Željko Gašparović Gašo, a Novska native, is not only a photographer but someone who has looked directly into the face of war, felt its pain, and captured its truth. With a camera in one hand and a rifle in the other, he preserved the moments of Croatia’s struggle for independence on camera, saving them from being forgotten. Today, his photographs are among the most recognised images from the period of creation of independent Croatia.

He joined the defence of Croatia as a volunteer in 1991. As he explains, he carried his camera because he felt that history was being written before his eyes- that significant events were unfolding which future generations would need to understand. His photographs go beyond simple reportage; many have a strong artistic quality. Several were used at the time for promotional purposes in Croatia and abroad, helping raise awareness of the suffering caused by the war that stuck Croatia. Most of his images place the viewer “at the centre of events”, which reflects his own position during the war. He kept no distance: “War photographs cannot be taken from cover,” he says. His lens documented the destruction of Novska, as well as scenes from many battlefields across Croatia.

The support and respect shown to him by fellow soldiers and all those who value his photographic work were evident at the promotion of the monograph “125.”, which drew a large audience. The 220-page book, containing more than 200 photographs, was symbolically presented on the anniversary of the founding of the 125th Home Guard Regiment of Novska, whose wartime path the monograph records. Among those present were the regiment’s commander, Milan Čorak, and chief of staff, Ivan Doležal.

“By speaking about one unit from the Homeland War, we are speaking about the thousands of emotions carried by the people who gave a part of themselves to what we inherit today- and Gašo embedded his emotion into every pixel of every photograph presented in this 125.,” said Marin Piletić, Minister of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy.

“The 125th Home Guard Regiment took part in all major operations in this area and beyond. It endured the horrors and challenges of war and is a source of pride for both Novska and Croatia. It defended not only this region but also Zagreb. Books like this preserve the culture of remembrance and serve as an exceptional historical source to all of us. Many photographs from the Homeland War exist thanks to the bravery of photographers and journalists who risked their own lives to preserve these moments for the future. Željko Gašparović is one of them, and I thank him for presenting these days of pride,” said Dr Ante Nazor, Director of the Croatian Memorial-Documentation Centre of the Homeland War, emphasising the immeasurable value of the monograph presented today.

Željko Klaus, a member of the 125th Regiment, thanked Gašparović on behalf of all veterans for his personal courage and for creating a monograph that stands as a witness of its time. “To fight with a camera, to ask to be where bullets are flying, to capture moments of both joy and death is certainly a huge thing,” he added.

“Gašo is an outstanding photographer. I know what he went through, and I deeply appreciate his effort. Framing beautiful shots in terrible circumstances, while gunfire surrounds you- that is a great talent. He stopped time and recorded what must not be forgotten,” said Zoran Filipović, war photographer, writer and publicist.

Gašparović, the author, explained the making of the monograph and thanked everyone involved. “It is difficult to choose which photographs to include. If we had included them all, the book would have been much larger- it deserves to be. Historians enriched the book with their texts. Time passes, memories fade. Photographs remain,” he said.

The “Grabovljanski tamburaši”, whose music once strengthened defenders of Stari Grabovac, the crucial village in the defence of Croatia, enhanced the event with a performance of the “Grabovac Anthem”, sung for the first time since the Homeland War.

The photo-monograph “125.” remains a lasting testimony to the courage, sacrifice, and pride of the Croatian defenders of Novska and the surrounding area. A copy can be obtained at the “Ante Jagar” City Library in Novska.