Vienna may be the birthplace of psychoanalysis, but when you’re looking for true relationship closure, buy your ticket to Zagreb. Many people throughout the centuries have found creative outlets for their emotions. The painter van Gogh knew how to share his pain, but it wasn’t until 2010 that two Croatian artists opened their Museum of Broken Relationships as a permanent shrine to their own breakup. Since the founding of the museum, the collection has traveled to Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Germany, Macedonia, the Philippines, Serbia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

There’s a catharsis in ritual, ask Hallmark cards. We have rituals for weddings, funerals, engagements, graduations, so why did it take so long to pay homage to the broken heart?
At last a club almost all of us can join. Why keep your memories locked away in the back of a closet when you can share your love souvenirs with the world.

The gallery spaces are separated into categories so the pink fur handcuffs have their rightful place away from the Hummel figurines.

In the words of Roland Barthes in A Lover’s Discourse: “Every passion, ultimately, has its spectator… (there is) no amorous oblation without a final theater.”

Consider donating your memories to the MOBH.

At last I have found a place for that set of giant coca cola bottle cap coasters.

The traveling exhibits next stop is London at the The Tristan Bates Theatre.