Stefan turned the dialect of the Sirinić parish into a book

Stefan Boškočević – A Young Artist and Guardian of Cultural Heritage

Stefan Boškočević is a scholarship recipient of the Humanitarian Organization Kosovo Pomoravlje and a student whose work shows that an artist can also be a guardian of cultural heritage.

The illustrated dictionary „”I liked it”,created as a graduation project by a student of the Faculty of Arts in Zvečan, represents a unique artistic and research endeavor. Drawing inspiration from the dialect of the Sirinićka Župa region, the author combined illustration, text, and book design to create an authentic record of language, identity, and everyday life in this area.

Turning the dialect of Sirinićka Župa into a book

My graduation project for the Book Design course focuses on the dialect spoken in Sirinićka Župa. The idea came from a desire to record and preserve words that were once part of everyday speech but are slowly disappearing today, Stefan explains

The words are presented through collage illustrations and short stories that place them within a concrete life context, with a touch of subtle humor. The very title of the dictionary “I liked it”, meaning “what do I need it for” or “I don’t need that” – symbolically reflects the spirit and mindset of the community from which the dialect originates.

The process of creating the book itself was especially interesting, as part of the assignment was to learn how to hand-bind and assemble a book, including making the binding and covers, Stefan adds.

Audience and Presentations

So far, the dictionary has been presented at the final exhibition of the Faculty of Arts in Kosovska Mitrovica, and in cooperation with the Society for Serbian Language and Literature “Old Kosovo” a public discussion was organized in Štrpce.

On that occasion, local residents gathered, joined the conversation, and shared their experiences and memories related to the dialect, which was extremely meaningful to me, the author emphasizes

A year of exhibitions, work, and creativity

Behind the young artist is a year filled with numerous activities. A solo exhibition entitled “Attic” participation in art colonies and projects in the country and abroad, as well as intensive work on his master’s studies, marked an important period.

Although the pace was demanding, this year was beautiful, fulfilling, and successful precisely because of all those experiences, he says

Plans after the master’s degree

As a scholarship recipient of the Humanitarian Organization Kosovo Pomoravlje, Stefan emphasizes the importance of the support he received during his studies. After completing his master’s degree, his plans are clear

I intend to enroll in doctoral studies and raise my level of education even further, he points out.

Art as a process of constant change

Reflecting on his beginnings, Stefan speaks about a love for drawing and creating that has been present since childhood.

What has always attracted me to art is the possibility of expressing my deepest emotions through my work. As we change, so does the way we work. It is precisely in that constant change and development that the true charm of art lies

Studying in Kosovo and Metohija – a challenge and an advantage

He views studying in Kosovo and Metohija as an experience that has shaped him. The lack of cultural programs and gallery spaces did not discourage him, but instead motivated him to be more persistent and proactive.

I believe that where we are is not crucial, but rather that we love what we do, are willing to take risks, and work continuously, he concludes

Recognition as motivation

As the crowning achievement of his efforts so far, he was recently awarded the Erste bank “Believe in Yourself” prize for the best student of the Faculty of Arts.

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