SB TD Theatrical representation of tradition

During a four-month period, with bi-weekly meetings, students of Religion and Civilisations explored the gusle, a musical instrument deeply rooted in Serbian traditional culture. Two teachers organized a series of discussions on various aspects of gusle culture, enabling students to select and focus on elements they found most interesting and relevant.

From November 2025 to February 2026, students worked in 15 thematic groups, conducting research that culminated in presentations and discussions from the perspective of contemporary high school learners. A key highlight of the introductory phase was a live gusle performance. Respected guslar Mr. Slavko Jeknić delivered a lecture and performed several traditional songs accompanied by the gusle, offering students a rare opportunity to experience this ancient tradition in vivo.

Building on this direct experience, students expanded their research in diverse directions: from the instrument itself—its material and symbolic characteristics—to the analysis of epic poems performed with gusle accompaniment, historical contexts, biographies of prominent guslars, and even its anthropological and political dimensions, including its role in cultural expression and resistance narratives.

In the final stage, the project turned toward universal human values embedded within the epic tradition, moving beyond national and cultural boundaries. Students engaged with Marko Miljanov’s Examples of Humanity and Heroism (Primjeri čojstva i junaštva), critically analyzing its messages, ethical guidance, and relevance today. This reflection encouraged a thoughtful evaluation of both the strengths and limitations of the epic tradition, fostering a deeper understanding of its cultural and moral legacy.