In order to improve the presentation of cultural heritage and strengthen the identity of Kolašin, the NGO CIRTIP project "Costumes, Stories, Faces. Photos from the Heart of Our Municipality" was successfully implemented. This story, according to CIRTIP, connects the heritage and natural resources of the Kolašin municipality through professional photographs in Montenegrin folk and cloth costumes.
"At recognizable locations in Bjelasica, as well as in controlled conditions, high-quality sets were created that meet the needs of tourist and cultural presentation in a modern and attractive way. The realized material provides a comprehensive visual identity of folk costumes and parts of the Intangible Cultural Heritage 'Traditional Dances of the Kolašin Region', which has not had an adequate expression in this segment until now," the organization explains.
The project is co-financed by the Municipality of Kolašin, through a competition intended for non-governmental organizations, while significant logistical support was provided by the Cultural Center and "Tri sove knives". The idea was realized in cooperation with the renowned Montenegrin photographer Radonja Srdanović, recognized for his high aesthetic standard. Members of the "Mijat Mašković" Cultural and Artistic Association were models during three sessions that lasted more than eight hours each. The organizers also give special recognition to the drivers who enabled the numerous teams to travel to difficult-to-access terrain.
"A total of 100 photographs will be provided free of charge to the Kolašin Tourist Organization, the Kolašin Cultural Center and the Kolašin Municipality, with the possibility of using them in campaigns, guides, exhibitions, printed and digital publications, as well as on social networks. In this way, the municipality receives a permanent resource that will serve to strengthen the image of Kolašin as a destination with a pronounced local identity. The social significance of the project is reflected in highlighting the bearers of intangible cultural heritage and raising awareness among the local community about the role of heritage in the development of tourism and its value for future generations," CIRTIP said.
Some of the photographs also contain "provocative artistic interpretation through the use of props such as yatagan, spinning top and elements of carnival masking, with the emphasis on the metaphor of the multi-layered strength of women in Montenegrin history." A special charm in CIRTIP is given by the fact that the frames also immortalize family traditions within the "Mijat Mašković" cultural and artistic group, where mothers, fathers and children, as well as brothers and sisters, have been active on stage for decades.
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