The festival, held under the slogan “Sustainability and the Connection Between Tradition and Modernity,” was dedicated to handicrafts as a symbol of authenticity, creativity, and cultural memory. Participants and visitors enjoyed exhibitions, fashion shows, and programs that combined traditional craft techniques with contemporary artistic expression, with a special focus on the country in the spotlight – Japan.
At the opening ceremony, Mrs. Tamara Vučić stated that Ethnology Fest represents “a meeting point of the most delicate, far-reaching, and profound parts of a nation’s soul and the spirit of the universe,” emphasizing that handicrafts are more than objects – “they are stories that carry energy, prayer, hope, love, and a spiritual message.”
The opening ceremony was marked by the Ethno Couture fashion show, featuring collections by three Serbian designers – Marija Stanković, Tanja Nikolić-Čičanović, and Nevena Ivanović – who blended elements of Serbian and Japanese heritage into a contemporary fashion expression. The audience could see how techniques such as crocheting and pointless embroidery come to life through high fashion and sustainable design.
On the second day, a special highlight was the fashion show dedicated to Japanese kimonos – from traditional kimono, yukata, and furisode forms to the modern collection of young designer Aya Murakami (brand AY). The audience also had the opportunity to see models from the famous Japanese fashion house Issey Miyake, presented from the private collection of Aleksandra Grais, while accordionist Nenad Ljubenović performed the traditional Japanese composition Sakura.
The Ambassador of Japan to Serbia, H.E. Akira Imamura, thanked the organizers for inviting Japan to be the country in focus, emphasizing that kimonos are “a centuries-old cultural story reflecting the bond between people and nature.”
The Director of the Ethnographic Museum, Marko Krstić, highlighted that Ethnology Fest unites fashion and tradition while promoting both Serbian and global cultural heritage. He reminded the audience of the long-standing presence of Japanese culture in Serbian art – from Andrić’s Ex Ponto to Crnjanski’s Old Songs from Japan – and announced that a special exhibition dedicated to Japanese culture will be organized next year.
The festival was founded by Gordana Goga Grubješić, who once again gathered artists, designers, and artisans from Serbia and abroad. Ethnology Fest has once again shown that handicrafts are not relics of the past, but a living part of cultural identity – a source of inspiration and creativity in the modern world.
