Sela Srijemskog trokuta - kako nastaviti živjeti na tradicijskom tragu!?
Villages of the Sirmium Triangle: How to Continue to Live on the Path of Tradition

Summary/Abstract: The traditional cultural heritage in the villages of the Sirmium Triangle (the villages of the Vinkovci region - Lipovac, Apševci, Podgrađe, Nijemci and Donje Novo Selo, which were occupied during the Serb aggression from 1991 until 1 November 1996, when they were reintegrated into Croatia) was impressively maintained until 1991. It was preserved and nurtured in all of its forms and manifests. The villages were full with different traditional handcrafts. Many of the “Šokac” houses were really small ethnographic museums where people kept various traditional object from their families ancient past. During the war of aggression, those villages were devastated and leveled to the ground, and their cultural and historical artifacts, as well as all the other material goods, were stolen. Only a few people, mainly elderly and in poor health, remained in Apševci, Podgrađe and Nijemci during the time of the Serb aggression. The struggle for their bare existence was hard, painful and long, as well as the life of those who were displaced from their villages. Spirit and faith abide with all of them, but what else? After five years in exile and waiting to return, the overall material destruction is obvious, but also the great desire to resume normal life through different manifestations on the path of tradition. Old fashioned homes are being reconstructed as people return to the villages. Replicas of national costumes from various villages and other traditional textiles were made during the days of exile. Celebrations to honor village patron saints (“kirbaj”) are being held, as the most recognizable public symbol of each village. Also ancient customs, dances and songs are being maintained and nourished. Fortunately, the local youth is expressing in the present, a strong bond with their rich traditional cultural inheritance.

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