“A gift to me from the elders—those extraordinary people, descendants of the generation of singers about whom Milman Parry wrote and spoke—are at the center of my attention and love tonight. They are the ones who have most lifted me up to this recognition,” stated Svetlana Spajić, this year’s recipient of the Heritage Hero Award, for her outstanding contribution to the preservation and promotion of intangible cultural heritage.
“The selection of Svetlana as this year’s laureate emphasizes the EU’s commitment to preserving and celebrating Serbia’s unique cultural heritage as an integral part of our shared European legacy. I know that some fear Serbia’s cultural identity might be lost with Serbia’s entry into the EU. On the contrary, it will continue to live, be preserved, and promoted, and it will become even richer as Serbia advances on its path toward EU integration,” highlighted Plamena Halačeva, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation, adding that, for the third time in a row, the Heritage Hero award has been given to a woman, further confirming the crucial role of women in preserving and promoting heritage.
“It is wonderful to see that this strategic cooperation between the European Union and Europa Nostra Serbia has taken root in Serbia, and that, in these not-so-easy times, this award promotes some very important values,” emphasized Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović, Secretary General of Europa Nostra.
“Svetlana Spajić, a distinguished traditional singer, protector of intangible cultural heritage, and cultural activist, has received this prestigious award both for her longstanding dedication to preserving Serbian and Balkan vocal traditions and for her invaluable contribution to researching, documenting, interpreting, and transmitting these traditions to new generations,” said Dr. Slavica Vujović, President of Europa Nostra Serbia and Chair of the Jury.
Through her tireless work, Svetlana Spajić has shown how an individual can have a significant impact on the preservation and appreciation of cultural heritage, serving as a true role model for future generations. What sets her apart is her unique ability to connect the traditional with the contemporary, linking Serbian cultural heritage to European musical trends. Her work represents a bridge between past and present, local and international. Through collaborations with globally renowned artists, Svetlana successfully promotes Serbian intangible cultural heritage on the global stage.
Spajić played a key role in Marina Abramović’s projects, and in 2011 she was engaged in the theatrical production “The Life and Death of Marina Abramović”, directed by theater director and artist Robert Wilson. She has also participated in numerous musical and theatrical projects with globally acclaimed artists such as Yanka Rupkina, Domna Samiou, and Antony Hegarty. Her performances at prestigious festivals and venues like WOMAD, WOMEX, and the Museum of Modern Art in New York further confirm her artistic and cultural influence.
Through her personal engagement and work with her singing ensemble, Spajić inspires young people to dedicate themselves to traditional singing, demonstrating that cultural heritage is a vital part of our identity and plays a significant role in contemporary society.
Of particular importance is Svetlana Spajić’s successful combination of artistic work with cultural activism, contributing to the promotion of heritage preservation policies in a broader social context. As a result of her work, many forms of musical heritage from Serbia and the region have been permanently preserved and documented.
The decision was made by a jury composed of:
- Dr. Slavica Vujović, President of Europa Nostra Serbia and Chair of the Jury
- Sena Marić, EU Delegation in Serbia
- Dr. Dubravka Preradović, Art Historian, Europa Nostra Serbia
- Anita Mančić, Actress
- Dr. Katarina Živanović, Curator, Europa Nostra Serbia
- Stanka Čoban, Heritage Hero Award Winner 2022
- Viktorija Aladžić, Heritage Hero Award Winner 2023
The Heritage Hero Award was established to recognize and celebrate the individual efforts of citizens in preserving cultural heritage. This initiative was launched by the EU Delegation in Serbia, in partnership with Europa Nostra Serbia.
