Collection: Lelica (Riznica Veza)

Knjaževac is in an area of ​​mountains, villages and pastures where rural know-how related in particular to textiles and yarn work has been passed down for a long time.
The region also has an ancient history: traces of Roman presence and local heritage preserved in museums and traditional villages testify to the continuity of craft practices in Eastern Serbia.

Zavičajni muzej Knjaževac , CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Lelica learned embroidery at a very young age from her grandmother. In 2001 she lost her job and it was at this time that she took up embroidery again.
She started again with the basic stitches and, little by little, embroidery took its rightful place in her daily life. Today, she says, not a day goes by without her dedicating some time to it. Cushion covers, dresses, blouses, nightgowns: she embroiders on everything she can get her hands on.

Although she gives free rein to her inspiration of the moment for her creations, her work is nevertheless inspired by the traditional motifs of the region but also of the surrounding regions.
Like the embroideries of Šumadija (central region of Serbia) which adorn traditional shirts, the embroideries so characteristic of Kosovo but also certain motifs of neighbouring Hungary.

Lelica is gradually developing genuine technical mastery and its work is recognized locally:
In 2021, she won 2nd prize in the ornamentation and miniatures category at the national competition "Prolećni dani" (Spring Days) in Pančevo.
In 2022, she was invited as a jury member for the ethno meetings “Tradicijom u Evropu” (Tradition in Europe) in Knjaževac.

- Personal note -

What struck me immediately upon discovering Lelica's embroideries was the richness of her palette. Each color is enhanced by a delicate border of black thread which further accentuates its brilliance.
This creates a warm and luminous whole! Enhanced by both the richness of the colours and by motifs inspired by folklore.