Members of the Ensemble of Folk Dances and Songs (ANIP) “Veselin Masleša” have begun activities related to moving into an additional space, which will serve not only for the ensemble’s work but also for proper storage of their rich collection of traditional folk costumes.
This space was recently provided by the City Administration after the ensemble’s previous premises were flooded due to clogged sewage and drainage pipes. The director of the ensemble, Nemanja Knežević, told Glas Srpske that last month they began relocating the archives of ZIBL, whose former room has now been granted to them.
– The initial plan was to free the archive space in May, but that was postponed due to preparations for their relocation. We only recently began the process. Then came our international tours, from which we have just returned. The ensemble will rest until the end of the month, and from September we will begin with relocation activities – Knežević said.
According to his estimates, the final move will take more than two months.
– We have to move the archive during working hours, since the archivist must be present. At that pace, it will take us more than two months. Given that everything is being done by the ensemble members in agreement with me, we will be lucky if we complete it by the end of the year – said Knežević.
However, even after moving in, the work does not stop. Fundraising for adaptation and equipping of the space will follow.
– We face a lot of work, from electrical installations to ventilation and other tasks. All of this will require substantial funds, and we are forced to proceed slowly, in line with the donations collected, since it cannot be financed from the regular budget – Knežević explained.
Since the struggle for this space has lasted nearly five years, the “Masleša’s Friends Club” subscription platform, with a separate sub-account, is now waiting to be launched.
– In September we will start with the Masleša’s Friends Club, through which interested individuals will be able to become subscribers. There are three membership levels – 100, 300, and 500 KM annually for individuals and legal entities. We are counting on the help of our members who have their own companies. Each level of membership includes certain benefits, such as free tickets and programs for ANIP “Veselin Masleša” concerts – Knežević noted.
He added that they plan to organize themed fundraising every year, while this year and the next, all funds will go toward equipping the additional space.
– In the coming years this will always be focused exclusively on infrastructure projects and things that will remain behind us, such as equipment, footwear, costumes, and everything that was damaged in the flood that struck us in February – Knežević emphasized.
Although they managed to repair the flood damage, he warned that this is not a permanent solution since new rainfall, clogging, or waste could once again cause the same situation.
– The problem lies in the drainage network outside the building, which requires serious intervention. We only “put out the fire” – Knežević said.
Activities
Knežević pointed out that since the flood prevented them from starting the folklore season on time, they are now trying to make up for lost ground.
– We couldn’t realize everything we had planned, but we managed to catch up with a large part of it. Many obligations were moved to the fall, which is why our break is shorter than it should be. We have international tours and domestic activities ahead of us, but we cannot stop, we must go on – Knežević concluded.
Source: Glas Srpske
