Commissioner for Protection of Equality Brankica Jankovic attended traditional manifestation the 4th „Weavers’ Colony“ at Stara Planina and supported women who produce kilims and other hand-made products, preserving and promoting art of weaving, as one of the most valuable traditional handcrafts in our country. Many of them are members of crafts cooperative “Lady’s Heart”, who weave world famous Pirot kilims exclusively from sheep’s wool from Stara Planina.

Special place in the „Weavers’ Colony“ is reserved for its youngest members,  children who are learning about this traditional craft together with experienced weavers, which is in such way transferred between the generations. On this occasion, children with best works on topic of Pirot kilims were awarded.

Commissioner Jankovic estimated that preservation of weaving, as a part of our cultural heritage, is a true exploit because it requires special kind of strength, creativity, knowledge and patience. Therefore, she considers our weavers as true heroines of equality, who are leading a difficult combat to preserve old crafts.

This event was attended by many representatives of diplomatic core, officials from national and local institutions, economy leaders and media representatives, who had a chance to meet culture and tradition and also to enjoy Eastern Serbia pure nature. This year, the „Weavers’ Colony“ patron is Ambassador of Canada Kati Csaba, while the hosts of this event, Pirot Mayer Vladan Vasic, Assistant to Pirot Mayer Milica Golubovic and head of crafts cooperative “Lady’s Heart” Slavica Ciric, made a great effort to present the touristic and economic potential of this part of Serbia to their guests. Organizers of „Weavers’ Colony“ are Etnomreza in partnership with cities of Pirot and Sombor, NALED and local crafts cooperative “Lady’s Heart”, with support from embassies of Canada and USA.