The provocative and unusual exhibition, curated by the Museum Advisor Saša Srećković, will open on November 25, 2025, at 5:00 PM.
“Timor Mortis: Fear of Death” introduces visitors to the diversity of attitudes toward death in folk traditions, exploring customs, rituals, and social phenomena to reflect on the challenges and questions raised by this eternal theme.
Featuring objects from Serbian, Vlach, and Mexican traditions, which are part of the Ethnographic Museum’s collections, the exhibition offers visitors a rich cultural and multidisciplinary experience. Among the many original and mystical items on display, highlights include an elaborately decorated amulet on a silver chain, an icon of the Last Judgment depicting Jesus Christ, saints, and devils contending for souls, as well as several tombstones.
The exhibition also interprets the media’s portrayal of death and the role of media as a conveyor of messages about death, revealing the contemporary context in which society has deconstructed and, in public discourse, often trivialized the fear of death.
Throughout the exhibition, visitors will have the opportunity to view various historical and contemporary content, photographs, and videos on screens alongside the displayed objects.
The exhibition is supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Serbia.
