However, the true value of our town lies in it's inhabitants, a people open and friendly towards foreigners, a people who speak at least one foreign language and for whom communication with the world is a major part of their everyday work.
Rijeka is a town of seamen, enhancing it's ties with the entire world. The museums of Rijeka shelter a rich collection of weaponry from the Far East, numerous articles of applicable and artistic value from all parts of the world. Our Modern Gallery is the organiser of the well-known international exhibition Bienale of the Mediterannean Youth, an exhibition which has, together with the Drawing Bienale, carried the names of Rijeka and Croatia throughout the world.
The roots of the University of Rijeka go as far back as the Jesuit College of 1627. Having 8 faculties and about 11 500 students, the University is responsible for giving the town of Rijeka it's feature of thriving youth and life.
Our town on the Rjecina River is the home of as much as 11 minority communities, which together with the Croatian people enrichen and refine the cultural and social life of our town. These are the communities of Albanians, Bosnians, Montenegrins, Czechs, Hungarians, Macedonians, Romes, Slovacs, Slovenians, Serbs and Italians who cultivate the cultural heritage of their homelands through art, music and dance.