"Cultural heritage of Herzegovina between memory and oblivion"

On the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of the demolition of the Old Bridge in Mostar, the Faculty of Humanities organized a scientific conference "Cultural Heritage of Herzegovina between Memory and Oblivion" on November 16, 2023, focusing on the destruction of cultural heritage in the territory of Herzegovina throughout history, with a special emphasis on the period from 1992 to 1995.

"It was important for us to mark the anniversary of the demolition of the Old Bridge in an appropriate way. Our focus is on the demolition of cultural heritage in Herzegovina, and we tried to cover the entire period of destruction of cultural heritage, not only during the aggression period of 1992-1995. Our goal is to objectively, without subjective admixtures, point out historical facts based on scientific knowledge and analysis and to have them gathered in a collection of papers, which will accompany this scientific conference - said the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Prof. Dr. Edim Šator.

The conference was attended by 22 scientists and public workers, researchers of cultural and historical heritage, from Bosnian universities, public institutions and establishments. The topics covered include the demolition of monuments from ancient to modern times.

"Today we gathered to mark 30 years since the demolition of the Old Bridge. For many of us, it is one of the saddest days of our lives. However, these kinds of gatherings and lectures that we will hear today are an indication that we continue to nurture memory, study and reflection on the values of cultural-historical heritage and tradition. Bosnia and Herzegovina is a treasure trove of European heritage, from Butmir culture, Glasinac culture, Illyrians, Greek colonies, Romans, Bosnian kingdom, Ottoman empire, Austria-Hungary, etc. Few countries can boast of such a layered heritage. Our Herzegovina is a special story. Only in Mostar, if you turn around, in the field of view of only a few meters, we can see how the traces of centuries are intertwined." said in her address the rector of the University "Džemal Bijedić" in Mostar, prof. Ph.D. Alena Huseinbegović.

The topics of the scientific conference covered the period of destruction of monuments from antiquity to the present day, and the conference itself was designed according to historical eras.

As a social and cultural phenomenon, memory not only reconstructs the past and the ways in which society relates to past events, but also organizes the experience of the present and the future. Thus, the study of urbicide and culturicide/heritocide from various scientific perspectives (historiographic, anthropological, architectural, literary theoretical and literary historical, ethnological and others) shows itself as a moral imperative and a pledge in building a healthier, more mature and more humane society," concluded the scientific conference "Cultural Heritage of Herzegovina between Memory and Oblivion".