Valjevo Walker: MOSAIC

-by Ljiljana Ljiljak, Valjevo Walker, Kolubara March 1995

Translated by Stefan Radovanović

It’s been eight years since the mosaic, which shows the Execution of Serbian Headmen, was removed from the bevelled corner wall of the Grand Hotel. The large facade slab with the mosaic was taken into the basement of the Jablanica company headquarters. It was said those days: only temporarily. It was mentioned then, in the days and years of great town renovation and rediscovery, that the mosaic should be placed on the First Uprising Quay, at the imaginary exit from „the wooden bridge“, because there it would most naturally testify to that significant event and place.

Then there came different times and different ideas how the town should mark the execution of Serbian Headmen.

The mosaic was placed on the bevelled corner wall of the Grand Hotel during the first major reconstruction in 1960. The town was preparing to salute the unveiling of the Monument to Revolution Fighters on Vidrak hill, so it was considered proper to refurbish the lodging for the guests, high-ranking and respected persons. Someone came up then with a good idea that the town must also pay respect to that first, historically fateful act.

The author of that mosaic, removed and hidden from the public eye for a long time, is Ljubodrag Jankovic Jale, the artist who has made another permanent piece of art for this town – the painting of Valjevo through its six centuries of existence.