Tag: A Look at the Serbian Parliament

The Appearance of the Skoupshtina

The Skoupshtina, Serbia’s Parliament, is quite plain and unremarkable. It is built from lath and plaster, and its walls are covered in whitewash. In front and on the sides of the building, there are lime trees. Under these trees, Serbian men gather, each dressed in different styles. Town men often wear clothes that look like those in Western Europe, while men from the countryside sport brown homespun jackets and bright, floral shirts. Their trousers are tight-fitting and made from the same rough material, and many wear simple sandals made by hand.

Others are dressed in loose white clothing, with trousers that appear to have shrunk in the wash and shirts that hang down to their knees. It often seems as if these men have forgotten to tuck in their shirts. Despite their varied outfits, almost everyone can be seen smoking cigarettes, creating a relaxed atmosphere around the Parliament Scenes from