Introduction: More Than Just Sneakers In the world of urban art and cultural heritage, few images resonate as deeply with Slovenian nostalgia as the enigmatic "Babica v Supergah" (Grandmother in Sneakers). Whether you remember her from a faded 1980s mural on a Ljubljana block, a viral photograph circulating on social media, or a local legend passed down through generations, the symbol represents a powerful collision: tradition meeting modernity. Over the last decade, babica v supergah obnova (the restoration of the grandmother in sneakers) has become a rallying cry for preservationists, artists, and local historians. This article dives deep into why this restoration project matters, the challenges faced, and how a seemingly small piece of folk-pop art became a national movement. The Origins: Who Was the "Babica v Supergah"? 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).
The has since spawned an annual street festival called Superga Fest , featuring a "Best Grandmother Sneaker" contest, live mural painting, and talks on urban heritage. Local businesses now sell "Babica v Supergah" tote bags, socks, and — naturally — custom sneakers. Lessons for Other Cities: Why This Restoration Matters Abroad While this story is uniquely Slovenian, the obnova model offers lessons globally. From fading Lenin statues in Eastern Europe to neglected community murals in Brooklyn, the question is always the same: What do we restore, and what do we replace? babica v supergah obnova
In 2021, the Municipality of Ljubljana announced a public competition for the of the iconic figure. The keyword "obnova" took on dual meaning: restoring the original physical artwork, and restoring the dignity of elderly women in contemporary public art. The Restoration Process: Step by Step The actual babica v supergah obnova project began in April 2022, led by conservator Dr. Alenka Kramer and street artist Gojko Zupan (known as "Gogi"). Here is how they approached the monumental task: 1. Historical Research and Imaging 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. 2. Surface Preparation The wall on Tržaška cesta had been repainted at least seven times. Layers of white latex, gray primer, and even an advertisement for a telecom company had to be carefully removed using chemical poultices and low-pressure steam cleaning. This delicate phase took eight weeks. 3. Color Matching The original artist used low-quality acrylics that had faded to sepia tones. The restoration team decided not to over-correct. Instead, they used period-appropriate pigments mixed with modern UV-resistant binders. The result is a "renewed vintage" look — crisp enough to read from across the street, but softly aged to honor history. 4. Re-painting the Superge The most debated element was the sneakers. Original photos showed them as generic white plimsolls. During restoration, local sneaker brand Alpina donated exact replicas of a 1987 model. The team used these as physical references to paint shadows, creases, and even the iconic green Alpina logo on the tongue. This level of detail makes the new mural a historical document in itself. 5. Protective Coating To ensure the restored grandmother lasts another 40 years, a sacrificial anti-graffiti coating was applied. Ironically, the first test of this coating came within a week, when a tagger tried to mark her face — the paint wiped clean with solvent, leaving Babica smiling. Community Reaction: Tears, Selfies, and a Festival When the scaffolding came down on June 15, 2023, an estimated 500 people gathered for the official unveiling. Elderly women in their best sneakers — many wearing their own superge — walked arm-in-arm with grandchildren to see the restored icon. One 87-year-old attendee, Mira from Koper, was filmed crying and laughing simultaneously. "That's me," she said. "That's every one of us." Introduction: More Than Just Sneakers In the world
The call for was not merely about paint and plaster. It was about intergenerational memory. The grandmother in sneakers represented a specific Slovenian identity — resilient, unpretentious, and quietly cool. Local council members initially dismissed the idea, citing budget constraints. But a grassroots campaign changed their minds. This article dives deep into why this restoration
So if you ever find yourself walking down Tržaška cesta, stop for a moment. Look at her weathered face, her fresh white superge, and the tiny dog peeking from her bag. She is not a masterpiece of fine art. But she is ours. And thanks to the restoration, she will be here for generations to come — walking into the future, one step in her sneakers at a time. Do you have a memory of the original Babica v Supergah? Share your photos and stories using the hashtag #BabicaObnova. The restoration team continues to archive oral histories for a 2025 documentary.
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.