Mother’s Tale in the heart of Zagreb

As of recently, the tourism offer of Zagreb boasts yet another attractive proposition with elements of originality and tradition; the Croatian Ethno House “Mother’s Tale” in the city centre. Apart from exhibitions, it also organizes arts and crafts workshops.

As of recently, the Croatian Ethno House, “Mother’s Tale”, has been opened to visitors in the heart of Zagreb, in the vicinity of Flower Square. The 200-square-metre shop located in an attractive part of the city, on the corner of Preradovićeva Street and the Street of Ante Kovačić is an offshoot of the non-profit project Petra’s Knitters, an association whose 350 members have been producing original handicrafts and souvenirs for the last twenty years in order to promote the traditional crafts of Croatia in the country as well as abroad.

With its décor and style, the space emulates the way people used to live over a hundred years ago. The setup is based on an ethno collection of household items from various parts of Croatia, as well as several smaller areas conjuring up the feel of yesteryear craftsmen’s workshops. The pride of place in the shop-come-exhibition space, which was named “Mother’s Tale” in dedication to all those women who have nurtured old textile making customs and skills and who have passed those skills down generations, belongs to the ethnical heritage of Zagreb and the its surroundings.

The existing ethno collection consists of numerous old, authentic, everyday items that were used in rural households in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Among the more important items on display is an old loom for weaving linen that was used for making clothes, curtains and rugs, as well as formal gowns. Among the exhibits is an old stone mill used for hand milling wheat, and a traditional foot powered potter’s wheel for making clay dishes. Visitors will be equally captivated by the setup of a furnished room from the year 1895, the likes of which citizens of Zagreb once lived in.

In the “Mother’s Tale”, visitors can attend workshops and demonstrations on traditional hand weaving, embroidery, knitting, how to make the famous lace of Lepoglava, traditional jewellery, licitar hearts, clay pottery and original souvenirs. The space within the Croatian Ethno House is also a venue for various exhibitions, lectures, interregional and international cooperation projects and exchanges.

The Croatian Ethno House, “Mother’s Tale”, was opened in early December of last year, and as of spring this year it will be opened for viewing throughout the day. Entrance is free of charge.