Izvorni znanstveni članak
Activities of Seljačka sloga organization in Slavonia, Srijem and Baranya (1925-1941)
Suzana Leček
Sažetak
In a very short period of its work (1925 – 1929 and 1935 – 1941), Seljačka sloga developed various forms of activities in the field of culture, education and economy. The main types and principles on which these activities had been carried on had been adopted by the year of 1929 and later, during the 1930s, they were either repeated or expanded. Most of its activities were taken over from various former citizens’ associations (in particular a so-called ABC club and the Croatian Society for People’s Education). However, in following Antun Radić’s teaching, it gained its own fresh content and new bearers of the ideas and strived for peasants to become agents in both culture and politics. Courses in literacy and various lectures were organized, libraries and reading rooms were set up, singing choirs, tamburiza orchestras and performance ensembles flourished, the so-called good and honest people’s courts were established. In view of the fact that all these institutions functioned in special circumstances in the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes, in which the opposition lead by the Croatian Peasants’ Party assumed the people’s (peasants’) character, the attendance was so remarkable that even the state bodies would not have been able to attract so many participants. Thanks to Seljačka sloga more than 300.000 people became literate, many reading sessions were held and the books for modestly furnished libraries in the villages were acquired, where many had the opportunity to acquire knowledge necessary for a decent living. Many people started to publish their thoughts and ideas about themselves and their position in the world. Serious attempts were made in order to assess the importance of folk literature, but they did not find appropriate response. Instead, other forms of crafts – original songs and dance as parts of traditional customs – gained admiration among the citizens. Slavonia showed its unique qualities in this field. The literacy movement in Slavonia steamed ahead of other regions and prizes for the highest levels of literacy in the country were regularly awarded to its branches. Besides, Slavonia produced quite a large number of authors who contributed to the activities of Seljačka sloga and many of them were the most read authors of the folk literature. Attempts were made in bringing back traditional costumes, especially in Slavonia, Syrmia and Baranya, where they had been abandoned or “tarnished” with rich and ready-made fabrics. As a result, the ranches of Seljačka sloga often reported on working hard to reintroduce old fabrics and skills. Exhibitions of national crafts were a great contribution to this. Seljaćka sloga started these shows and established the principles according to which they have been organized ever since. The organization prides itself on succeeding to organize as many as 160 shows in a very short period (regional and central in Zagreb) 36 of them were organized in the regions of Slavonia, Syrmia and Baranya.
Ključne riječi
Croatian Peasants’ Party; Seljačka sloga (Peasants’ Unity) organization; village; peasantry; education; economic help; traditional culture; art; shows
Hrčak ID:
20044
URI
Datum izdavanja:
10.11.2003.
Posjeta: 2.864 *