purchased by the Croatian History Museum at the end of 2023.
The author of the monument to this globetrotter, erected in Oroslavje's Vranyczany Park, is the academic sculptor Adna Bakija.
Italian Ambassador Paolo Trichilo said that Mikulec was a forerunner of the sustainability-oriented world, since he decided to travel on foot and opted for vegetarian food.
Oroslavje Mayor Viktor Šimunić announced that he would do everything to bring Mikulec's books back to Croatia and to open a museum in Oroslavje.
County Prefect Željko Kolar, who arrived as an envoy of the Croatian president, believes that what Mikulec did is really impressive. He is also for returning the books, which Mikulec created all his life, from the USA to Croatia.
The ceremony was also attended by Zagreb Mayor Tomislav Tomašević.
"Joža Putnik managed to collect the signatures of six US presidents and a large number of world scientists. He was a social network before social networks, he was an influencer before influencers," Tomašević said.
A replica of Josip's book was also presented at the ceremony.
The unveiling of the monument aroused great interest, so several MPs arrived in Oroslavje, including Marija Selak Raspudić, Rada Borić, Marijana Puljak and Dario Zurovec.
