Italy to open an Italian Institute of Culture in Bosnia

The agreement represents a concrete result of the two friendly countries' commitment to deepen their mutual ties in culture and education, enabling a stronger presence of Italian culture and science in Bosnia.

The establishment of the Italian Institute of Culture would enhance the implementation of the existing Agreement on Cooperation in the Fields of Culture, Education and Sports between the two countries, which has been in force since 2004.

The Institute's primary goal is to further strengthen cooperation in the sectors of culture, arts, research, and education. The Institute will serve as a bridge between Bosnia and Italy’s cultural heritage, as well as contemporary Italian achievements.

With the establishment of the Institute, resources that were previously available only through the Embassy of the Republic of Italy or distant cultural centers will become accessible to interested parties.

"The establishment of the Italian Institute of Culture in Sarajevo represents an important step forward in strengthening cultural and educational cooperation between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Italy and opens up new opportunities for learning, exchange, and connection with the European cultural space," said BiH Minister of Civil Affairs Dubravka Bosnjak.

The Institute will directly manage scholarships of the Government of the Republic of Italy, provide support for student enrollment at Italian universities and conservatories, and organize Italian language courses.

Plans include the establishment of a modern 'media center' and library, as well as the continuous organization of film screenings, concerts, fashion shows, and seminars on Italian cuisine. The Institute will actively cooperate with local museums and archives and provide financial support for the translation of works by Italian authors into the languages of the peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Institute is expected to operate under the supervision of the head of the Italian diplomatic mission in Bosnia. Although non-profit in nature, the Institute will have the possibility of self-financing through language courses and the sale of educational materials, ensuring the long-term sustainability of its programs.

After consideration by Bosnia's Council of Ministers, the draft agreement will be submitted to the BiH Presidency for consent to sign. Once all internal procedures are completed and the ratification process is carried out, the agreement will enter into force, creating the conditions for the formal establishment and start of operations of the Italian Institute of Culture.