In Tršić, a small village near Loznica, once had lived the most important man in the history of Serbian literature of the 19th century. Today at this place, in his honor, one of the biggest manifestations in Serbia is being held for 81 years in a row – Vukov sabor.
The story about Vukov sabor started in the 1933. when a large number of people had gathered around the re-built monumental house of the biggest reformer of Serbian language – Vuk Stefanović Karadžić. Since then, every Sunday in September, just before Nativity of Virgin Mary (Mala Gospojina), residents of Tršić, nearby places but also people from all around Serbia, are coming to the well-known place in the vicinity of Loznica to commemorate the father of the contemporary Serbian language.
The first “sabors” were different than today’s ones in many things. They were organized by the residents and were held in the backyard of the Vuk’s house. This area with time, had become tight for all those people who wanted to participate in the rich cultural, artistic and entertainment program. For this reason, the massive labor action was held in 1964.
The space around Vuk’s house has been expanded and decorated, and Sabor had started to gain a significance on the republic level. Interesting and of quality, the content of this manifestation is one of the main reasons for its large attendance. Competitions in gusle, theatrical performances, oratorios, exhibitions, round tables, workshops and many other cultural and artistic programs are the unavoidable parts of every Vukovsabor.
When the two centuries of the birth of Vuk Stefanović Karadžić were celebrated in 1987., 100,000 people attended the Sabor. Every media in Yugoslavia had reported on that great event, and its significance had grown even bigger.
Tršić is still a place where „sabor“ is held during 365 days of the year and which doors are always open for those who want to see and learn something new. In 32 buildings that can be found at this famous place, through the range of contents, the intangible cultural heritage of Serbia is being presented. From exhibitions of old crafts, over interesting workshops and valuable documents and exhibits…
Value and significance of Vukov sabor was always appreciated by Serbian poets, writers, scientists, actors and politicians. Some of the regular guests of this manifestation were Ivo Andrić, Desanka Maksimović, Mira Alečkovič and Dobrica Ćosić, and other side of the visitors was consisted of „ordinary“ people. For that reason, Vukov sabor is known as a manifestation which has always brought together people and academics.
Vukov sabor became a part of the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Republic of Serbia along with 27 other elements. On this way, the large significance of this manifestation is once again confirmed and the traditional event in Tršić is protected from the oblivion.
For the residents of the small village near Loznica, Vukov sabor represents the most important day of the year. That is when the entire village gathers around, and Tršić becomes a big stage which is being visited by tens of thousands of people from Serbia and the world. Because of that residents experience and celebrate Vukov sabor as their patron saint or the time to honor the man after whom their village has become known worldwide.
Serbs from Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the USA at the Sabor
Serbian people who have left for the wide world are very often the guests of Vukov sabor. „Vukov sabor gathers around people on many levels. People from Tršić organize it as the opportunity to welcome their friends who have left Serbia, but also people from abroad who are not connected to Tršić, but visiting it has become some kind of a family tradition and an indispensable activity“, explains Ana Čugurović, ethnologist.
At the sabor, you can see Serbs from many European countries, the USA and Australia. They come here with their families in order to spend a few days at the biggest manifestation in Serbia, but also to enjoy the beautiful nature and local food of this area. „It is a real pleasure to be a part of such big and significant event. Customs, holidays and old Serbian manifestations cannot be forgotten“, says Ivan Sarić who has lived in Vienna for the past five years.
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