Изазови система заштите нематеријалног културног наслеђа у мултиетничким државама: пример српске заједнице у Херцеговини
Challenges of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Safeguarding System in Multiethnic States: The Example of the Serbian Community in Herzegovina

Summary/Abstract: The challenges and problems in the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage in Bosnia and Herzegovina are reflected in all the ethnic communities that constitute the country. Bosniaks, Serbs and Croats, as well as members of other communities living in Bosnia and Herzegovina, face a number of obstacles when it comes to identifying, documenting, protecting and promoting their heritage. This is due, on the one hand, to the lack of internal consensus on what is and what is not part of their heritage (dissonant heritage) and, on the other hand, to the complex arrangement of heritage that corresponds to the complex constitutional structure of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This paper uses the heritage of Serbs in Herzegovina as a case study to illustrate how the lack of support from central authorities, the weak network of institutional actors and the lack of agreement on cultural issues complicate the processes related to heritage protection. This paper aims to provide an incentive for overcoming the challenges and problems of ICH safeguarding in Bosnia and Herzegovina and to offer some suggestions for reforming the system to make it more inclusive and provide a framework for the protection of all citizens and communities living in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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