A story of the traditional bag

An exhibition named /Those who carry do not beg! With a bag across Croatia/ is dedicated to traditional bags and their significance in the Croatian culture since the last quarter of the 19th century until today. The exhibition at the Ethnographic Museum will remain open until the end of April of next year.

An exhibition at the Ethnographic Museum, named “Those who carry do not bag! With a bag across Croatia” will be open to the public until April 30th 2011.

Everyone wears one nowadays: from children to adults, men and women… it could be a school-bag, a handbag, a travel-bag, computer bag, camera bag, shopping bag, dinner bag, or beach bag. It speaks volumes of its owner with its look, size, colour, and price, which is why it can even be regarded as a status symbol, while its contents hide numerous secrets and surprises.

The bag, as an item, has had a significant practical, as well as symbolic, place in the everyday lives of humans throughout history. The exhibition is largely dedicated to traditional bags and their significance in Croatian culture since the last quarter of the 19th century until today.

The exhibits have been divided into different sections: a Short History of the Bag; Traditional Bags across Croatia; Male Bag – Female Bag; Traditional School Bags and some Old Pupils; Bags in Rural Economy; the Role of the Bag in Beliefs and Customs; Ornamentalism and Symbolism; Tradition and Fashion. Along with items from the diverse collection of the Ethnographic Museum, parts of the exhibits that make up this exhibition have been borrowed from other museums and private collections.