The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has accepted Serbia’s candidacy to include Slovak naïve painting on its Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, announced Maja Gojković, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture of the Republic of Serbia.
Speaking at the grand opening of the 2nd Festival of Slovak Naïve Painting in Serbia, held in Kovačica, Gojković expressed that the nomination has successfully passed its first evaluation phase and is now under consideration in its second phase.
“The final decision will be rendered in 2024, and we await the conclusion of this process with great and warranted optimism,” said the Deputy Prime Minister. Concurrently, as part of the festival’s offerings, she inaugurated an exhibition entitled ‘Reformers of Slavic Literacy and Language among Slavic Nations in Europe.’
This exhibition, curated by Vieroslava Svetlik, is a collaborative effort with the Forum of Slavic Cultures, an international organization dedicated to promoting the culture of Slavic countries. Gojković stressed the aim of the exhibition is to amplify the visibility and recognition of the Slovak community’s creative talents in Kovačica.
Adding to the festival’s offerings, Juraj Hamar, an author, unveiled his ‘Primer of Slovak Naïve Painting in Serbia.’
The festival’s grand opening saw attendance from notable dignitaries, including Haroslav Hrubik, Mayor of Kovačica; Andreja Rihter, Director of the Forum of Slavic Cultures; Emanuele Giaufret, Ambassador of the European Union Delegation to Serbia; and Fedor Rosoha, Ambassador of the Slovak Republic.
Photo: Galerija Naivne Umetnosti/Ministarstvo Kulture