The needs of the beneficiaries we work with vary based on their age, level of education, and chosen educational profiles. As professionals, we are always ready to adapt and must be flexible in providing support for learning and acquiring new knowledge and skills necessary for integration of our beneficiaries. Sometimes this involves additional engagement in every aspect that beneficiaries go through, especially when it comes to education. It is not enough just to enroll them in school. Working with children and young people involves the active participation of professionals in selecting literature, translating texts, assisting in the preparation of seminar papers, or anything else that may be helpful to them. Often, the most effective method is to prevent potential learning problems by acquainting them with the material they will cover in classes or lectures each semester before enrolling or at the beginning of the next semester, to better prepare them to master the specific material. Given that our beneficiaries still face a challenge known as the “language barrier,” we strive to creatively introduce them to our culture so that they can better integrate into society, understand things in a way that motivates and entertains them, and that they will also remember.
Our colleague who actively works on the Transitional Accommodation Project with beneficiaries who are students at the Faculty of Applied Arts, has developed an individual activity plan (which is prepared every six months) and identified possibilities that would be of great assistance to the beneficiaries. Specifically, in the plan proposal for the current semester at the Faculty of Applied Arts, one of the subjects is closely related to the architecture and art of medieval Serbia. This gave us the opportunity to introduce the beneficiaries to a part of Serbian cultural heritage in the most effective and creative way possible by visiting several historical Serbian monasteries that are directly connected to the subject matter. Some of their fellow students from the same field, with whom they have developed a close relationship, were also included in this mini excursion. The route of this short trip was organized so that they would visit key places significant for introducing beneficiaries to Serbian culture, tradition, and history, which are rich in content and always interesting to history enthusiasts and art students.
At the Zica Monastery, a Serbian medieval monastery from the 13th century, they had the opportunity to learn about the Nemanjic dynasty, the first Serbian king, Stefan Prvovencani, who both built this monastery and ordered that future Serbian kings be crowned there. In addition to the preserved frescoes and ornaments, they familiarized themselves with the monastery’s architecture and received all the necessary information about what makes this monastery unique, particularly in terms of its architecture during the Middle Ages.
At the Studenica Monastery from the 12th century, they learned about the figure of Saint Sava, also known as Prince Rastko, who was appointed as the abbot of this monastery. They also had the chance to find out that Saint Sava was the first Serbian archbishop, the first Serbian patron, and the first Serbian educator. Under his guidance, this monastery became the first cultural, artistic, medical, and spiritual center of the Serbian state. Beneficiaries also learned about the frescoes and architecture of this monastery, which encompasses two styles, Romanesque and Byzantine, whose blend produces a unique style called the Raska School.
At the Gradac Monastery from the 13th century, they learned that it was the foundation of the Serbian queen, Jelena Anzujska, the wife of King Uroš I, and they had the opportunity to see the Valley of Lilacs, which is part of their love story. The monastery was built according to Jelena Anzujska’s wishes, a French princess and Serbian queen who significantly contributed to the Serbian people as both a ruler and an educator. When the French noblewoman arrived in the River Ibar Valley as the future wife of King Stefan Uros I, he decided to surprise her by planting lilacs along the entire river valley to remind her of her homeland. Since then, the area where these trees grow has been called the Valley of Lilacs. The architecture of the monastery combines elements of the Raska School and Gothic architecture, making the monastery church unique in Serbia.
Visiting these monasteries was an excellent way for beneficiaries to creatively educate themselves, gather information, and learn about Serbian history and the rich content of the Middle Ages, which will be essential for their exam on medieval Serbian art and architecture. The weather was favorable during this trip, and the beneficiaries returned in good spirits, exchanging impressions about the places they visited with their fellow students.
For us, the most significant aspect of this is that in the next semester, beneficiaries will be adequately prepared to freely discuss the new subject. We are pleased that they will not feel like they are falling behind other students and that they will be able to share their experiences in lectures on medieval art because they have personally visited these places.
