Trebinje, a city in the far south of Bosnia and Herzegovina, just thirty kilometres from the Adriatic Sea, will host the 11th edition of the Živa Award and Conference from 8 to 12 October 2025. For more than a decade, the Živa Award has been recognizing excellence in the preservation and promotion of Slavic cultural heritage, while strengthening cooperation among museums and cultural institutions in the region and beyond.

This year’s event, entitled Echoes of Heritage and the Future of Museums, will bring together more than thirty museums and cultural institutions from Slavic countries and the wider international community. The central theme of the conference invites reflection on how heritage continues to resonate within contemporary museum practice and how these echoes might shape the museums of tomorrow.

Confirmed keynote speakers:
– Sandro Debono, PhD, Museum Thinker and Consultant (Malta),
– Alessio Mazzolotti, PhD, President and CEO of Ice Cubes Srl, Founder of Fishbone Creek Sas (Italy),
– Roberto Zancan, PhD, Professor of History and Theory of Architecture at HEAD–Genève (HES-SO) (Italy/Switzerland).

Trebinje – The Cultural Center of Eastern Herzegovina
With its authenticity, rich history, and vibrant cultural scene, Trebinje is rapidly becoming the cultural hub of Eastern Herzegovina, open to both regional and international cooperation. The city is known for its mild Mediterranean climate with more than 260 sunny days a year, its picturesque bridges, centuries-old plane trees, and cultural heritage that connects different periods and traditions. A special charm is added by the 18th-century Old Town with its preserved stone streets, ancient walls, fountains, and mosques, enriched today with galleries, cafés, and boutiques.

Conference Programme
The programme will feature presentations by nominated institutions, lectures by renowned experts, promotional and networking activities at the Živa Marketplace, and the highlight of the event – the Živa Award Ceremony and Gala Dinner on 10 October. On the final day, 11 October, participants will enjoy a full-day excursion to selected cultural and natural heritage sites, including several UNESCO World Heritage locations.

Excursion – Heritage as a Symbol of Resilience
Participants will visit some of the region’s most renowned sites: the Zavala Monastery, Vjetrenica Cave (UNESCO), Radimlja Necropolis (UNESCO), Žitomislić Monastery, and the Old Bridge in Mostar (UNESCO). The story of the Žitomislić Monastery, which was completely destroyed during the war and later rebuilt stone by stone, today stands as a symbol of perseverance, reconciliation, and the renewal of cultural heritage. Similarly, the Old Bridge in Mostar has become a globally recognized symbol of restoration and unity.

Registrations are open until 30 September 2025. The registration form is available HERE.

We look forward to welcoming you to Trebinje for an inspiring programme of talks, discussions, and cultural experiences. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions at ziva.hanc@fsk.si