For twenty years, the Association "Vasila" from Trebinje has been working on the promotion of traditional crafts: embroidery, sewing, weaving and crocheting. Today, the works of the members of this Association adorn many homes, many costumes made by them play their rounds, and they selflessly pass on knowledge of traditional crafts to younger generations. 

This year, the six-month project “Preservation of Traditional Herzegovinian Embroidery Motifs,” implemented by the Association, received support through the Regional Programme on Local Democracy in the Western Balkans 3 (ReLOaD3), funded by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The project directly contributes to the promotion of cultural heritage by facilitating the transfer of knowledge on traditional crafts and fostering cooperation with key stakeholders in the cultural sector in the region. It also seeks to breathe new life into Herzegovina’s cultural heritage through education, providing children in particular with a creative alternative to screen time, while offering women opportunities for economic empowerment.

As part of the project, the Association organized 24 workshops on indigenous Herzegovinian embroidery techniques, machine embroidery, the use of digital embroidery patterns, sewing, tailoring and the making of traditional costumes, as well as visual arts, drawing and painting inspired by traditional motifs. The workshops were attended by 30 participants. The project culminated in a exhibition at the Cultural Centre in Trebinje, where textile works, drawings and photographs created during the project were showcased.

Photo 2: Anka at sewing workshop            

“As soon as I learned that a sewing workshop would be organized, I signed up right away. I made a bag, a skirt, a belt and an apron. When I brought home a skirt and apron for my granddaughter and saw how delighted she was, I realized that learning to sew had truly been worthwhile. She immediately put on the skirt and apron and happily played around the house,” says Anka, one of the workshop participants. “Many thanks to everyone in the Association and to all those who contributed to making this project possible.”

Eleven-year-old Nika was a regular participant in embroidery workshops, and her creations have already been incorporated into parts of traditional costumes and shirts. “Nothing makes me happier than donating my work for humanitarian purposes and bringing joy to those who need support the most. Every effort and every hour of work gains its true meaning when I know that I have done a good deed,” she says.

Photo 3: Embroidery workshop         

Although the workshops have come to an end, the impact they created continues to live on. Some of the participants have decided to take a step further and become members of the “Vasila” Association. In this way, the Association continues its long-standing work with new members, fresh energy and new ideas, weaving new threads into a story of community, tradition and knowledge passed down from generation to generation.