The National Museum of BiH hosted today a presentation of the project "Preventive conservation of the collections of National Museum of BiH in Sarajevo" for which the funds were donated by the Cultural Heritage Center, U.S. Department of State through the "U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation“ – that is through the Special U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation, in the amount of 625,000.00 USD (1,070,000.00 BAM). The project has been implemented by the Commission to Preserve National Monuments.

The main goal of the project is to support the reconstruction of the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo through the restoration and preventive conservation. Project activities will be implemented in stages, over a period of three years. The main project activities are:

• Preventive conservation (phase I and phase II)

• Roof restoration on the buildings housing departments for archaeology and natural sciences

• Restoration of wall and ceiling paintings in the Department of Prehistory

• Partial restoration of the joinery.

All project activities are related to preventive conservation which aims to prevent, stop or slow down the deterioration of the museum collection by introducing high standards of care and creating optimal conditions for its preservation.

Implementation of the part of activities in terms of preventive conservation of the Museum complex was planned for 2016, which includes providing security conditions for the complex and activities related to the restoration of roofs on the buildings where departments of archeology and natural history are located, as well as the restoration of the concrete balustrade railing of the complex.

All project activities will improve the presentation and security of the museum collections in all the pavilions of the National Museum.

We underline that this rehabilitation project is of great importance not only for the identity of the city of Sarajevo, but also for the entire Bosnia and Herzegovina's heritage. In addition to its importance for the implementation of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, this project presents a continuation of a successful long-term cooperation of the Commission to Preserve National Monuments, the National Museum and the US Embassy in Sarajevo.