Activities of the Ethnographic
Museum
The Ethnographic Museum in Belgrade develops all forms of museological and research work, which include the collection of objects and their classification into museum collections, research and documentation of data from the field, scientific and research work and the publication of professional and scientific texts, conservation and restoration processing and protection of objects, educational and pedagogical work and the preparation of exhibitions and other programs for the public. The museum is a cultural institution in which work is organized in organizational units that represent the basic parts of the work process in realizing the museum's activities.
Organizational units in the Museum are: 1) Department for the study of ethnographic cultural heritage; 2) Department for conservation, which includes: - Department for conservation of textiles and - Department for conservation of objects made of other materials; 3) Department for documentation, digitization and Library; 4) Department for work with visitors, program implementation and public relations; 5) Department for general affairs; 6) Finance Department, which includes a souvenir shop; 7) Center for Intangible Cultural Heritage of Serbia; 8) Ethnographic memorial collection of Hristifor Crnilović (Manak's house).
Organizational units in the Museum are: 1) Department for the study of ethnographic cultural heritage; 2) Department for conservation, which includes: - Department for conservation of textiles and - Department for conservation of objects made of other materials; 3) Department for documentation, digitization and Library; 4) Department for work with visitors, program implementation and public relations; 5) Department for general affairs; 6) Finance Department, which includes a souvenir shop; 7) Center for Intangible Cultural Heritage of Serbia; 8) Ethnographic memorial collection of Hristifor Crnilović (Manak's house).
Department for the Study of Ethnographic Cultural Heritage
The Department researches, collects, processes and studies works and phenomena of material, social and spiritual culture, customs and life of the Serbian people and other peoples, ethnic groups and national minorities, and the cultures of Slavic and neighboring peoples in other European and non-European countries are studied; works and objects of folk creativity, handicrafts, handicrafts and other testimonies of folk life and culture are displayed; the results of the work are stored, exhibited and published in museum and other publications, on audio and video media; the presentation of folk culture in ethnoparks is being prepared and organized.
Within the Department, curators, ethnologists and anthropologists investigate social phenomena in the field and collect objects as evidence of past events and ways of life. The experts who work in this department are responsible for selecting items that will be kept in the Museum and that will appropriately describe certain social phenomena and processes. Curators expertly process (inventory) the items and determine how the information about them will be documented. They present the results of their work to the public at study and thematic exhibitions, but also in scientific texts that are published in professional journals and catalogs.
Department for conservation, which includes the department for the conservation of textiles and the department for the conservation of objects made of other materials
The Department carries out conservation and restoration works, preventive protection and takes care of the conditions for the accommodation and storage of museum material. Modern methods and scientific results are applied for the protection of ethnographic assets.
From the founding of the Ethnographic Museum until 1940, curators and preparers took care of the conservation of museum objects. After the Second World War, three handicraft teachers started working in the Department and, a little later, one wood and metal trainer each. Thus began the professional technical protection of objects and the arrangement of the depot in the Ethnographic Museum. The Department of Conservation was officially established in 1957.
From the founding of the Ethnographic Museum until 1940, curators and preparers took care of the conservation of museum objects. After the Second World War, three handicraft teachers started working in the Department and, a little later, one wood and metal trainer each. Thus began the professional technical protection of objects and the arrangement of the depot in the Ethnographic Museum. The Department of Conservation was officially established in 1957.
In the beginning, the Department had a textile, metal and wood workshop, as well as a chemical laboratory. Experts of the Department take care of the preventive protection of museum objects in storage and on permanent display. The laboratories carry out conservation, restoration and reconstruction of ethnographic objects. Exhibits are being prepared for display at exhibitions. The Conservation Department also provides training for young experts employed in museums in Serbia, and conservators provide professional assistance to various institutions, folklore societies and individuals. Textile conservators with a group of ethnologists are working on a project to preserve old crafts.
