Crafts building tolerance

The holiday exhibition "Crafts building tolerance" presents handmade works as a combination of education and creativity and a strong artistic response to two important challenges of modern society, namely peer violence and the lack of intergenerational understanding.

The exhibition was organized by Ethno Network in cooperation with the Youth Center (CEZAM) under the auspices of the Cabinet of the Minister without Portfolio, with the support of the British Embassy.

Minister without Portfolio Tatjana Macura emphasized that each of the exhibited works deservedly found its place at the exhibition, adding that the entire organization is an incentive to continue networking civil society organizations next year, in order to achieve even better results. "The holiday exhibition is the most beautiful message for the end of this year. The activities that these women and children implemented in cooperation with Ethno Network helped them learn something new and to separate themselves from mobile phones a little. There is a need throughout Serbia to continue these activities and networking, and we will continue to support such good initiatives," said Macura.


Caroline Ferguson, the wife of the British Ambassador to Serbia, and patron of the organization, said that making handicrafts not only keeps the hands busy, but is also a type of therapy that calms the mind and gives a sense of achievement. Ferguson recalled that she was present at the same place on the occasion of the first year of CEZAM's work when she realized that the art workshops were very popular and that there was always a demand for more places to participate in such a workshop. Prof. Dr. Milica Pejović Milovančević, Director of the Institute for Mental Health, confirmed that Ethno Network workshops were the most visited at CEZAM and said that she would be happy to continue the cooperation that is yielding results.

The aim of the program is to connect young people and masters of old crafts, because such synergy can create a sustainable future, said the president of Ethno Network and executive director of NALED, Violeta Jovanović. "Children and young people are today most exposed to fast communication and the expectation of instant results whose effects last for a short time. The project with CEZAM offers different content - working with hands with natural materials, which requires concentration, patience and dedication, teaches us tolerance for mistakes and respect for diversity. Handicrafts in young people build self-confidence and a sense of belonging and identity and fulfill the purpose of the guardians of tradition to leave a mark through the transfer of knowledge," said Jovanović. We will continue to promote such activities because crafts are not a thing of the past, but an investment in the mental health and development of young people, said Jovanović, thanking all partners, sponsors and participants of the project.

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