НАРОДНА НОШЊА УЖИЧКОГ КРАЈА – ИДЕНТИТЕТСКА САМОСПОЗНАЈА МЛАДИХ

Abstract

Upon the basis of previously conducted research on the national identity and value orientation of young people, the research problem is approached from the pedagogical aspect: whether and how young people from Užice perceive the importance of identity self-knowledge, that is, whether they understand the importance of knowing the local folk costume. Since the city of Užice has been declared the national capital of culture for 2024, with programs emphasizing intra, inter-, and multicultural values through a multi-directional identity framework that creatively synthesizes tradition and contemporary culture, research has focused on young people, who are the main leaders and promoters of the region’s identity code. Therefore, the sample is deliberate, stratified and consisted of 450 secondary school students of the City of Užice aged 17–18. A descriptive method and survey technique were applied. Statistical data processing using the SPSS software package showed that young people do not know enough about the local costume and its specificity, origin and meanings, but that they show a willingness to learn more. In this sense, they expect the support of the school education system, cultural institutions of the City, the media, citizens’ associations, etc. The significance of the research should be interpreted in the context of developing young people’s competences for understanding the multiple meanings of local folk costume and for recognizing the diverse identity expressions embodied in Serbian folk costumes from various regions, both past and present. Identity self-awareness is the basis and the way to meet, appreciate, and understand other and different identities.