Department for Documentation, Digitization and Library
The Documentation Department stores, processes and edits documentation, archival material, images and film on ethnographic assets in the Ethnographic Museum; the Central Register of Ethnographic Museum Objects is maintained and the documentation system is constantly being improved.
The department was established in 1919 and from then until today, documentation was maintained, which included the Main Inventory and several auxiliary files. The foundations of today's documentation were appointed in 1961, and the work is harmonized with national and international regulations and decree.
Electronic documentation is maintained in the Department as part of a wider project of the central register of movable cultural property of Serbia.
The department was established in 1919 and from then until today, documentation was maintained, which included the Main Inventory and several auxiliary files. The foundations of today's documentation were appointed in 1961, and the work is harmonized with national and international regulations and decree.
Electronic documentation is maintained in the Department as part of a wider project of the central register of movable cultural property of Serbia.
Within the Department of Documentation, special collections were created: Photo documentation of objects and occurrences in the field with the associated collection of slides, Collection of old negatives and photographs along with associated bequests, Art collection, Museum archive and material for the Ethnological Atlas.
The Library collects, stores and processes books and other publications in the fields of ethnology, museology, art and social sciences.
Since the beginning of the Museum's independent work, the library fund has been developing and enriching, and today it consists of about 60,000 publications, among which are about 33,000 books and about 27,000 publications in the field of ethnology and anthropology, as well as related disciplines.
The Library collects, stores and processes books and other publications in the fields of ethnology, museology, art and social sciences.
Since the beginning of the Museum's independent work, the library fund has been developing and enriching, and today it consists of about 60,000 publications, among which are about 33,000 books and about 27,000 publications in the field of ethnology and anthropology, as well as related disciplines.
Department for work with visitors, program implementation and public relations
The Department organizes exhibitions and exhibition tours, creates workshops for children and adults inspired by the content of the permanent exhibition National Culture of the Serbs in the 19th and 20th centuries and temporary exhibitions, organizes lectures, seminars, consultations, film screenings, concerts and other events.
Special attention is paid to working with children of preschool and school age in order to give them the opportunity to not only be passive observers at exhibitions and events in the Museum, but to participate in various programs.
This department is in charge of informing the general public about events in the museum and about the museum's activities.
This department is in charge of informing the general public about events in the museum and about the museum's activities.
General Affairs Department
Joint and general tasks of the Museum are carried out in the Department. They take care of the preparation and implementation of acts, programs, plans and informs the employees about the work of the museum. The Secretariat handles legal, administrative and personnel matters. Prepares work plans and reports. The maintenance service takes care of the safety, preservation and correctness of the property and fire protection and hygiene of the museum.
Finance department, including the souvenir shop
The Department prepares financial plans, income and expenditure reports, final accounts and performs all financial and accounting work.
Center for Intangible Cultural Heritage of Serbia
Managing and preserving the National Register of Intangible Cultural Heritage, as well as all documentation on intangible cultural heritage in electronic, paper, video and audio form, is one of the most important activities of the Center for Intangible Cultural Heritage of Serbia. The National Register of Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Republic of Serbia currently contains 57 elements registered based on the decisions of the National Committee for Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The Center for Intangible Cultural Heritage coordinates the preparation of nomination files for UNESCO lists of intangible cultural heritage, based on decisions made by the National Committee for Intangible Cultural Heritage and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Serbia. Also, the Center deals with the presentation and promotion of intangible cultural heritage at the national and international level, as well as education about the importance of preserving this type of heritage. A significant segment of the Center's work relates to the establishment of cooperation with local communities, groups, individuals, experts and researchers, cultural institutions, scientific research institutes and educational institutions, civil society organizations and other relevant associations at the national and international level, all with the aim of systematic, interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral work on the preservation of intangible cultural heritage.
Ethnographic memorial collection of Hristifor Crnilović - Manak's house
Objects from the collection of Hristifor Crnilović are stored and researched in Manak's house. In addition to the permanent exhibition, occasional thematic exhibitions, special programs (concerts, lectures, etc.) and courses in old crafts are organized.
