Bosnia and Herzegovina’s museums, libraries and archives preserve priceless cultural treasures that could rival the collections of many more developed countries. Despite the difficult conditions in which they operate, the employees of these institutions process rare manuscripts, books and archival material every day. However, without the systemic support of the state, the promotion of this rich heritage remains insufficient.
On the shelves of Sarajevo’s libraries there are valuable manuscripts from the legacy of Safvet-bey Bašagić, whose almost entire collection is inscribed on UNESCO’s list of world documentary heritage, and today it is kept in Bratislava.
Bosnia and Herzegovina preserves numerous other extremely valuable manuscripts, among which are the Kunovski record from the 16th century, the rare copy of the Ihja ulumuddin manuscript from 1106, as well as hundreds of other priceless documents that, despite their value, are almost unknown to the general public.
Cultural treasures are preserved in difficult conditions
The archival material of Bosnia and Herzegovina is an irreplaceable source for researchers, scientists and the academic community. However, most of the valuable collections are rarely accessible to the public because cultural institutions have been working for years in difficult financial and organizational conditions.
Lack of professional staff, limited budgets and inadequate working conditions make it difficult not only to preserve but also to present cultural heritage to citizens and the international public.
The National and University Library of BiH and the National Museum of BiH warn that for better promotion and protection of cultural treasures, stronger support from the state is necessary, so that valuable collections are more accessible to the public and better presented in the country and the world.
A special problem is the fact that a significant part of the cultural and historical heritage of Bosnia and Herzegovina is today outside the borders of the country, in museums and libraries around the world. Although we are talking about valuable items that have been brought out of Bosnia and Herzegovina throughout history, the question of their possible return is almost never raised in public.
Cultural workers warn that preserving archival materials is just as important as promoting them, because they represent a testament to the history, identity, and cultural continuity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, BHRT writes.
