Don't throw away your old clothes

Nevenka Železnikar, a resident of Tunjic, received a traditional Slovenian costume as a gift for her 50th birthday, sparking her journey into the world of folk dancing. As a retired seamstress, she has gradually taken on the task of creating parts of the national costume herself. Today, her hands produce the first items of this heritage. Her connection with traditional clothing began in childhood, influenced by her mother who instilled a deep respect for history and culture. She recalls the pride she felt when she first wore the national costume at age 15 and continues to feel the same sense of honor today as a member of the Folklore Group Kamnik, where she wears the costume increasingly often during performances and special occasions such as the annual feast of Saint Ana in Tunjic. The joy of passing down this tradition is infectious. Nevenka has inspired her family to embrace the heritage, including her husband, four daughters, son-in-law, and eight grandchildren, who all participated in the parade of traditional costumes and attire inheritance at the Kamnik Days last year. She believes that one either feels the joy of wearing the national costume or does not, and that it is essential to feel a sense of belonging and pride before donning it. For her, preserving and transmitting this legacy to future generations holds immense significance. Among the various components of the national costume, Nevenka particularly enjoys making head coverings, which present the greatest challenge. Her role in this endeavor is substantial. After receiving the national costume as a gift for her 50th birthday, she enrolled in folklore classes and discovered the difficulty of obtaining appropriate costumes for the group. This experience reignited her long-held desire to try her hand at crafting the national costume. Having sewn since she was thirteen, she created her first costume for herself and later made most of her children's clothes while working at Svilanit for 27 years. The time was right, and slowly, stitch by stitch and piece by piece, she began experimenting with creating national costumes, learning and researching extensively. Now, after several years, her hands produce the first items under the guidance of her mentor, Andreja Stržinar, who oversees the entire costume appearance for the group. Her daughter described her mother as a bridge between past and future, noting that Nevenka has been displaying parts of the national costumes she creates at the Tunjic Spring Fair for two consecutive years. These pieces are mostly crafted during long winter evenings. The work requires great precision, involving a lot of manual labor, gathering materials, and sewing. There is no room for hesitation. Winter is the perfect time for Nevenka to work on national costumes, as she is also a beekeeper and bees need their season. Just as bees require their time, each piece of the national costume demands considerable attention. She started by making sleeves for the costume, followed by the peasant outfit, and gradually took on more challenging tasks. Today, she can create an entire women’s national costume, except for the trousers, primarily focusing on the Gorenjska embroidery. Her mentor, Andreja Stržinar, listens attentively to advice from Bojan Knific and constantly seeks knowledge through books. Recently, she acquired an old book on Slovenian patterns published in 1971, which she had been waiting for from an antiquarian. A significant source of inspiration is also the book Pokažem se fantu v pisanem guant. According to Nevenka, nothing surpasses the value of old national costumes, which many fail to appreciate, leading them to end up discarded. She collects everything she receives, emphasizing that these pieces and motifs offer the most valuable lessons. Obtaining materials remains the biggest challenge, yet she persists in her quest to preserve this cultural heritage through her craftsmanship.