The constant race for time and money in which the modern man, unwilling, has to participate in order to try to secure for himself and his family a better and more secure future, usually putting into the background what happened yesterday, all that was and what belongs to past times. Tradition seems to slowly grow into a synonym for obsolescence, so the status of a museum exhibit becomes sufficient. Nevertheless, the past is the most reliable guardian of our identity and the most accurate compass we can have in the present at all.
Should we allow the rich mosaic of the past to fade away completely and are we ready to preserve the tradition, or has the age of intellectual and social revolutions distanced us forever, placing us in the simplified version of the contemporary milieu of ‘global culture’?
Proud of Montenegro being a part of the global cultural heritage (much to the credit of our ancestors, our Zor delija), but also determined to contribute to the value of the Made in Montenegro label, Ms. Mara Vukanic and her husband Ranko Vukanic have opened the gallery Zor. Thus, the first workshop was created with an exhibition gallery of handicrafts not only in Podgorica, but throughout Montenegro. There is a wonderful Montenegrin story for five years in this space. Testimonials from various meridians testify to her; and among them is ‘our man from abroad’, Mara Vukanic points out, ‘always easy to recognize, because of the emotion, recognizable and sincere emotion gives him away’.
Combining the spirit of the past with the present, Mara also merges more crafts. It is dominated by the skill of using a traditional Montenegrin golden embroidery work, but it is never the only embroidery and never a single craft. The result of such a combination of different skills is one of the most popular products of the workshop and a frequent protocol gift – a notebook with golden embroidery work. Both, the notebook and all the other products that can be found in the Zor Gallery have attractive usable value. It is in this fact that their particular attraction lies. With all this, visitors also have the opportunity to attend embroidery work in live, the revival of the game of gold thread that is played right here, in front of them. And as our ancestors dawned on their costume at a time when it was also an important status symbol, so satisfied customers recount their impressions with the promise that they would come again, and besides themselves, often people who are close to them come – because the beautiful word is far heard.
All that can be seen in the gallery is the work of the skilled hands of Mara Vukanic: pillowcase, tablecloth, towel, part of the costume, even the boxes are handcrafted with extremely sophisticated craftsmanship, of course, always simply packed – because the original ornament does not need additional decoration.
By favouring the product, the warm atmosphere and the satisfied customer, they once again make known why their artistic and entrepreneurial endeavour is both successful and noble. Foreigners recognize it, our people recognize it as well.
Still, there are never skilled hand enough. Mrs. Mara is too busy making orders, her husband works tirelessly to draft new products and they would be happy to have more help. ‘Either way, I’m sure,’ Mara told us, ‘anyone who wants to join us should share our passion for this business’.
Indeed, emotions are what truly make this unique brand special. When you are greeted by Vukanic family in their space, you immediately feel their commitment to work and the warmth that turns their workshop and gallery into another home.
An important and unique Montenegrin story was created and lived in Njegoseva Street, in the centre of Podgorica; a story that keeps from forgetting something that is always ours, and which, unfortunately, we often forget. Come and check it out. All of you who are not embedded in the rigid stereotypes of the ‘modern’ world is waiting there for people who, in the midst of the city’s turmoil, have succeeded in creating a rich treasure trove turned to tradition. Wide arms are waiting for you – and open hearts.
