The only place where
you can link the present with the past is through museums. It is captivating how they
can preserve our heritage with little pieces from the past. Aiming to learn more
about our culture I visited two museums: The Prizren’s League and The
Ethnographic Museum of Prishtina.
It
wasn’t my first time visiting the Prizren’s League ( Lidhja e Prizrenit). I visited it once when I was 9. I didn’t
understand anything
that was being said by the guide. I blankly just stared at the unknown faces in the
paintings and sculptures and the weird traditional clothing. After many years
had passed I got the chance to visit it again. Just as much I have evolved as a
person the feelings have changed too. The unknown faces back then now were
becoming really important. I was constantly thinking about their obstacles and
the impact they had on the future we are now living in. Through the traditional
clothing, now, I could see their way of living. I was realising how times have
changed since
three centuries ago.
Talking
about lifestyle, a painting that got my attention was the one with a family. It shows the father going
to war, leaving behind his wife and son. Being someone born after the war it is
hard to understand the feeling of being scared for your life and country as
well. I was feeling sad for all the ones who lost their lives in service of our
country. (next picture)
I saw a lot of traditional musical instruments that differ from other cultures.
What caught my eye was ‘Veku’. At first, I did not know what it was. It looked
strange to me. I got to understand that it is a machine used a long time ago to
make parts of traditional clothes. It was really interesting.
Despite all the other museums I have visited, the one that got my
attention was the Ethnographic Museum of Prishtina. There were three old houses,
since the 18’th century, turned into a museum. From the outside, they were painted
all white. The windows were big and black, we could see the jail rails placed
there in order that, the people who lived there, to protect themselves from the
occupiers.
As I was entering inside, the stairs were old and creaky. What was
interesting and odd about the house was that there were not any hallways. Every
room leads to the other. The first room was the living room. I was really
interested in seeing the way they lived before, how they ate and what dishes
they used.
There was a room that captivated me. It is called the men’s room (oda e
burrave), which symbolizes Albanian hospitality. The carpets were all red with
interesting details. The meaning of those carpets is tied with respecting and honoring
the guests. As you can see the room looks warm and welcoming to this day.
I was thrilled to see the traditional clothing of Hasi (kullani), my
hometown. They didn’t miss any single detail of it and had put it into a glass
box. Looking at the clothing, it made me think about all the women that used to
wear it before. It made me appreciate our culture and where I’m from.
The museums that
I have visited were from three centuries ago. Back then, they were used for
different purposes buy now, they left the same great impact in me. I got the
chance to understand many important things of our culture and roots. I attained
the love for them.
Comments
Post a Comment