Weavers colony in Novi Pazar

The most recognizable kilims from Serbia that are inscribed on the national list of intangible cultural heritage, are those from Pirot, Stapar and Sjenica-Pester region. In order to fully affirm the most important segment of textile creativity in this region and preserve its cultural heritage, Ethno network, together with the city of Novi Pazar, local crafts association Pazarski bazar rukotvorina, NALED, the US Embassy and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, held the first weavers’ colony from November 7 through 10, in Novi Pazar.

In addition to local weavers, participants from previous colonies of the Ethno Network gathered in Novi Pazar. The keepers of tradition from Inđija, Loznica, Bor, Pancevo, Sremska Mitrovica and Sokobanja, demonstrated their skills through weaving the motifs of turtles from the local kilims.

 

- Sjenica-Pester kilims have been woven for centuries in the municipalities of Sjenica, Tutin, Nova Varoš, Priboj, Prijepolje and Novi Pazar. At the initiative of the Municipality of Sjenica and the Sandzak Kilim Association, in December 2018, the kilim was inscribed in the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. In an effort to support economic empowerment of women, our goal is to market hand-woven pieces through the mayor's protocol and the city's touristic economu – Ethno Network President Violeta Jovanovic noted at the opening of the colony. 

The weavers colony was visited by the ambassadors of Belgium and Finland with their wives, as well as by the Ambassador of Malaysia and representative of the Belgrade Foreign Visitors’ club. The diplomatic guests visited the colony and had a tour guided by the mayor to see the iconic landmarks of the city along with Altun Alem Mosque and Monastery Djurdjevi stupovi.  

How much the talent of women in these parts is respected, Novi Pazar Mayor Nihat Bisevac noted in particular.

- Women are at the forefront here. Due to the community service they do and the quality of their work, I am extremely pleased that we have launched the colony. I thank all the ambassadors who came to support us and to jointly promote the potential of our city and create conditions for our women to generate significant income from their work, Bisevac stressed.

Belgium's ambassador, Kun Adam, as diplomatic patron of the Ethno Network, stressed the importance of initiatives to preserve cultural and historical heritage, which with ethnic diversity can be the foundation for changing the city's image and a tangible source of tourism revenues, especially for women seeking employment.

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