Pirot's Kilims

By:Bojana Jankovic

Uzice, July 15, (Serbia Today)- An Ethnographic Exhibit of traditional Pirot’s kilims is going on in Uzice, from July 13th to July 20th. The exhibit itself is held in “Jokanovic Home”, a landmark house built in Oriental-Balkan architecture of early 19th century.
This exhibition is organized by the Circle of Serbian Sisters Uzice, City of Uzice, Women's Center, National Museum and the Tourist organization of Uzice. At the opening remarks were given by Biljana Diković (poet), Slobodanka Mira Stankovic-Cirkovic (president CSS), Nikola Gogić (Director of National Museum Uzice), Zagorka Nikitovic (ethnologist).
With great attention and joy all present listened to the speakers and then to the music performances of Milos Colic (secondary Music school Vojislav Lale Stefanovic), Women's singing group Ethno Association Homeland (Sladjana Djokic, Ljiljana Bosiljcic, Ljubinka Milicevic, Snezana Cirovic and Snezana Tomic Jokovic) and Slavica Nikolic (singing group Association Ere Uzice).
The main reason for this gathering was the artistic contribution by the design studio Zidajn from Uzice, Media Radio Luna, Vesti, TV 5, and many admirers of the humanitarian work of the Circle of Serbian Sisters. Exhibited were rugs and kilims of women who inherited them from their grandmothers, and kept them as their greatest treasures.
Hand made wool rugs and kilims were always respected elements of the traditional Serbian households. With interesting ornaments, sophisticated selection and combination of colors, impeccable texture and excellent wool quality, they were used not only for floors, but as bed coverings, or as decorations on a wall.
The President of the Circle of Serbian Sisters Uzice , Slobodanka Mira Stankovic-Cirkovic said for Serbia Today, “This exhibition is an expression of our efforts to keep an old Serbian tradition alive, and we will continue working hard on it, because the golden hands of all those beautiful girls and women in the villages made such artistic creations that it would be such a shame if they ended up somewhere in boxes, and not seen or shown. A lot of gentleness, kindness, and beauty is interwoven in those kilims, and we will work on keeping that Serbian tradition alive for the benefit of this people. The younger generation need to see this, because when they do, they will feel the spirit of their ancestors.”
The Circle of Serbian Sisters Uzice ( formed in 1992) has 35 active members and their projects do not get any financial support . All the work is done voluntarily. Due to great interest for this exhibition of Pirot’s kilims, the closing date will probably be postponed.