She devoted her professional work to the systematic study and preservation of cultural heritage, with a particular focus on documentary, photo-documentary, and art collections. Through her engagement at the Ethnographic Museum in Belgrade and the Institute of Ethnography SASA, she significantly contributed to the development of museological practice, the advancement of documentation standards, and the scholarly understanding of social relations, customary law, and the everyday life of communities.
A special place in her academic work was dedicated to the study of family relations, the position of women and children, and the transformation of traditional patterns in contemporary society. In the field of cultural anthropology, she was recognized for her innovative approach and for opening space for new interpretations and critical reflections on social and cultural phenomena.
As one of the pioneers of contemporary approaches in ethnographic museology, she made an important contribution to changes in ethnographic museum practice. Among museum professionals, she was also recognized as one of the early advocates of ethnographic film, actively participating in the establishment and development of the International Festival of Ethnological Film, organized by the Ethnographic Museum in Belgrade.
Throughout her career, she participated in numerous scientific research projects, professional bodies, festivals, and editorial boards, contributing to the connection between the academic community, cultural institutions, and the wider public.
As a university professor at the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Belgrade, Department of Ethnology and Anthropology, she dedicated herself to educating generations of students, encouraging critical thinking about cultural heritage, identity, and social change.
Her scholarly work, professional dedication, and contribution to the development of ethnology and museology remain permanently embedded in the institutions where she worked, as well as within the professional and academic community.
The memory of Ljiljana Gavrilović will endure through her academic work, professional contributions, and the lasting impact she left on colleagues, associates, and students.
