Although gusle is a traditional instrument and part of the cultural heritage of Montenegro, craft of designing gusle is part of intangible heritage of Montenegro, as well as playing gusle and singing to it. Singing to gusle, as part of the intangible cultural heritage of Serbia, has been enlisted in the UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list.
Now, the question is, why Montenegro didn’t do that? Why Montenegro didn’t apply part of its heritage for this list?
“Montenegro hasn’t had activities regarding this matter, but we respect cultural heritage of those who see any element of intangible heritage related to gusle as part of their own tradition”, said the representatives of the department of Aleksandar Bogdanović.
They confirmed that traditional instrument gusle, is part of the cultural heritage of Montenegro as well.
“Also, the craft of designing gusle is part of the intangible cultural heritage of Montenegro. After the adoption of regulations from the domain of protection of cultural goods in 2010, Ministry of Culture, in cooperation with the Administration for the protection of Cultural goods and national Museum of Montenegro, carried out a project of the Record on the intangible heritage at the territory of Montenegro in 2012. Afterwards, a preliminary list of potential cultural goods has been formed and among other elements, singing to gusle and the craft of designing it were found on it”, said the representatives of the Ministry of Culture.
Serbian Minister of Culture, Vladan Vukosavljević, said recently that singing to gusle was part of their national and cultural identity.
“Serbian culture is multilayered, and that’s the consequence of interweaving of different cultural circles. On the other side, it’s also authentic. There’s no completely autonomous culture. Serbian culture, just like any other culture, had to receive influences from elsewhere first, and then pass them further. Cultures have impact on one another, they change and cultural heritage is the foundation of today’s contemporary culture”, said Vukosavljević.
We’re wondering: whose is our gusle?
