Cormack: We secured 1.1 million KM for the renovation of the Museum, and experts from the Smithsonian are coming

The ceremonial reopening of the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which had been closed for nearly three full years, was attended by numerous public figures, with the first addresses given by the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina Denis Zvizdić, U.S. Ambassador Maureen Cormack, and the Minister of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina Adil Osmanović, reports the Bosnian news agency Patria.

Chairman Zvizdić said he thanked all those who contributed to the reopening of the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

- Special mention should be made of the role of the employees, the true custodians, without whose love this reopening would not have been possible. The National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the national asset of all citizens, representing a common good - said Zvizdić.

He also noted that the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina made a decision ensuring the security of its functioning for a period.

U.S. Ambassador Cormack congratulated the opening of the Museum and said this is a happy day for all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as for children and new generations who will have the opportunity to enter the Museum and see all its wealth.

- I am happy to announce two things. The first is that through the Cultural Heritage Preservation Fund, we have secured 1.1 million KM for the Museum's renovation needs, and the second is that experts from the Smithsonian Institution will come to Bosnia and Herzegovina and work on plans for the future to ensure a successful century for this institution - said Cormack.

She also emphasized that they have provided support to the Museum's employees and worked with government representatives on the opening of this institution, and expressed gratitude to all mayors and municipal heads who signed the Memorandum of Understanding on the financing of cultural institutions.

Minister Osmanović pointed out that for the past four months, he has been an employee of the National Museum, even though he did not stay in the Museum.

- Every day we tried to find a solution to the accumulated problems of cultural institutions of national importance, but the National Museum had the most problems. We woke up and said these are our Bosnian institutions, our heritage, and that no institution should suffer the fate of the National Museum - said Osmanović.

He added that it is wonderful to hear the noise of children in the Botanical Garden, and also highlighted the role of workers who came to work every day, took care of the exhibits, and because of that, nothing was compromised.

- It was not only important to open the Museum, but to find a long-term solution.

Museum Director Adnan Busuladžić in his address especially thanked the Government of the Sarajevo Canton, on behalf of which the Minister of Culture and Sports Samer Rešidat spoke. He also said that within the next 30 days, he will propose a Law on Cultural and Tourist Tax to find a solution for the financial survival of this important institution.

The opening of the Museum was attended by numerous public figures, professors, actors, politicians, as well as the EU Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lars Gunar Wigemark.