Theatre Design & Technology - Fall 2007 - 17

Chinese Salon, many exotic plants, and a fountain outside the main entrance. The real gem of the memorial, however, is the Old Museum, built
in 1965. It was speciﬁcally designed to be an extensive archival display of
the impressively huge collection of gifts that were given to Tito by Yugoslav
citizens and foreign leaders. This particular museum may be one of the
least known to outsiders (information about this memorial is very difﬁcult to ﬁnd, but possibly as Serbia becomes more Westernized it might
become more popular), but it is a breathtaking collection. There are over
5,000 ethnographic gifts in the museum's inventory. Due to the lack of
space, only a small portion is on display, and the exhibition rotates periodically. It is a costume designer's dream for primary research, and it has
items that will interest props masters and set dressers as well. Not only are
there literally hundreds (perhaps even thousands) of different ethnic costumes from around the world (which include various puppets and dolls in
traditional dress), there are also displays of weapons and arms, ornately
carved furniture, and unusual musical instruments.
The entire ﬁrst room is devoted to gifts
that are personal in nature. There is an odd
assortment of purses, belts, woolen stockings, hats, vests and nightclothes that were all
painstakingly made to honor the former leader.
Hand-made rugs, blankets, pillows and clothing embroidered with messages such as "Thank
you Comrade Tito," made by various women's
groups and other local organizations are also
on display in this area.
One of the most fascinating and wonderful
costumes on display is the Witch Doctor costume,
sent from Bolivia. In a glass case by itself, it is
bright red, covered in sequins, has a full mask
with bulging eyes and huge teeth, curling horns,
a very large and heavy looking red cape, and
bright red Converse high-top boots. Hardly the
typical description of a folk costume!
A sample of typical embroidery, Tito's grave, Belgrade, Serbia.
Another commonality of the ethnic dress is the colors. To the trained
eye, it is possible to discern the wearer's nationality and region. In areas
where vegetable dyes are easily attained (most of the Balkans), the colors are brighter, and the embroidery patterns are predominately ﬂoral. In
the mountains of Serbia, the patterns are simpler and less colorful. The
traditional colors of Montenegro are said to represent blood (red), glory
(gold), and remembrance (black), while Croatian costumes often use
blue, brown, white, and red. Since all of Serbia, Montenegro, and Croatia
were formerly one country, it is not surprising that there are similarities of
costumes in each of these regions.
Belgrade, Serbia, is home to another ethnographic museum which
has by far the most impressive collection of folk costumes that we encountered on the tour. The collection is housed at the grounds of the House
of Flowers, the memorial grave site and mausoleum of Josip Broz, "Tito,"
leader of the former Yugoslavia. The House of Flowers, intended to be
Tito's winter garden, is now a shrine that recreates his personal ofﬁce,

Embriodered tunic, Tito's grave, Belgrade, Serbia.

Balkan Folk Dolls, Tito's grave, Belgrade, Serbia.

THEATRE

DESIGN

TECHNOLOGY
F

2007

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Theatre Design & Technology - Fall 2007