A series of thematic workshops entitled Museums – Guardians of Tradition and Culture were held in recent days in the premises of the Jovan Miletić Serbian Supplementary School in Trieste, a school of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Serbia. In all teaching groups, with the help of teachers Danijela Janković and Slađana Marković, classrooms were temporarily transformed into authentic exhibition spaces dedicated to national heritage.

The aim of the workshops was to introduce students to the concept of museums as institutions that preserve cultural and historical heritage. Through discussions about significant cultural institutions, such as the National and Ethnographic Museums, students gained insight into the importance of preserving material evidence of the past. A special segment of the activity was aimed at active participation of students in the learning process.

The students brought objects from their family homes that testify to the tradition and way of life of past generations. This formed a school exhibition which presented various objects, including old charcoal irons, hand embroidery, parts of folk costumes, jars, wooden dishes, cezves, coffee mills and kilims.
During the presentation, the students spoke about the origin and significance of the objects they had brought, conveying family memories and stories. This enriched the teaching process with personal impression and direct experience, which further strengthened students’ connection with cultural heritage.

The creative part of the activity was realized through visual expression, during which the students illustrated the objects that had left the strongest impression on them.

The workshops stimulated the students’ interest in tradition and cultural heritage, while developing awareness of the importance of its preservation. With this activity, the Serbian Supplementary School in Trieste confirms its important role in fostering the Serbian language and culture in the diaspora.

Source: Republic of Serbia Institute for the Improvement of Education

Photo: Deutsche Welle (DW)