18th International Meeting

StubickeToplice
Croatia

13-17 April, 2011

at the invitation of

Institut za etnologiju i folkloristiku

Miroslav Stojisavljević, 
Sombor, Serbia
mstojisavljevic@sbb.rs

Gusle- the sound of Serbian epic poetry - perspectives of the tradition in modern Serbian society

Music is intimately bound up with significant Balkan cultural and historical events. Throughout the Balkans - especially in Serbia and regions with significant Serbian populations - stories, moral teachings and religious beliefs are passed down from one generation to another through songs and dances. In particular, songs and performance practices associated with the musical instrument known as gusle, have played a pivotal role in the transmission of cultural and historical events, as well as in traditions within the Balkan regions populated by the people of Serbian extraction. Indeed, gusle repertoire and music-making continue to be regarded as an important part of their national, traditional heritage. Furthermore, gusle repertoire/poetry and musical performance traditions are viewed as important sources for cultural education, both formal and informal. This educative function was especially important during the time of the Ottoman occupation when the Serbian cultural phenomenon was suppressed.
This research paper focuses on the importance of contemporary gusle music performance practices amongst Serbs.
Is the gusle tradition still positioned to influence the current socio-cultural movements in the modern Serbian society, and to what extent is the gusle repertoar seen as a sufficient educational tool.
In which way do the young generations of gusle devotees maintain gusle tradition and repertoire?