Unusual Belgrade Associations of the 30s | Old Belgrade Stories

The period between the two world wars in Belgrade is considered the golden age of the Serbian capital. Riding on the wings of victory and the country's reconstruction after the Great War, the urban, cultural, and educational development of the Belgrade quarter reached its peak during the 1930s. Thanks to artists and scientists, European values and various civilizational trends gradually found their way to the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, specifically its capital.

One of the many indicators of the accelerated development of Belgrade society was the establishment of an increasing number of civic associations, aiming to improve the economic, cultural, or social status of their members, as well as their professions or interests.

Prior to that, various artisan guilds existed in Belgrade, including tailors, barbers, wax-makers, chimney sweeps, mattress makers, clothiers, coppersmiths, laundry and ironing masters, blacksmiths and wheelwrights, tanners, brushmakers, carpenters, turners, and other masters of traditional crafts.

However, as the European spirit settled in Belgrade, the city's residents began to establish associations with entirely different missions—from raising awareness about specific social issues to regional associations and solving practical problems through collaboration.

Among the numerous associations and unions in Belgrade, we highlight some unusual ones that were popular among the residents in the 1930s.

Association of Former French School Students

The beginning of the 20th century was marked by a change in the foreign policy of the Kingdom of Serbia, which increasingly turned to France and Russia as allies instead of Austria-Hungary. Strong Serbian-French connections were confirmed during and after the end of the Great War when a large number of Serbian students had the opportunity to pursue their education at prestigious French universities. The so-called "French students" then formed the backbone of the Serbian intelligentsia during the 1920s and 1930s. Their association was housed in the former War House, now known as the House of the Army. The president of this association was university professor Ivan Đaja.

Association of Twins in Yugoslavia

This charming association was established following similar ones in Europe, with the aim of bringing together a larger number of twins in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia for the exchange of experiences and the study of genetic and personality traits. The headquarters of this association were located at Kralja Milana 26, where modern offices of a digital marketing agency are now situated.

Association of Cuban Cossacks

After the October Revolution and the fall of Tsarist Russia, a large number of Russians sought and found refuge in Serbia. The famous Cossacks from the Kuban region in southwestern Russia established their association in Belgrade, led by General Aleksandar Filimonov. The headquarters of the Cossack association were located at Kralja Milana 12, both then and now.

Association of Greeks Riga of Fere

The first contacts and friendly connections between the Greek and Serbian people date back to the time of the Byzantine Empire. However, by the end of the 19th century, Belgrade became home to a significant number of Greek merchants and Vlachs who occasionally played important roles in the city's life. Greek immigrants in Belgrade also had their association, symbolically named after the famous Greek hero and revolutionary, Riga of Fere, who was executed in the present-day Nebojša Tower in the late 18th century. The headquarters of this association were located on the second floor of a building at Kolarčeva 9. Its president was the merchant Rista Argiris.

Association of Housewives and Mothers

The 1930s were a period when women's rights in Yugoslav society timidly emerged as a social topic. Pioneers in this story were Ksenija Atanasijević, Marija Magazinović, Milica Jakovljević, and other prominent women of that time. In a similar context, an association was formed for women who were not public workers but "only" mothers and housewives. The headquarters of this association were located at Njegoševa 5, and its president was Mara Trifković.

Zionist Local Organization

It is little known that the idea of Zionism (the return of dispersed Jews to Israel) has its roots in Belgrade, specifically Zemun, where its creator Rabbi Alkalaj lived most of his life. In connection with that, the propagators of this idea established their association in the capital long before the formal establishment of the state of Israel in 1948. The headquarters of this organization were located on today's Pariska Street, number 13.

Association of Fashionable Women

The existence of the Association of Fashionable Women in the capital city testifies to the fact that Belgrade was a center of fashion in the 1930s. Lavish women's hats were not only a fashion accessory but also a symbol of prestige and extravagance, and hat salons were places frequented only by distinguished ladies of the capital. The president of this association was Mrs. Sofija Senator, and her "office" was located in the main street of pre-war Belgrade, at Kralja Milana 34, in the building that now houses the Nolit bookstore.

Association of Newspaper Vendors

News peddlers or street newspaper vendors were the people whose loud voices first announced the news from domestic and international press. This popular profession deserved its association, which was located in the then Žorž Klemansoa Street 42 (now Svetogorska Street). The president of this association in the 1930s was Radojica Todorović.

Central Association of Women Musicians

In the context of opposing traditional "machismo," the Association of Women Musicians was established, comprising accordionists, violinists, and singers. Their president was Mrs. Draga Popara, and the association's headquarters were located at Kralja Milana Street, number 60, in the vicinity of Manjež Park and Slavija Square.

Hackney-Cabmen Association

What would be the Association of Taxi Drivers of Belgrade today was, almost a century ago, the Hackney-Cabmen Association. At a time when the number of cars on the streets of Belgrade might have been in the single digits, horse-drawn carriages and hansom cabs, alongside trams, were the main means of transportation for the citizens of Belgrade. This esteemed association was located at Kralja Aleksandra Street 67, near the present-day Faculty of Law. Its president was Mr. Milan Marjanović.