Vuk's Assembly in Tršić | Tourist Calendar of Serbia

The manifestation dedicated to the reformer of the Serbian language, Vuk Stefanović Karadžić, takes place every year in late September in his birthplace of Tršić, near Loznica. The entire open-air museum is dedicated to this Serbian historical figure, and it is the largest event of its kind in this region.

The goal of Vuk's Assembly is to preserve the language and national heritage, nurture memories, and encourage the development of literature and folk creativity.

Vuk was born in this place in 1787, after his family had previously moved from Durmitor. As he himself recorded, his birth house was burnt down by the Ottomans ten times. After his death, the locals planted a wooden cross on the former hearth as a memory of the great man who once lived there. It is precisely on that spot that the memorial house of Vuk Karadžić was renovated, where the cross is still preserved.

During the interwar period, funds were collected, with the greatest contribution coming from students, to restore Vuk Karadžić's birth house in 1933. It was also the first open-air museum in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia. That same year, the first Vuk's Assembly was held, a unique event that has been continuously taking place since then, with the exception of war years.

The complex represents the way of life of late 19th-century peasants and the life and work of Vuk Karadžić, with all the buildings that once constituted a traditional Serbian household. It is composed of houses, barns, a dairy, a granary, a watermill, a church, and a warehouse, authentic structures brought from surrounding villages. Therefore, everything necessary for a complete experience of that time and region.

Today, these buildings house the Language and Script Museum, the Writers' House, the Exhibition of Vuk's Assemblies, the Vuk and Science exhibition, the Workshop of Old Crafts, the wooden church of Saint Archangel Michael, Vuk's memorial house with its courtyard, guest apartments, and a souvenir shop.

The program has changed over the decades and in recent years includes speeches, performances, cultural and artistic society shows, book promotions, thematic exhibitions, literary and film evenings.

Distinguished writers, musicians, painters, and other artists inspired by folk creativity are guests at the pre-Assembly festivities. The closing ceremony begins on the Sunday before Mala Gospojina with the performance of Vuk's Hymn composed by Stevan Mokranjac. During the week of the event, between 20,000 and 30,000 visitors gather in Tršić.

A few decades younger is the Student Vuk's Assembly held at the end of May, dedicated to students and their creativity. Its aim is to bring tradition closer to them and familiarize children with their native language through numerous educational programs and workshops.

Vuk's Assembly is organized by the Vuk Karadžić Cultural Center in Loznica, where it takes place. Despite the coronavirus epidemic, the Assembly was even held in 2020.

The 90th Vuk's Assembly is scheduled to take place from September 11th to 17th this year, and more information can be obtained on the official website of the organizer.