MOSTAR, July 24 (FENA) – A central event marking 20 years since the restoration of the Old Bridge, a monument of peace and a symbol of unity and UNESCO’s world heritage, was held last night and was attended by representatives of UNESCO and the World Bank, ambassadors of the European Union and the world, as well as representatives of numerous organizations, diplomatic, political and cultural life and numerous citizens.

On the plateau below the Old Bridge, the ceremony, organized by the City of Mostar, began with the national anthem of Bosnia and Herzegovina performed by the Mostarske kiše ensemble and a short film about the restoration of the bridge narrated by actor Nedžad Maksumić.

Addressing the audience, the President of the City Council of the City of Mostar, Salem Marić, said that the Old Bridge is a symbol of existence and layered history in this area, a part of culture and identity, and an eternal seal that imprints us on the most significant works and heritage of the world.

He recalled that in 2005, one year after the restoration, the Old Bridge was entered on the UNESCO list, which positioned Mostar on the map of the most important world sites.

“Our Old Bridge welcomes citizens from all over the world under its wings and its arch. Tonight, the Old Bridge, the city of Mostar and its citizens stand upright and proud with great faith that we are walking together into a peaceful and better future. May the Old Bridge, the idea of ​​peace and common life live forever, may Mostar and our homeland Bosnia and Herzegovina be proud,” emphasized Salem Marić.

The head of the World Bank office in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, Christopher Sheldon, said that this bridge, a symbol of resistance, unity and hope, has a special place in the hearts of the inhabitants of Mostar and beyond.

Some monuments are so symbolic that they embody the spirit of the place, the Old Bridge in Mostar is one such monument, said UNESCO Deputy Director General Qu Xing in his address. Mostar’s Old Bridge shows that sooner or later the ruins must give way to reconstruction.

“Because an attack on heritage means undermining a certain vision of humanity. This means preferring a fragmented and fractured vision of the world. But by restoring monuments, encouraging international solidarity, we can rebuild the possibility of peace. This is what UNESCO believes, this is what UNESCO does,” he concluded.

During last night’s ceremony, Mayor Mario Kordić and President of the City Council Salem Marić awarded certificates of thanks to UNESCO, the World Bank, the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Republic of Italy, the Republic of Turkiye and the Republic of France for their outstanding contribution to the restoration of the Old Bridge.

Mayor Kordić said that the restoration of the Old Bridge was supposed to be the beginning of coexistence after the tumultuous 1990s.

“Unfortunately, we got stuck in the political mud and narratives that didn’t want to let us go. How we will live in Mostar does not depend on foreigners or anyone else, but depends on the people of Mostar and all of us. Thank you to the best citizens in Bosnia and Herzegovina, my Mostarians, without whom in the last four years we would not have been able to transform the city that was a case in itself into a city that is an example for Bosnia and Herzegovina and for the whole of Europe,” said Kordić.

After the certificates of appreciation were presented, the program continued with a ceremonial jump from the Old Bridge, followed by spectacular fireworks, and ended with a concert by the popular band Hari Mata Hari.