On 12 September 2007, the closing ceremony of the “Programme for the on-going protection, presentation and integration of the cultural, historical and natural heritage into tourism sector of Herzegovina Region” was held in Blagaj.
The aim of the programme was to contribute to the development of tourism by promoting and preserving the cultural, historical and natural heritage.
The most visible project activities consisted of installing 159 notice boards at 133 historic sites providing basic historical information; clearing overgrowth from 19 national monument sites; installing benches and waste bins at 37 national monument sites; as well as promotional material, including maps and CDs.
The EU provided 88.33% of the funds for this project, or 197,390 Euro with the remainder contributed by the Commission to Preserve National Monuments, which implemented it.
The event started with a walking tour of the national monuments in Blagaj, which is unique for its collection of heritage sites from different periods. The eldest member of the family welcomed the visitors to the “Velagic” complex of traditional Bosnian houses. Other sites include Sultan Sulejman mosque, built in 1520; “Karadjoz-beg” bridge, also from the 16th century; as well as the old baths (hamam).
Mrs. Amra Hadzimuhamedovic, Chairwoman of the Commission to Preserve National Monuments and the Project Manager, stressed that this is the first such project implemented by a BiH State institution with EU funds. It was a challenging project which has raised awareness on the importance of presenting and preserving national heritage. She mentioned that children in the region now regularly stop to read with interest about buildings they have walked past all their life.
Mr. Marc Vanbrabant, Head of Contracts and Finance in the Delegation of the European Commission to BiH, expressed his pleasure to be in Blagaj for this event and congratulated the National Commission for the results achieved. He stressed the efforts – financial and other – which the EU has invested in Regional Economic Development in BiH, which includes this project – over 10 million Euro have been invested to date. He explained that the basic goal of the project is to protect heritage by making it sustainable, which will in turn create opportunities for further economic growth of the tourism sector in the region, thus creating new jobs.
Mr. Ljubo Beslic, Mayor of the city of Mostar, welcomed the assistance received for the project, stating that it demonstrates the importance of cultural identity and the ability to preserve and present national heritage.
