People far from their homeland, yet deeply connected to their roots, have successfully passed down their love for their native traditions to their descendants while even managing to engage reserved Swiss locals with the customs of Manjača, Banja Luka, and the Krajina region.
This is how members of the Humanitarian Association of Women “Duga” described the mission of Banja Luka residents living in Lucerne, Switzerland, where an event showcasing the Zmijanje embroidery was held.
“This event was not just an opportunity to display the beauty of Zmijanje embroidery but also to show people worldwide the importance of preserving cultural heritage and love for one’s homeland,” said representatives of “Duga.”
Slobodanka Ristić Gašić, the president of the association, told Glas Srpske that both Swiss attendees and the local diaspora were amazed by the handicrafts.
“The event was enriched by performances from actors of the City Theatre ‘Jazavac,’ the National Theatre of Republika Srpska, Hilda Hrekes of the ethno group ‘Trag,’ and Radovan Ivanović, the European accordion champion. We also presented the play Around the World on a Scooter, introducing visitors to our culture through acting and traditional folk music,” said Ristić Gašić.
She mentioned that many visitors purchased handicrafts adorned with Zmijanje embroidery motifs.
“The Swiss were very interested. One man who didn’t speak a word of Serbian or English bought two pairs of socks decorated with Zmijanje embroidery. Our compatriots helped us communicate with him and explain what the embroidery represents. He listened with great enthusiasm and shared that he had already visited Banja Luka and planned to return. He said that when he does, he will see our city in a completely new light,” Ristić Gašić recounted.
Zmijanje embroidery was included on UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage a decade ago as the first intangible asset from Bosnia and Herzegovina to receive this recognition. This unique embroidery technique practiced by women on the Zmijanje plateau near Banja Luka has since been celebrated as a global treasure.
“Duga, alongside the Homeland Association ‘Zmijanje,’ the KUD ‘Veselin Masleša,’ and relevant institutions, played a key role in achieving this dream. On November 26, 2014, this unique embroidery earned its rightful place on the world stage,” noted representatives of “Duga.”
Since then, raising awareness about Zmijanje embroidery through promotions, education, and workshops has become a priority for the association.
“For the past four years, we’ve organized a Little School of Zmijanje Embroidery for children, while older residents have also had the chance to uncover the secrets of this craft,” the humanitarian group shared.
Last year, the members of “Duga” managed to embroider the longest traditional towel in the world, adorned with Zmijanje motifs, setting a Guinness World Record.
“The towel was 31 meters long, created by 43 embroiderers, including 12 children from the Little School of Zmijanje Embroidery. It featured 155 motifs and was completed in less than eight hours. The record was set in three categories: the longest traditional towel in the world, the largest number of embroiderers working on a single towel, and the fastest embroidered towel—finished in seven hours and 47 minutes,” highlighted members of “Duga.”
Source: Glas Srpske
