Sarajevo Haggadah in a new space, different usage conditions

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The French Embassy in BiH, in cooperation with UNESCO, is financing the renovation and better security of the room at the National Museum of BiH where the Haggadah is kept, as well as its better presentation to the public. The works lasted several months, and the inauguration of the new space will be held on Thursday, February 22nd. 

The realization of the project "Haggadah, Closer to You" will enable the National Museum of BiH to preserve the Haggadah in better conditions and present it in a way that is adapted to the public. The level of protection for the Sarajevo Haggadah from light, temperature and humidity changes, as well as from fire or theft, has been significantly raised. Also, the new system for presenting the book reduces the need for frequent manual manipulation, all of which contributes to its better protection.

Thanks to these improvements, the public will be able to see the Haggadah twice a week, at times that will be announced soon. In this way, Bosnians and Herzegovinians will once again enjoy the benefits of this valuable medieval Jewish manuscript, and the National Museum of BiH will be able to attract more visitors from all over the world.

France, UNESCO, and the National Museum of BiH have also improved the presentation of the Haggadah's content. The installation of a large screen allows for virtual browsing of the Haggadah's pages, and thanks to UNESCO funds, copies of the Haggadah will be reprinted, along with a new study that will reveal previously unknown data.

The French Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Guillaume Rousson, stated that the "Haggadah Closer to You" project expresses France's commitment to supporting the future of the National Museum of BiH.

- We hope that this renovation will help the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina to move into the future in better conditions and that it will encourage other donors to support the valorization of its priceless collection.

UNESCO is extremely proud of its participation in the project, financed by the Government of the French Republic, as it helps protect a valuable manuscript, a witness to centuries of coexistence in these regions, which has been included in the Memory of the World Register since November 2017.