Ministry of Culture and Sports of Sarajevo Canton Fulfills Obligations to Cultural Institutions of State Importance

(Patria) - The Law on Temporary Co-financing of Cultural and Educational Institutions of Importance to BiH has been fully implemented today, in August 2025. Employees of BiH cultural institutions, for the first time in more than three decades of uncertainty, have regular salaries, paid health insurance, and pension contributions.

By signing the contract for the disbursement of the second tranche of funds, the Ministry of Culture and Sports of Sarajevo Canton has ensured stability for four key cultural institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina: the Historical Museum of BiH, the Museum of Literature and Performing Arts of BiH, the Cinematheque of BiH, and the Art Gallery of BiH.

This act secured gross compensation of around 2,000 KM per employee, which includes salary, taxes, meal allowance, and transportation costs. Thus, not only was the closure of these institutions prevented, but workers were also enabled to have dignified work and life.

The Minister of Culture and Sports of Sarajevo Canton, Kenan Magoda, emphasized that this is not only financial support but also a symbolic message.

“Culture is not a luxury – culture is the soul of our people. Sarajevo Canton has shown responsibility and love for the preservation of cultural heritage, but it has also clearly conveyed that the state of BiH must assume long-term obligations and ensure permanent solutions for the financing of these institutions. Our task is fulfilled, but the fight for the permanent security of culture in BiH continues,” stated Minister Magoda.

The Ministry of Culture and Sports of Sarajevo Canton supports the initiative to include all seven cultural institutions of importance to BiH in the state budget of BiH. However, as they emphasize, this path remains thorny, because there are political forces that want to destroy our national treasure. Despite this, the Ministry states that today's step is proof that with persistence and a systematic approach, what seemed impossible for decades can be achieved.