I'm think that multiplicity and syncretism is wonderful.
Going to Bosnia and Herzegovina, most people have on mind Yugoslavian War. The remember of this times is still living in us. It’s doesn’t matter that I had then only few years, I’m still remember tv photage from Ulica Zmaja od Bosne (Dragon of Bosnia Street), wider known as Sniper Alley, with burning government building.
Everyone remember the rough time of the war, but many people don’t know that in history people of this region live together in peace, shared their dreams, fears and ideas, live in dialog ongoing hundred of years, and making beautiful mosaic of thoughts, symbols and meanings. Making culture based on diversity.
Only few people remember that in other time in this place churches was going to looks like mosque and mosque like churches. What I'm want to say is that three tradition occur here on relative small area, and dialogue was inevitably. Where is healthy dialog always is going something wonderful. As an example, I'll take only the material culture , but the phenomenon of synkretism can also be seen in music and surely in the works of literature and on field of ideas.
First example I saw in Banja Luka It was beautiful orthodox Cathedral of Christ the Savior. Friend who were there with me think in the beginning that is a mosque. The most interesting details are floral ornaments wrapped around entire building. Also Interesting were vivid colors of the façade.
The second one was Despić House,it's an old merchant house in Sarajevo, that was established in 1881, interiors are ideal mix of byzantine, west, and Muslim cultures. It’s hard to describe that impression in words, but this kind of experience awakens in my feeling of harmony. Turkish carpets, small benches, ornate silver dishes, typical western chairs and orthodox icons on the walls create a perfect wholeness.
The third example are towers with clocks usually founded in European cities near or belonging to catholic churches here belonging to mosques. One of them we can see in 16th century Sarajevan Ghazi Khusraw-Bey Mosque.
All that heterogeneity we can see getting from the top one of the hills surrounding Sarajevo. When you standing on one of the city walls builded in period of the Ottoman empire, you can understand this perfect…
It’s about 6 a clock p.m. I’m stand on one of the city walls, under me city rapidly climbs on slopes of nearby hills. I’m see it slightly misted with river meandering below, far a way is looming, government building from the snipers alley. From the landscape stands out 18thcentury city hall and plenty towers of minarets and Christian churches. Air is refreshing, evening is gently windy. It’s about 6 a clock p.m at Saturday and the Muezzins start preying. Effect it’s amazing. It’s look like the dozens of towers carry on the dialogue, after a while I’ll hear the bells joining to this great composition glorifying God.
Sounds of Pray : http://youtu.be/ZyGLiHvBeYY
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