Intangible cultural heritage as a guardian of Serbian identity

The project “Intangible cultural heritage as a guardian of Serbian identity” was realized in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Serbia and the Office for cooperation with diaspora and Serbs in the region.

Twenty-seven very detailed texts were written, each deals with a single element from the list. The point that was emphasized the most in these texts is preservation and protection of intangible cultural heritage, even when you leave your home country.

Keeping the “live cultural” heritage alive, regardless of where you live, creates a sense of identity, continuity and uniqueness that make a nation. Emphasizing the cohesive and mobilizing connections that preserve, transfer and maintain Serbian tradition as a part of intangible cultural heritage, strengthens the bond between the home country and the diaspora.

The importance of old time crafts, old customs that are still being followed and events that keep history, tradition and culture alive was ratified on June 18 2012. when the list of intangible cultural heritage of Serbia was adopted. The list contains twenty-seven elements, but more will be inscribed in the future.

List of elements of intangible cultural heritage of the Republic of Serbia: Slava, Prayer – St. George’s Day ritual, Belmuz (Traditional shepherd dish made of unripened cheese), ritual of making and lighting farmer candles, making of Pirot hard cheese, rug-making in Pirot, craft of filigree work, craft of stonemasonry, Pazar meat pie prepared in traditional way, Zlakusa pottery, Kosovo-style embroidery, singing accompanied by gusle, Groktalica singing, clamor singing, Era-style humor, kolo dance, three-steps kolo, six-steps kolo, Rumenka kolo dance, bagpipe playing, pipe-playing practice, kaval playing, Slovak naive art painting, Lazarica processions from Sirinićka Župa, wooden flask making in Pilica village, Vuk’s Convocation, ojkača singing, city songs from Vranje, Easter Ritual of Guarding Jesus Christ’s Tomb.

People need to be familiar with the work, effort and dedication of the individuals who are trying to preserve the intangible cultural heritage, but also with the obstacles they meet along the way. This is an important step in protecting the authentic cultural heritage. Only by understanding, promoting and transferring the knowledge from one generation to another can the intangible cultural heritage survive in the future.