The National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina Hosts Experts in the Field of Preventing the Illicit Trade of Cultural Property

During September and October, the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina hosted two important events dedicated to the protection of museum and art objects in cases of illicit trade. Two “sister” projects – ANCHISE and AURORA – which focus on improving methods and tools for the preservation of cultural heritage, selected the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina as the central venue for presenting the final outcomes and goals of their activities.

These projects are implemented within the framework of the Horizon Europe program – the European Union’s flagship initiative aimed at fostering research, innovation, and strengthening cooperation among institutions in the field of cultural heritage protection.

The ANCHISE project aims to provide methods, knowledge, and tools that will enhance the protection of cultural heritage in cases of theft and illicit trafficking. By integrating new tools developed during the project, ANCHISE bridges the gap between emerging technologies and end users involved in cultural heritage protection, enabling their effective application in operational work while relying on a network of users and experts. During the two-day workshop, held on 10–11 September 2024, participants had the opportunity to work with four tools designed for searching online databases and to evaluate their usability. The training also included lectures and discussions on the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, mapping the threats faced by archaeologists as well as the institutional challenges present in the country. The program concluded with a roundtable discussion.

The AURORA project aims to explore new methods for uniquely identifying and tracking artworks using chemically coded data, miniaturized devices, and blockchain technology. The mission of AURORA is to develop tools for the preservation and protection of cultural heritage that provide a reliable and cost-effective solution for monitoring the location and sale of artworks, as well as for the rapid assessment of their authenticity, through a user-friendly methodology adapted to professionals involved in the management and protection of artefacts – such as art dealers, curators, museum managers, auction houses, and law enforcement officers. The Aurora Training School, held at the Museum from 21 to 24 October 2025, brought together participants from Bosnia and Herzegovina and other European countries, who had the opportunity to learn about the developed technologies and test some of the new methods.

We are deeply honored that leading European experts have recognized the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a central and key institution for the protection and promotion of cultural heritage in our country.