The exhibition ‘A Neolithic Night’s Dream’ by the Museum of Vojvodina and the National Museum of Serbia will present the previously undiscovered data about the prehistory of these areas, which go all the way back to the Neolithic period, as well as the first realistic depiction of prehistoric humans – the inhabitants of Lepenski Vir, which was presented at the World Exhibition ‘Dubai Expo’. The exhibition is organised as part of the Fortress of Peace programme arch of the European Capital of Culture, and it will be available from 15 July at the Museum of Vojvodina.

The fact that the last major exhibition on the Neolithic in our country was organised in 1968 also speaks of the importance of this exhibition. With the discovery of new sites and the modernisation of archaeological research, this will be the first exhibition in Serbia, during the European Capital of Culture title year, which will include new, various segments from this period, which the public has not yet had the opportunity to see.

First and foremost, through exclusive archaeological exhibits and the latest scientific results, this exhibition, whose authors are Lidija Balj, MA, and Andrej Starović will answer the questions about who the people who created the new world in Europe were, where they came from and why they came to the Danube region, as well as what their encounter with the natives was like.

As Balj and Starović point out, the significance of this exhibition is reflected in the development of humanity as we know it today, whereby, the Neolithic period was a turning point. Consequently, this exhibition includes more than a century of fruitful archaeological research.

‘A Neolithic Night’s Dream focuses on the concept of a culture of peace and togetherness, shedding new light on the important processes that took place during the Neolithic period, which fundamentally changed the way of life in Europe, creating its new cultural identity. Through evoking stories about that ancient time, a precious treasury of memories related to the spaces of early Europe is opened, showing its culture, history, traditions, and the complete rich texture of human life and society’, the authors point out. They also add that the scientific part of the exhibition is particularly interesting because it revives one of the inhabitants of Lepenski Vir through the project ‘MetaHuman – Meet Prehistoric Man’. A completely realistic model of the head of the inhabitants of this world-famous archaeological site, from 10,000 years ago, made using the first-rate MetaHuman technology, which is the work of the team of Prof. Sofija Stefanović, PhD, made a lot of heads turn at the ‘Dubai Expo’ World Exhibition.

The exhibition ‘A Neolithic Night’s Dream’ will be available until 15 October. Like all exhibitions at the Museum of Vojvodina, it will also include additional content: expert lectures, workshops for different groups of visitors, with an emphasis on the youngest, and other programmes in which visitors will take part in the exhibition, as opposed to being just the passive observers.

The exhibition was also supported by the national platform Serbia Creates.

The Fortress of Peace programme arch deals with the reflection and critical assessment of war conflicts and their consequences, searching for a culture of peace, and promoting intercultural dialogue and reconciliation. Until 17 July, it will host more than 1,500 artists through almost 150 programmes.

Photo: Archive of the Museum of Vojvodina, Serbia Creates Archive