Reis Kavazović and Cardinal Puljić to volunteer at the National Museum

An exhibition of photographs by Zijah Gafić titled "Museum Guardians" was opened last night at the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Gafić's portraits feature employees he calls "guardians" because they have been preserving the museum's collection without any compensation since the Museum closed in October 2012, reports the BH News Agency Patria.

The National Museum is one of the most significant cultural institutions in BiH, and it has been closed for three years. Last night, the doors of this museum were briefly opened for an initiative that will officially begin on August 3rd and last until October 4th, titled "I am the Museum".

Ines Tanović-Sijerčić, project coordinator at the Action and Initiatives Culture 2020 Association, spoke about the "I am the Museum" initiative on N1's Novi dan program.

She emphasized that the National Museum is a "specific institution" in the region.

- The political elites in BiH have shown "great negligence" towards the collective good by allowing such an institution to be closed since 2012, she believes.

Tanović Sijerčić also recalled the negative image of the museum's employees that is being amplified in the media.

- There is a negative image of the employees, and they are accused of selfishness, and of being the main culprits for the museum's closure. This absolves those who are actually responsible and guilty for this situation. The National Museum, along with six other institutions, is seeking a legal and financial solution to its status. The museum currently has 45 employees who come to work every day and guard our common treasure. These are people who have taken responsibility for something that the state should be responsible for, the coordinator noted.

Many public figures will participate in the "I am the Museum" initiative.

- There will be daily volunteer shifts from 10 AM to 6 PM. We have invited many public figures, cultural workers, the academic community, and religious representatives. Cardinal Vinko Puljić and Reis-ul-ulema Husein Kavazović have already responded. The list includes over 150 people who have confirmed their participation in this major civic initiative, Tanović-Sijerčić said, adding that this shows how much people care about the National Museum.