On November 23, the book Osaćani – the legacy of generational experience by the author of the art historian Dragiša Milosavljević was presented in the Gallery of the Museum of the Rudnica-Takov region. The publishers of the monograph are the National Museum of Užice and the Public Institution of NP “Drina” Srebrenica.

The director of the National Museum of Užice, Slavica Stefanović, gave a welcome speech on behalf of the publisher, who thanked the Museum of the Rudnica-Takov Region and the director, Aleksandar Marušić, for the invitation to present this professional monograph in Gornji Milanovac. She also emphasized that Dragiša Milosavljević, as an experienced researcher, made a valuable contribution to the protection of cultural heritage and that by researching cultural and architectural heritage, folk architecture, he has greatly indebted Serbian culture. Radomir Pavlović, director of the Public Institution NP “Drina” Srebrenica, co-publisher of the monograph, also expressed his satisfaction that he is in Gornji Milanovac, and that he is part of this big project, saying that the book Osaćani – the legacy of generational experience shows that the Drina River is not a border, because they are monograph publishers from Užice and Srebrenica. Osat is an area along the Drina, which was an inspiration to many and about which many wrote, for example. Vuk Stefanović Karadžić, Ivo Andrić and many others.

Anđa Bjelić, librarian adviser from the National Library in Užice, also spoke about the book, who specifically referred to the part from the title of the book – HERITAGE OF GENERATION EXPERIENCE – stressing that the basic premise of the survival of a nation is its generational experience. Preserving that heritage is a pledge of survival for future generations – so that they know who we are, what we are and where we come from. Heritage is what is worked on, what is built on and what survives on. A part of that heritage originated from Osat – the region that includes the territory of eastern Bosnia along the Drina, from Skelan to Srebrenica. It is the cradle of a specific area – the activity of Osacan real estate agents. Building and leaving behind objects that will outlive several generations was the meaning of human existence. The construction activity of the people of Osa has been going on for centuries, but it experienced its golden age at the end of the 18th century and throughout the entire 19th century and in the first half of the 20th century. That’s why this book surpasses its title just as the roofs of Osacanki exceed several times its basic height. That is the point – to create – preserve and leave as a legacy, pointed out Anđa Bjelic.

The work ethic of Osać was at a high level. Only the best could practice this craft, who learned from their elders. They adhered to established construction standards, which included quality and a specific style of construction. All this contributed to their good reputation. That good reputation has been real for generations. They respected their word, which for them was an obligation and an imperative. They had no contracts, no witnesses. For them, the word was the law.

Construction, whatever its form, leaves a material, visual, aesthetic and authentic imprint of the time in which it was created. It represents a generational legacy that cannot and must not be forgotten because houses remember everything and never forget anything, that’s why they are never demolished and old habitats are never abandoned, except in case of necessity. The people of Osa built the so-called Osačanka houses, log cabin churches and other sacred buildings. They also invented their own special language, the secret BANJAC language or Dunđer language. It was actually a slang language that had about 300 words and phrases that only the people of Osać used and knew. It is part of their ethnic and cultural uniqueness. They believed that they inherited it from their patron Saint. Tom. Generational non-building in Osat was passed down, the younger ones learned from the older ones, thus continuing the building tradition.

The author Dragiša Milosavljević said that Osać residents are traditional builders, virtuosos, masters in construction and that they largely rebuilt Serbia after the uprisings and wars, so the phrase “Osaćan house” was created after them, which represents a wooden house of a specific shape on stone foundations . Osaćans are also known in these regions, in Šumadija and Gornji Milanovac. They built churches and secular buildings, they were especially popular during the time of Prince Miloš. Prince Miloš himself knew some of them personally and often influenced where they would build. The world of Osać is a wonderful world, which went to Pečalba on the eve of Đurđevdan and returned to Osat on the eve of Mitrovdan. While working on this book, the author pointed out that while traveling around Osat, he had the opportunity to meet many generational contemporaries of builders from Osat, together with Radomir Pavlović.

Dragiša Milosavljević spent his working life in scientific research work, he is part of many projects financed by the Ministry of Culture, and the most significant project is the Revitalization of the Uvac Monastery, he is also the author of numerous scientific works and books: The log cabin church in Dub, Osaćanski neimari, Monastery Uvac, The Lost Treasury of the Mileševe Monastery, The Lazovici Painters and Their Era, The Old Church in Užice….