In Central Bosnia lies the small town of Kreševo, which has inherited a rich blacksmithing tradition dating back to the time of the Bosnian Kingdom. The art of blacksmithing was passed down from generation to generation, and a special tradition was egg shoeing. According to legend, a hardworking but poor blacksmith fell in love with the daughter of a wealthy nobleman. He proposed to her, but her father set an almost impossible condition for winning her hand. He asked the suitor to shoe an egg. The blacksmith fulfilled the task, displayed the shod egg in the window of his house, and won the hand of his beloved girl. After that, no young blacksmith in Kreševo could marry if he did not know how to shoe an egg, thereby proving his ability to provide for his family.
Today, the shod egg is a permanent symbol of Kreševo and a valuable souvenir known throughout the world. The horseshoe is made of lead and attached with small nails to the shell of an egg that has been carefully blown out and preserved. The egg is then coloured using various techniques and decorated with different motifs. The tradition of egg shoeing in Kreševo is still practiced by several skilled and creative individuals. Within the Croatian Cultural Society "Napredak" in Kreševo, a section called "Guardians of the Kreševo Tradition of Egg Shoeing" operates with the aim of preserving this unique craft. (Željka Šaravanja)
Croatian post Ltd. Mostar issued a definitive postage stamp in a sheet of stamps, a postmark and first day cover (FDC). The stamps and accompanying materials can be purchased at HP Mostar post offices and online at www.epostshop.ba
