Imagine a man who was more than just a scientist – Archibald Reiss, a Swiss forensic expert and naturalist, is being celebrated in Belgrade with an exhibition revealing his unknown sides. Exactly 90 years ago, a man who was one of the greatest friends of the Serbs passed away, and his passion for nature and contribution to the formation of natural history collections at the Natural History Museum in Belgrade are now finally in the spotlight.
Reiss was not just a university professor in Lausanne and a forensic expert who witnessed the horrors of World War I in Serbia. He was a humanist, a nature lover, who personally donated collections of butterflies and birds from the Belgrade area to the museum. His love for nature was not only scientific – he had pets like a white piglet, a fox, and a hedgehog, and often walked in Košutnjak and Ada Ciganlija collecting butterflies.
The exhibition, designed by Slavko Spasić, opened on August 9 at the Natural History Museum, with the Deputy Ambassador of Switzerland to Serbia, Koni Kamenzind, attending and highlighting Reiss’s important role in connecting Serbia and Switzerland.
But Reiss’s story is not just about nature. He was also a witness to the horrors of the occupation of Serbia during World War I, and his book “Listen, Serbs” and the documentary of the same name, part of the exhibition, show his struggle to convey to the world the tragedy Serbia endured.
Although he was a sincere friend of the Serbs, Reiss made enemies among Serbian politicians who saw him as a competitor. His contradictory personality – a warm heart and cold eyes – still intrigues historians.
Today, there are six places of remembrance for Reiss in Serbia, and his heart was transferred to a memorial chapel on Kajmakčalan, the place where he witnessed the Serbian people’s return to their homeland.
This exhibition is not just a reminder of a man who loved Serbia and its nature, but a call to remember how important truth, friendship, and passion for the world around us are. If you thought you knew everything about Archibald Reiss, think again – this is a side that will surprise and move you.
If this story sparked your curiosity, check out the documentary “Listen, Serbs” and share your thoughts about this unusual friend of Serbia. Who knows, maybe you’ll find your inner naturalist too!
