VIRTUAL REALITY, EDUCATION, AND A NEW REGISTER FOR HERITAGE PRESERVATION

The preservation of cultural and historical heritage in Republika Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina has received a significant boost through the project “Protection of Cultural Heritage in Bosnia and Herzegovina through the Support of Civil Society Organization Networks – PCH Program,” which has delivered notable results in the fields of education, digitalization, and legislative improvement.

PHOTO: Mreže za zaštitu kulturnog nasljeđa Republike Srpske "Nasljeđe"

The project, funded by the European Union and implemented by the citizens’ association “Nešto Više” in partnership with the Association for the Promotion and Popularization of Literature “Imperativ,” is aimed at strengthening the capacities of civil society organizations and creating conditions for more effective heritage protection.

As part of the project, training sessions were organized for around 100 representatives of civil society organizations in the areas of public advocacy, fundraising, and cultural heritage promotion. Initiatives were also launched to improve legislative frameworks in Republika Srpska, the Brčko District, and the Central Bosnia Canton, while work has begun on a new version of the Cultural Heritage Register of Republika Srpska.

Digitalization of Cultural Tourism

A particularly important contribution has been made to the digitalization of cultural tourism through the development of virtual reality content for the Derbent Fortress in Derventa, the Travnik Fortress in Travnik, and the Royal Town of Bobovac in Vareš. These innovations will enable visitors to explore historical sites and their significance in a modern and interactive way.

Support for Local Initiatives

The results of the grant program were also presented. Through this support, the Center for the Development and Restoration of the Village of Kruševo Brdo is working on establishing a local heritage museum and documenting cultural heritage in the areas of Kruševo Brdo, Šiprage, and Imljani. At the same time, the citizens’ association “Kozica” is conducting archaeological research and conserving discovered materials at the Gornja Kozica site.

Assembly of the “Nasljeđe” Network Held

The project results were presented at the Assembly of the Republika Srpska Cultural Heritage Protection Network “Nasljeđe,” held in Banja Luka. The network currently brings together 19 civil society organizations dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and sustainable valorization of cultural and historical heritage.

The President of the “Nasljeđe” Network, Nemanja Knežević, emphasized that the establishment and development of the network represent an important step toward a more systematic approach to heritage protection and a stronger role for civil society in this process.

“Through the joint efforts of organizations, local communities, and institutions, we are creating the foundations for the long-term and sustainable protection of cultural heritage, which represents an important part of the identity and development of our communities,” Knežević stated.