The American visual artist Andy Warhol is credited for having predicted that, "In the future, everyone will have their fifteen minutes of fame."  But he did not say you would enjoy it. For Ivan Zvonimir Cicak of Croatia, the moment must have been excruciating. 

Cicak, the president of the Croatian Helsinki Committee for Human Rights, found himself in a mortifying situation when his pants fell to his ankles during a photo opportunity with Croatia's first woman president Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic recently.   

Like Us on Facebook

The human rights advocate recovered from the tricky situation, quickly pulling his pants up in time to pose for the cameras, but apparently not quick enough to save his dignity. 

Photos of the unfortunate wardrobe mishap have spread on the internet.  Type "pants+fall+president" in your search bar and you are likely to find yourself looking at a number of links to articles and images pertaining to Cicak's moment of fame.  Time Magazine has devoted about 92 words to the incident.

The photos are a fascinating study of relative time.  They show Cicak in various stages of bewilderment, giving one the notion that the full implications of the accident had dawned on the poor fellow in painfully gradual increments.  There are one or two photos in which he almost looks like he is calmly meditating on the wayward item of clothing.   

The reality is, however, the entire incident was over in a couple of seconds, mercifully brushed aside by those present as if nothing had happened at all.

Kitarovic demonstrated the steely character, poise and presence of mind required to be a head of state.  She had graced the photo op to present an award to Cicak's organization ahead of Human Right's Day, which the world commemorated on December 10.   The Croatian president remained unfazed throughout, according to reports, and even has the mental agility to come to Cicak's aid by covering his exposure with the award that was at hand.

Cicak's organization is dedicated to helping victims of human rights violations and those whose rights are threatened.  Given its objectives, one could reasonably assume that the organization is built on a spirit of self-sacrifice, community and generosity. 

The curious spectator in us can only hope the man has enough of that spirit in him to forgive a world grown weary of bad news a small chuckle at his expense. 

Tagsbig pants, pants fall, Croatia, Kolinda Grabar Kitarovic, Human Rights, Human Rights Day