At a ceremonial event, in the shadow of the Old Bridge, the perfume “Stone Embrace”, inspired by that symbol of Mostar, was presented on Friday.
At the presentation, it was emphasized that for the first time, a European city and its heritage have been symbolically represented through a perfume into which the essence of Mostar has been woven.
According to Madzida Drljevic, the person whose idea was to create a perfume inspired by the Old Bridge, in its scent one can feel the spring breeze from the Neretva, the freshness of the water, a little citrus, heated Herzegovinian stone and a mineral note enriched with fig leaf and rose, along with amber and a drop of olive tree.
“It all started when I smelled the perfume ‘Scent of Jerusalem’ and thought why shouldn’t Mostar have its own perfume? Both of these cities preserve bridges, one towards the sky, the other across the river, and both are beacons of the meeting of cultures. That is how this unique bridge of scents was created, a bridge between Mostar and Jerusalem, between East and West, between memory and hope,” said Drljevic.
She added that on Friday, we witnessed a historic moment when for the first time a world cultural and historical icon under UNESCO protection was perfumed, enriched with an authentic perfume dedicated to it.
“The Old Bridge has never been just a structure. In it are the whispers of our ancestors, the laughter of children, the reflection of the moonlight in the Neretva, and the pulse of every citizen of Mostar, especially those in the diaspora who miss this stone elegy. That is why we came up with something they can carry with them. Not a photograph, not a souvenir, but a whiff that opens the heart faster than words,” she said.
The golden sponsor and partner in this project, Louaai Tomalieh, creator of the luxury brand Tomavicci, emphasized that the perfume “Stone Embrace” is deeply inspired by the stunning Old Bridge.
“While drawing inspiration from the Old Bridge, we have woven into our scent elements that reflect its magnificent grace and the rich history that surrounds it. The top notes evoke the fresh, invigorating air that envelops the bridge, while the heart notes convey the warmth of the stone bathed in sunlight and the lively spirit of the river below. Finally, the base notes embody the strength and endurance of the bridge itself – a reminder of our connection to nature, history, and to each other,” said Tomalieh.
According to him, every drop of this fragrance is an invitation to embrace beauty, nurture connections and celebrate the journey of life.
Cantonal Minister of Trade, Tourism, and Environmental Protection Emil Balavac said that the Government and the Tourist Board of Herzegovina-Neretva Canton (HNC) will support these and similar projects.
“This is just a small step we have taken this summer in order to promote our Mostar and the Old Bridge. So far, we have had the opportunity to carry images and souvenirs into the world, and from today we can spread the scent of Mostar to all parts of the planet,” said Balavac.
