In the Homeland Museum of Knjaževac special attention is paid to the preservation of intangible cultural heritage through the realization of various programs intended for a wide audience, children and young people, persons with disabilities, socially vulnerable and marginalized groups, domestic and foreign tourists.
Through the Summer School of Traditional Crafts program supported by the Ministry of Culture and Information old craft techniques are preserved: traditional pottery, two-string knitting and weaving. About a dozen trainees attend this program every year, and the result of their work are numerous unique souvenirs made of clay and wool. A part of the products and souvenirs made during the Summer School of Traditional Crafts are offered as souvenirs from the Homeland Museum of Knjaževac.
The Homeland Museum of Knjaževac, with the support of the US Embassy in Belgrade is realizing the program “Social Entrepreneurship as a Model for Preservation and Revitalization of Old Crafts” which includes socially vulnerable categories, persons with disabilities, beneficiaries of the gerontology centre, unemployed persons and young people. Through workshops in the premises of the Homeland Museum of Knjaževac, with expert guidance and instructions of educators and demonstrators, young designers, artists and art teachers, knitters, weavers and other connoisseurs of old crafts, the trainees design and create replicas of museum items, two-string knitted socks, objects made of clay and woven usable items, souvenirs, bags, handbags, fashion details, jewelry and other.
All these items bear the sign of a protected souvenir program of the Homeland Museum of Knjaževac “Purchasing for a cause” and a mark of a museum replica, names of persons who made the item and also data about dimensions, technique and material they are made of. In this way the Homeland Museum of Knjaževac enabled the transfer of knowledge and skills, preservation and restoration of old crafts, possibility of economic empowerment and socialization of vulnerable categories.
We wish to thank the US Embassy in Belgrade for recognizing the significance of this program and financial support for its realization.
During the realization of this program, a representative and unique offer of souvenirs and museum replicas was formed which can be seen in two locations. The first is in the gallery of the Homeland Museum of Knjaževac at Karađorđeva 15, and the second in the Archaeo-Ethno Park in Ravna.
In these places you can also buy the publications of the Homeland Museum of Knjaževac: exhibition catalogues, publications and other information brochures but also specially designed and made unique souvenirs: bookmarkers, picture postcards, magnets, pendants, replicas of museum items, clay pots and other pottery, jewelry and various fashion details made of wool, handbags and wallets, scarves, caps and gloves, children’s toys made of wool in two string knitting technique with ornaments from two-string socks, puzzles and other.
In a case you are unable to visit us, we invite you to visit our internet shop and buy the souvenirs of the Homeland Museum of Knjaževac online. The creating of the internet shop of the Homeland Museum of Knjaževac was supported by the US Embassy in Belgrade.
By purchasing the souvenirs you support the development of the Homeland Museum of Knjaževac program for the preservation and restoration of old crafts and you also enable the economic empowerment of people involved in the manufacture of these souvenirs.