The Switzerland-based ALIPH Foundation has approved the US$ 599,511 two-year “Reconstruction of Joinery and Selected Storage Rooms of the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina” project, the Museum said on Tuesday.

ALIPH (International alliance for the protection of heritage in conflict areas) has recognised the value of the museum and chose to finance the project among the several hundred applications that were submitted from across the world.

“We would like to use this opportunity to thank our partners and business friends from the Louvre Museum (Paris, France) for their advisory assistance in recent months, as well as the UNESCO Office in Sarajevo and the French Embassy in Sarajevo, without whose logistical support the cooperation of the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Louvre Museum would certainly not have been so successful and fruitful,” Bosnia’s National Museum said.

“The sad reality of Bosnia and Herzegovina is forcing us to repair the wartime damage and post-war neglect mainly with taxpayers’ money from the citizens of the United States, France, Sweden, Italy, Switzerland, Ireland and other countries, so we hope that the state, FBiH, cantonal and city authorities of our dear Bosnia and Herzegovina will soon more appropriately recognize the importance of what is located in the geographical centre of its capital,” it said.

“This museum was on the frontlines during the war and the siege of Sarajevo (1992-1995). The project will contribute to its rehabilitation by reconstructing the Archeology Department and the Department of Natural Sciences, including the storage rooms by strengthening the conservation of part of its collection. It will also contribute to the protection of the textile collection of the Ethnology Department,” ALIPH said.