Folk embroidery has an undoubted value. Over time, it became the perfection of women’s craftsmanship. Unfortunately, many works of folk art were destroyed during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Women did not have time to save the fruits of the national bond, it was more important to save lives.
Semira Jakupović from London brings us an interesting story of refugee women from Kozarac, who during their refugee life in Zenica engaged in folk embroidery. Their goal was to divert their thoughts from the everyday negativity brought by the war and focus on the joyful moments of pre-war life.
“The pictures show examples of folk embroidery, which was done on white chiffon. In the past, girls hand-made various items for the house and collected clothes for marriage. These beautiful things were kept in the barns. When the war started and our houses were set on fire, we were unable to save anything.
The pillowcases in the pictures were embroidered by my mother during her life as a refugee in Zenica, so that even for a moment she could evoke her lost home and fill her soul. The other pattern was made by my aunt.”
Semira Jakupovic
