EU spokesperson in BiH: Sarajevo's Ars Aevi Museum to become key cultural hub - EXCLUSIVE

The European Union supports the cultural and creative sectors in Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of its efforts to promote social development, reconciliation and shared European values, Ferdinand Koenig, Head of Communication Section in the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina, said in an exclusive interview with CE Report.

Through the EU4Culture project, Koenig explained, "the EU is supporting the building or renovation of buildings for culture, creating new opportunities for artists and cultural workers across the country.” He added that the construction of the Ars Aevi Museum of Contemporary Art in Sarajevo is one of the main actions in this project..

"The museum will showcase the existing Ars Aevi collection, which consists of over 150 works donated as a gesture of solidarity by globally recognised contemporary artists, such as Michelangelo Pistoletto, Jannis Kounellis, Joseph Beuys, Marina Abramović and Joseph Kosuth. This collection was developed with significant international support, notably from Italy and UNESCO. The curatorial process will be led by local authorities, with opportunities for collaboration with European museums through the EU4Culture project. The Ars Aevi museum is expected to become a platform for international exchange and a dynamic space for contemporary art," he stressed.

The EU spokesperson in BiH informed that the European Union is contributing €4.1 million through EU4Culture for the construction of Ars Aevi, along with contributions from Italy and France, under a ‘Team Europe’ approach.

"The project is carried out together with local authorities, including the City of Sarajevo and Canton Sarajevo, who also provide funding, as well as UNESCO. The EU4Culture project is managed by the EU in Bosnia and Herzegovina and implemented by UNESCO, which supervises the construction and ensures EU rules for transparency and accountability are duly followed. The planned construction period for the Ars Aevi Museum is 36 months. The timeline for the opening will closely follow the completion of construction and is subject to the timely approval of permits and full coordination among relevant institutions," he noted.

Koenig stressed that the EU sees the Ars Aevi Museum as a transformative investment in Sarajevo’s cultural landscape.

"Its location, near the National Museum and in a pedestrian-friendly green area, positions it to become a key cultural hub. With strong local policy support, the museum has the potential to elevate Sarajevo’s role as a regional centre for arts and intercultural dialogue," Koenig added.

He explained that the project will offer educational activities, spaces for artists to work together, as well as cultural exchange programmes. It is important for local authorities to use the museum’s potential to improve working conditions for artists and the cultural community. The project will also help connect cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina and communities across the region.

"Ars Aevi is one of five cultural facilities to be developed through the EU4Culture project. With a total EU funding of €8.5 million, the EU4Culture is supporting the renovation and construction of cultural infrastructures in Sarajevo, Banja Luka and Mostar," Koenig said.

In addition to the Ars Aevi Museum in Sarajevo, he noted, the project includes the creation of the Documentation Centre for the Holocaust Museum in Sarajevo, establishment and construction of the Culture and Creative Industries Development Centre in Banja Luka, the reconstruction of the Museum of Contemporary Art of Republika Srpska and the rehabilitation of Mujaga Komadina House in Mostar. Each will be equipped with modern tools and digital technologies to improve the management of collections, exhibitions and educational programmes.

"As the largest donor and partner in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the European Union remains fully committed to promoting culture and supporting inclusive development across the country," Koenig concluded.

Photo: LinkedIn

This interview was prepared by Julian Müller