TRADITIONAL AND SURVIVING CRAFTS OF JASTREBARSKO AREA IN THE REGIONAL MUSEUM OF JASTREBARSKO
Abstract
The crafts of Jastrebarsko area are represented according to a specific concept which includes both active and passive presentation.
Jastrebarsko is located thirty kilometars from Zagreb and was an important craft center since the 13th century. Urban and rural craftsmen alike specialized in smithery, tayloring, shoe-malsing, weaving, tanning, masonry, - Only a few of these activities are still alive; therefore, all of them need to be recorded, reconstructed and presented. The Regional Museum of Jastrebarsko, located in the medieval Erdody castle, gives special treatmen to the presentation of these crafts. First permanent exhibition of traditional material cuiture in the Museum was put together by a group of local amateur enthusiasts in 1965. It was taken down in 1987, when the restoration of the castle began.
All the exibitions mentioned have illustrated catalogues with English summaries which, along with video and other documentation, explain and make possible the reconstruction of traditional skills.
Thus, the strategy of survival and cultural preservation of tradi in the Jastrebarsko area includes:
- The passive presentation of artisans’ tools and products, enlivened by photo, dia and video recordings of the labor process.
- Occasional presence of still active craitsmen on the Museum prem demonstrating their skill.
- Presentation of crafts outside of the Museum, in the context of »natural« continuing function of village fairs. An ethnologist adds to them sperific museological and educative content and purpose.
All three forms of presentation of traditional crafts could, perhaps, be ed by an innovative form: once the Erdody castle is restored, indoor exhibition, crafsmen’s demonstrations and »village fair« in the castle’s c could be attractively combined. In this way. a new form is attained that co both the image of medieval life and post-modern concept of eco-mueum.
