Hedgehog’s Home – Inventing a Better World
The Hedgehog’s Home – Inventing a Better World project reimagined a beloved children’s poem through co-creation with young children and students, promoting intergenerational dialogue and inclusivity. It sparked reflection on home, community and shared memory across Serbia and beyond.
Branko Ćopić’s poem Hedgehog’s Home held a special place in the childhood memories of generations born in the former Yugoslavia. Seventy years after its publication, this literary work continued to evoke a shared sense of identity and nostalgia. Based on its iconic status and the complex history of its reception, the Museum of Yugoslavia in Belgrade developed a project and exhibition aimed at opening a dialogue around common heritage and its potential to help us rethink identity, home, memory, belonging, xenophobia, mental health, and our relationship with the recent past.
The exhibition consisted of two parts. The first, a fictional and imaginative space, was realised in collaboration with children aged five to ten from Belgrade, Zagreb and Sarajevo, and scenography students from the University of Belgrade. By cross-referencing the results of the children’s workshops and research outcomes, the concept was developed by an interdisciplinary creative team – including artists, educators, psychologists and other professionals – using a co-design methodology. The result was an interactive exhibition that offered a kinesthetic experience, stimulated imagination and memory, and allowed each visitor to create their own intimate interpretation. Through the story of the hedgehog who insists on the value of his modest forest home, the exhibition reminded visitors of the importance of protecting what is theirs – not only physically, but emotionally and symbolically.
The second part of the exhibition took a documentary approach, focusing on the life and work of Branko Ćopić (1915-1984) and the changing public perception of his legacy. The exhibition explored how literature, memory and biography are intertwined with broader social narratives.
Over the course of the project, more than 100 creative workshops were organised in cities across Serbia. Children of various ages participated in these activities, guided by museum staff, artists and psychotherapists. Mental health was a key theme throughout, addressed through emotional literacy and the sharing of personal stories related to home and identity.
The entire exhibition was made accessible in Serbian Sign Language, developed in partnership with members of the local deaf community. A theatrical video performance was also created and later incorporated into the school curriculum for deaf pupils in Serbia.
The exhibition was extended twice due to strong public interest and attracted more than 150,000 visitors. A wide programme of public events accompanied the exhibition, including school visits, readings, guided tours, discussions, printed materials and social media campaigns.
The project demonstrated how shared cultural references can foster dialogue and reflection across generations and borders, highlighting its significance within the broader European context.
“An emotionally powerful and inclusive museum project that focuses on storytelling, intangible heritage, and the safeguarding of shared cultural narratives. Intergenerational dialogue is at the core of the Hedgehog’s Home – Inventing a Better World project, engaging children and other visitors through a hands-on experience,” the Awards’ Jury observed.
“A subversive initiative that awakens shared regional memory while promoting European values,” the Jury added.
Contact: Sara Sopić | Museum of Yugoslavia | sara.sopic@mij.rs | www.muzej-jugoslavije.org