BRANE BUILDS SAVAK BOATS AND ART WITH HIS BARE HANDS

In the quiet village of Novo Selo near Gradiška lives Brane Račić, a craftsman whose hands turn raw wood into both robust Sava riverboats and unique pieces of art. His workshop is a space where traditional craftsmanship meets artistic vision—where every piece of wood tells its own story, shaped by years of drying and the precise hands of a master.

PHOTO: Milan Vujić

One of the trademarks of Račić’s work is his creation of unique objects crafted from what he calls “Lamb Poplar” (Jagnjida topola). The process is meticulous and time-consuming, starting with at least two years of natural drying.

“Kiln drying is out of the question,” explains Račić. “Rapid drying would cause cracks and ruin the quality of the wood. It has to dry naturally. I do it in a greenhouse after I finish with the seedlings. Every day, the pieces have to be turned.”

The value of his dedication is recognized by buyers, who are willing to pay up to 120 KM for one-of-a-kind pieces. Though modest, Račić rightly considers his creations works of art.

Beyond carpentry, he is also skilled in woodcarving, using a router to create intricate ornamental details.

“It’s delicate work. You need a steady hand and a sharp eye,” he says. “If you make even a slight mistake—and especially at my age, when eyesight isn’t what it used to be—you have to correct it with finesse so the flaw becomes invisible.”

Sometimes the router slips, leaving a mark, but Račić always finds a way to conceal the damage artistically.

Interestingly, the colors in his pieces come exclusively from the natural hues of the wood, brought to life through careful varnishing. Before that, each item undergoes a long sanding process, moving from coarse to ultra-fine grit.

However, Račić faces a growing challenge—finding high-quality raw wood and keeping up with rising costs.

“There’s less and less wood,” he laments. “What used to cost me 120 marks per cubic meter now goes for 400 euros, according to local foresters.”

Račić is also renowned for crafting traditional Sava riverboats, a vital part of the region’s river heritage.

“I used to make 10 to 15 boats a year,” he recalls. Today, he has oak timber prepared specifically for these sturdy vessels, which he says are far superior to poplar in both strength and longevity.

“A Sava boat made of oak can last up to 30 years with proper care,” Račić claims.

These traditional boats, designed for fishermen, are recognizable by their multi-chambered construction, which provides extra stability on the water. Through his work, Brane Račić not only preserves a craft but keeps a living tradition afloat—one handmade masterpiece at a time.