Safeguarding the Dobrota Lace Tradition – Pacijenca Project
When the “Pacijenca” initiative began in 2021, Dobrota lace-making was close to extinction. The Ministry of Culture of Montenegro had officially identified one guardian, born in 1937, as the last recognised custodian of the craft. For centuries, lace from Dobrota had formed part of domestic, religious and maritime life in the Bay of Kotor. It testified to generations of women’s creativity and craftsmanship. Yet by the early 21st century it survived only in private collections and church treasuries.
The Museums of Kotor initiated a programme that combined historical research with hands-on training. Embroidery in the area dates back to the 14th century, and by the 16th century Dobrota lace had developed as a local interpretation of Venetian “punto in aria”. Dobrota lace was used for ritual headscarves, widow’s hoods, altar cloths and wedding veils. Examples are preserved in churches, such as St. Eustachius in Dobrota, and in family heirlooms connected to the region’s seafaring communities.
Workshops began in 2022 under the guidance of the recognised guardian and museum professionals. Over the following three years, more than 50 women of different ages completed training. The sessions were free-of-charge and open to residents of Kotor and surrounding areas. School groups were invited to observe and participate. For many pupils it was a first encounter with needle lace.
The name “Pacijenca” means “patience” and refers both to the slow precision of lace-making and to the endurance associated with the maritime culture of the region. The project promotes patience as both a human and cultural value in an age of digital haste. Public installations in Kotor’s squares, where vertical lace displays were accompanied by live embroidery sessions, made the revival visible in the city. Hundreds of visitors attended these events each year. Participants also represented Montenegro at lace festivals in Croatia, reconnecting the craft with the wider Adriatic tradition.
The Museum of Kotor developed a line of lace-based souvenirs inspired by historical motifs. These products received recognition as leading cultural souvenirs in the Balkans and generate income that supports further training. The project safeguards skills, provides income for women and renews pride in a local tradition.
Over the last three years the project operated with a total budget of approximately €15,000, primarily funded by the Museums of Kotor with a small contribution from the Ministry of Culture.
The Awards’ Jury stated: “The “Pacijenca” project transformed a domestic craft into a shared cultural event that strengthens community life while supporting the economic empowerment of women. Through lace-making, it promotes patience as a social and cultural value, safeguards a fragile element of intangible heritage, and connects a small local tradition with wider audiences.”
Contact: Dušica Ivetić | Municipal Public Institution Museums of Kotor | info@muzejikotor.me | www.muzejikotor.me