For the first time in Bosnia and Herzegovina, 100 bicyclists from different parts of the country participated in a unique event ”Tour de Culture BiH“, organized on the 24^th of May. The purpose of this bicycle tour was to promote the rich and common cultural heritage of BiH, as well as non-motorized transportation and environmental protection.

Tour de Culture is an annual project organized for the first time in 2008 in Kosovo. It was initiated, organized and financed jointly by Cultural Heritage without Borders (CHwB) and UN-HABITAT Kosovo offices, both funded by Sweden, aiming at promotion of natural and cultural heritage, non-motorized transport and environmental protection. Since 2014, the project is led only by CHwB Kosovo office and for many years now, the popularity of this project has attracted support of various donors, organizations and institutions. For more information on Tour de Culture Kosovo check the project description in our webpage.

Photo credits: CHwB BiH Facebook page

Tour de Culture Bosnia and Herzegovina started in Počitelj, one of the most beautiful towns in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the participants had the opportunity to feel the traditional music of this region through the performance of the tamburitza (string instrument) band. The bicyclists then continued to the distinctive archaeological site of Mogorjelo, in Čapljina municipality, and visited a village and a catholic church in Šurmanci. During the tour, participants visited the Monastery of Žitomislići, which dates from the 16^th century and is one of the most significant orthodox monasteries in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The tour stopped in the hometown of the Bosnian queen Katarina Kosača – the town of Blagaj, where participants tasted traditional food and drinks, before spending some time in the 16^th century masjid at the spring of Buna river. In the afternoon, bicyclists arrived at the Old Bridge in Mostar, where the Mostar Majorettes and the City Brass Band of Stolac performed in the final ceremony. For more information on the project visit CHwB BiH webpage and CHwB BiH Facebook page.