By preserving and nurturing traditional crafts, the humanitarian women’s association “Duga” has been connecting generations for decades, passing on knowledge and skills while promoting humanity, creativity and social interaction through numerous activities.
Slobodanka Ristić Gašić, president of the “Duga” association, told Glas Srpske that the certificate confirming their involvement in traditional crafts represents recognition of the value of everything they do.
“It means a great deal to us that our local community and craftspeople have recognized everything we have been working on and remained committed to. They have acknowledged the importance of what we have been doing for 34 years,” she said.
She emphasized that passing knowledge, skills and experience on to younger generations is crucial for preserving tradition.
“Through our work, we do not pass on knowledge alone, but also a spiritual connection, culture and everything that shapes a person’s identity. Only one part of traditional skills is visible and material, while most of it is actually intangible. If we do not continue preserving old crafts and traditions, we could very quickly lose that essence,” Ristić Gašić said.
New collection
She noted that they are preparing a new fashion collection titled “Art and Tradition,” which will be presented at a fashion show on August 22.
“The collection is the original work of young designer Aleksandra Radišić, who is taking her first steps in the professional world. We wanted to support her because the association also works to encourage young artists,” she said.
In addition to the fashion show, a photo exhibition will be organized for the first time this year, featuring 32 designs as well as Banja Luka’s parks.
“Our city is known as a green beauty, so we named the exhibition ‘A Green Frame for Blue Embroidery.’ It will be presented at the Milanović House. We tried to create a connection between contemporary Banja Luka and designs decorated in a traditional manner,” Ristić Gašić said.
For the sixth consecutive year, the association is running its Small School of Zmijanje Embroidery, currently attended by 27 participants.
“During the summer holidays, we try to provide primary school children with interesting and useful activities. We teach them Zmijanje embroidery techniques, but also humanity, empathy, history and tradition. We organize visits to the Museum of Republika Srpska, the National and University Library and the Banski Dvor Cultural Center,” she explained.
She added that after the workshop, the children will present their work at a traditional crafts fair.
“Their works will be offered for sale, and all the money we raise will be donated to an association supporting children with specific needs or illnesses,” Ristić Gašić said.
Values for young people
According to her, the association strives to pass on experience and moral values to young people that should serve as a foundation for their future growth and development.
“Every generation faces new and different challenges, but I believe that certain fundamental values should remain the same for everyone. We have wonderful children who simply need to be given an opportunity. Many people complain that young people today cannot concentrate or sit still, but we have no such problem. We have 27 children in the classroom and they are all so dedicated to their work that you could hear a fly buzzing,” she said.
Special attention is also devoted to pensioners and older women through the “Joy of Life 65+” project, in which participants spend their free time socializing and learning new skills through embroidery, crochet, knitting and weaving workshops.
Applications are open until the end of August, while the workshops will be held in the welcoming atmosphere of the “Duga” ethno house.
“This also gives them an opportunity to attend theater performances and exhibition openings together, and we organize literary evenings as well. Doctors come to give lectures, so we have a very active program, but also wonderful gatherings,” Ristić Gašić said.
According to her, these activities are also connected with December, which “Duga” considers a month of humanity. The association will then organize a sale of works created by workshop participants, with the proceeds donated to a humanitarian organization.
Meeting of two Krajinas
Slobodanka Ristić Gašić said that the “Meeting of Two Krajinas” event will be held at the Museum of Republika Srpska on September 11 and 12.
“The ‘Izvor’ Association for the Preservation of Tradition from Knjaževac will be our guest, so we will bring together two Krajinas, Timok Krajina and Bosnian Krajina. The women from Knjaževac will present towels decorated with traditional Timok embroidery, as well as double-knit socks that have been proposed for inscription on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Fashion shows will also be organized, with our guests presenting clothing decorated with Timok embroidery, while we will showcase Zmijanje embroidery,” Ristić Gašić explained.
Source: Glas Srpske
