To Whom It May Concern,
On behalf of the network of Institutes for Culture of the EU Member States (EUNIC) in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), we are hereby presenting this open call to urge you to initiate an imminent action aiming to the immediate re-opening of Zemaljski Muzej (the National Museum) of BiH.
The National Museum of BiH is of critical significance for all ethnic groups and all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It presents and preserves cultural heritage not only of BiH and the Balkans but also of the entire Europe. Its closure is contrary to what we as the network represent: promotion of cultural diversity of Europe, including the rich variety of its languages, arts and heritage. The closure of the cultural institution of this significance deprives young people of this country, as well as local and international students and researchers, of an opportunity to learn and advance their knowledge. At the same time, it prevents numerous local and international visitors from discovering the wealth of cultural heritage of all people of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The closure of the National Museum of BiH for an unacceptable period of time sends a message of disinterest, exclusion and neglect which needs to be changed. In that context, we are urging you to consider the immediate steps that would lead to imminent opening of this institution.
While we understand the complexities of the resolution of the status of all cultural institutions in BiH, we are hereby also responding to the calls to action already made by the citizens, academia, cultural actors and institutions both nationally and internationally who all demand reopening of the National Museum. Doing so will demonstrate your commitment to citizens’ rights to education, culture and access to cultural heritage.
On this note we look forward to continuing our engagement with the cultural institutions and people of Bosnia and Herzegovina in our mission to promote European values for the benefit of all people of BiH and of Europe.
Larisa Halilovic, President EUNIC Bosnia and Herzegovina and Director British Council Bosnia and Herzegovina
Ignacio Vitórica Hamilton, Vice-President EUNIC and Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Spain,
Donato Giuliani, Director, French Institute / André Malraux Centre
Sébastien Plot, Director, Department of French, French Institute / André Malraux Centre
Jens Wagner, First Secretary, Culture, Press and Protocol, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany
Charlotte Hermelink, Director, Goethe Institute in Bosnia-Herzegovina
Lucas Bachmayer, konzul i ataše za kulturu, Ambasada Austrije
Ilaria Ragnoni, Second Secretary, Embassy of Italy,
Anikó Gyenge, Cultural Attaché, Embassy of Hungary
Mak Kapetanović, Communications, Politics and Culture, Royal Netherlands Embassy
Slavomir Goga, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of the Czech Republic.