RITAM SRBIJE / RHYTHM OF SERBIA
America, the exhibition also includes herbs that grow in- digenously in our area, such as thyme, sage, lemon balm, mint, oregano, horseradish, juniper, aniseed and fennel. This exhibition also presents some herbs and spices (rose- mary, capers, curry plant, lavender and bay laurel) that grow autochthonously on the territory of the Balkan Pen- insula, i.e. the Mediterranean, says Buzurović, before re- minding us just how strong an influence herbs and spic- es have had on human existence throughout history. “Spices used to be very expensive and available ex- clusively to the elites, i.e. to the wealthy classes, who would use them to demonstrate their power and supe- riority. A country that had a monopoly on spices was the richest in both economic and political terms. In the past, spices were also a common means of payment, as they (primarily pepper) were used to pay rents and tax- es, but also some bridge tolls. Pepper was worth more than money during some periods. I will allow myself to state that everything revolved around spices in the past,” notes our interviewee. But herbs and spices also had a different symbol- ism. Laurel branches signified the highest honour, which is why laurel wreaths were presented to winners at the Olympic Games and placed on their heads as a sign of admiration. Tradition also has it that rosemary helped Queen Elizabeth of Hungary heal from arthritis and mar- ry in her old age. She ordered that all her wedding guests be decorated with sprigs of rosemary. And this custom has been maintained to this day. The immortelle curry plant was believed to possess apotropaic powers, which is why brides wore it on their wedding day... “The frenzy for spices in previous times led to them becoming a commodity with consequences that were
capital punishment for smuggling it. I would definite- ly single out pepper as the most popular spice, as it has conquered every region of our planet and data on its use can be traced back to 6,000 BC. It is the most common- ly used spice, but vanilla is the “most joyful spice”. That is firstly because it is added to many sweets that release endorphins (the happiness hormone) when consumed and thus bring us joy and pleasure,” concludes Buzurović. And all that remains is for you to head to Belgrade’s most beautiful park and fortress when you arrive in the city this June, and to walk through Kalemegdan allowing the aroma to lead you to the Gallery of the Natural Histo- ry Museum, where you can enjoy this unusual exhibition.
dramatic and unexpected. Christo- pher Columbus embarked on his leg- endary voyage to India, China and the Maluku Islands (Indonesia) in search of spices, but he took a wrong turn and bumped into an unknown con- tinent, i.e., today’s America. His ex- pedition nonetheless proved fruitful, because he brought back paprika, chili and cocoa, or chocolate, from Ameri- ca to Europe,” emphasises this exhi- bition’s author and curator. He has prepared answers to ques- tions about which spices are the most powerful and most popular, which bring comfort and which cause joy etc. “The top spot, as the most power- ful spice, is certainly occupied by saf- fron. It has been, and remains, the world’s most expensive spice and can cost up to 30,000 dollars per kilogram. Due to its high price, there have often been attempts to smuggle it and cre- ate fake versions, so some past laws (such as the Spanish one) stipulated
76 | Beograd » Belgrade
Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator