Handwork in Yugoslavia

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 31, 5 August 1933, Page 19

Handwork in Yugoslavia

It was not so very long ago that a struggle which, had lasted several hundred" years was brought; to an end and, a number' of small states or districts were united into one kingdom known today as Yugoslavia. It is a kingdom of beauty, with its sunny Adriatic coast, rugged snow-capped mountains, and swift rivers which' flow, through deep ravines hemmed in by pine-covered slopes (writes a correspondent). The people of this newly-formed country preserve their age-old traditions and speak the old language. Life in the bigger district- is the urban life of most progressive countries, but in agricultural and mountain districts it is little altered from that of a century ago. Before the war every peasant wore warments reminiscent of medieval splendour in their quaint and beautiful colour schemes. Every woman was mistress of .the various processes necessary for the production of clothes, from the preparation of the raw flajc or the wool from the sheep's back.. After the war, however, difficulty arose in obtaining raw material, and the competition of machine-made goods _ endangered the artistic and exquisite handwork which has been the pride of the peasants of Yugoslavia for many hundreds of years. But now there arc signs of a revival and it is possible to obtain from Yugoslavia hand-embroidered jumpers, children's clothes,'luncheon sets, tea cloths, leather coats and bags; besides numerous small and attractive things Suitable for presents. The designs are copied by the peasants from old originals collected from • all parts or Yugoslavia. . , '