Preliminary Open List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina 2022–2025, kept by the Federal Ministry of Culture and Sports

In 2003, UNESCO adopted the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, with the aim of protecting, preserving, and promoting intangible cultural heritage worldwide. The Convention entered into force in 2006 and represents a key international instrument for safeguarding living heritage that communities, groups, and individuals recognize as part of their cultural identity.

In line with the principles of the 2003 Convention, the Federal Ministry of Culture and Sports maintains the Preliminary List of Intangible Heritage of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Between 2022 and 2025, the following elements have been inscribed on the List:

1. Singing accompanied by the šargija/tambura and violin – inscribed on 3 November 2023,

2. Kajganijada of Travnik (Scrambled Eggs Festival) – inscribed on 9 December 2024,
3. Spring Dawn – Čimburijada of Zenica (Egg Festival) – inscribed on 9 December 2024,
4. Masnica of Krajina (traditional pastry) – inscribed on 28 November 2025,
5. Hatma-dova in Karići – inscribed on 3 February 2026 and
6. Bosnian Carpet – inscribed on 19 February 2026.

Currently under review by Cantonal Ministries of Culture is the following:

• Mass at Bile.

In the process of application and documentation for inscription on the Preliminary List is the following:

• Svatovac – traditional song of the Croats in the Travnik region.

UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

The following elements from Bosnia and Herzegovina have been inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity:

• Konjic Woodcarving (2017)
• Custom of Grass Mowing Competitions in Kupres (2020)
• Sevdalinka – Traditional Urban Folk Song (2024)

Tangible Heritage in Bosnia and Herzegovina – UNESCO World Heritage

Bosnia and Herzegovina possesses significant tangible heritage inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, comprising three cultural properties and one natural site. Key highlights include the Old Bridge in Mostar, the Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge in Višegrad, medieval stećak tombstone necropolises, and the Vjetrenica Cave — all representing a unique blend of historical architecture and natural phenomena.

UNESCO Tangible Heritage in Bosnia and Herzegovina:

• Old Bridge in Mostar (inscribed 2005): A symbol of the city, a masterpiece of 16th‑century Ottoman architecture, reconstructed after its destruction.
• Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge in Višegrad (inscribed 2007): A monumental bridge over the Drina River, built in 1577 by the renowned architect Mimar Sinan.
• Stećci–Medieval Tombstones (inscribed 2016): A joint nomination with neighboring countries, encompassing necropolises such as Radimlja, Kalufi, Dugo Polje, and many others across Bosnia and Herzegovina.
• Vjetrenica Cave (inscribed 2024): A natural phenomenon and the most famous cave in Bosnia and Herzegovina, rich in underground lakes and biodiversity.
• Strict Nature Reserve Janj Primeval Forest, part of the transnational serial property Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe (inscribed 2021).

These sites represent major cultural and tourist attractions, bearing witness to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s rich history and natural diversity.

In addition to the inscribed properties, Bosnia and Herzegovina maintains the Tentative List with nine further sites. The Tentative List (or provisional list) serves as an inventory of properties within a country’s territory that are considered suitable for nomination to UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Member States include on their Tentative Lists those cultural and/or natural properties of outstanding universal value that they intend to nominate in the coming years. Importantly, nominations for inscription on the World Heritage List are not considered unless the property is already included on the country’s Tentative List.

The following properties are currently included on the Tentative List of Bosnia and Herzegovina:

• Sarajevo – a Unique Symbol of Universal Multiculturalism – Permanently Open City (1997; N.I. 1999),
• Natural and Architectural Ensemble of Jajce (2006),
• Historic Urban Area of Počitelj (2007),
• Natural and Urban Area of Blagaj (2007),
• Natural and Historic Area of Blidinje (2007),
• Natural and Historic Area of Stolac (2007),
• Perućica Primeval Forest (2017),
• Jewish Cemetery in Sarajevo (2018) and
• Waterfalls of Martin Brod, Una National Park (2019).

Memory of the World Programme

In 1992, UNESCO launched the Memory of the World Programme, calling for the preservation of valuable archival collections and library holdings worldwide, and ensuring their broad accessibility. The initiative arose from growing awareness of the poor state of preservation and access to documentary heritage in many parts of the world. Wars and social upheavals, combined with a serious lack of resources, exacerbated problems that had existed for centuries. Significant collections across the globe have suffered from theft and dispersal, illegal trade, destruction, inadequate housing, and insufficient funding.

The Memory of the World Register was established in 1997 to safeguard documentary heritage of global significance and universal value.

By decision of the UNESCO Director-General, and upon recommendation of the International Advisory Committee, two properties from Bosnia and Herzegovina were inscribed in the Memory of the World Register in 2017:

• The Sarajevo Haggadah and
• The Manuscript Collection of the Gazi Husrev-bey Library.