Before discussing the obnova (restoration), we must understand the original. The archetype of "Babica v Supergah" first appeared in Slovenian visual culture during the late socialist era of the 1980s. Unlike the stiff, formal portraits of partisans or industrial workers, this image was tender, humorous, and relatable. She was depicted as a wrinkled, smiling elderly woman wearing a floral dress — and on her feet, a pair of pristine white superge (sneakers).
Art historians believe the original public artwork was created by an unknown muralist in the Šiška district of Ljubljana. The sneakers symbolized freedom, youth, and the quiet rebellion of a generation of grandmothers who refused to slow down. They walked to the market, danced at weddings, and chased grandchildren — all in athletic shoes.
Over time, the mural faded, was graffitied over, and eventually painted white during a "beautification" project in the early 2000s. For nearly two decades, the original was lost — but not forgotten. babica v supergah obnova
Using high-resolution scans of old photographs and interviews with neighbors who remembered the original mural, the team digitally mapped the lost artwork. They discovered the original grandmother had a small dog peeking from her shopping bag — a detail omitted in earlier recollections.
"Babica v supergah obnova" is ultimately a project of cultural resilience. It is an effort to say that the practical, humble values embodied by that grandmother figure still matter. The restoration of this phenomenon is not without tension
Whether through the physical renovation of the Jelen factory spaces in Žiri, the curation of shoemaking history, or the retelling of family stories, the restoration process keeps a vital piece of Slovenian identity alive. It serves as a reminder that progress does not require erasing the footprints of the past—footsteps often made in sturdy, canvas Supergas.
The restoration of this phenomenon is not without tension. walking to the market
To understand the restoration, one must first understand the subject. In the Slovenian consciousness, "Babica v supergah" is not necessarily a specific historical monument, but rather an archetype. It represents the sturdy, practical matriarch who wore Superga shoes—specifically the classic canvas models with rubber soles produced under license in Žiri—while working in the garden, walking to the market, or caring for grandchildren.
The Superga brand, produced by the Jelen factory, was a symbol of quality and accessibility in former Yugoslavia and independent Slovenia. The "Babica" figure represents an intersection of durability, modesty, and comfort. However, as the industrial era faded and globalized fashion took over, both the factory’s dominance and this specific archetype began to fade into obsolescence.
The previous Babica lift had been in operation for several decades and was nearing the end of its technical lifespan.