IUS Architecture Students and Faculty Participate in Global Peace & Heritage Forum in Florence
Students of the Architecture (ARCH) study program at the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences (FENS) of the International University of Sarajevo (IUS) - Amna Neimarlija, Halima-Hana Čačković, Ilma Sjerotanović, Rahela Merušić, and Tahir Kapetanović - together with Associate Professor Dr. Adi Ćorović, Scientific Expert of the Fondazione Romualdo Del Bianco - Life Beyond Tourism since 2019, participated in the prestigious international cultural program “The World in Florence,” held from November 26 to 28, 2025, at the Auditorium al Duomo in Florence, Italy.
Launched in 2021 as a continuation of the international initiative “Florence in the World – The World in Florence” and the appeal “Building Peace through Heritage” presented in Baku in 2019, the festival has developed into a global platform dedicated to intercultural dialogue, sustainable tourism, and the promotion of shared heritage values. Bringing together participants from more than 30 countries - including universities, cultural institutions, international organizations, and local communities - the event empowers young people to become “heritage narrators,” shaping new, inclusive approaches to tourism and cultural exchange through exhibitions, conferences, artistic performances, and educational programs.
The 2025 edition, themed “Heritage: Peace & Move,” marked the completion of the festival’s first five-year cycle and the launch of a new phase with the establishment of the International Workshop of Best Practices, reinforcing Florence’s role as a global hub for heritage-based cultural diplomacy. Esteemed guests included Mounir Bouchenaki, former Director-General of ICCROM and Special Advisor to the Director-General of UNESCO, and Marc Laenen, former Director-General of ICCROM and former Secretary-General of the ICOMOS International Committee for Vernacular Architecture. During the event, the Foundation also unveiled the international manifesto “Heritage for Building Peace 2025,” calling for a renewed cultural and economic approach rooted in dialogue and mutual understanding.
Within this framework, IUS students participated in “Storytellathon 2025” with their presentation “Rebuilding a Multicultural Mostar,” offering an innovative and forward-looking interpretation of the city’s cultural heritage. Moving beyond conventional tourism narratives, they proposed an alternative urban itinerary highlighting lesser-known landmarks, restoration initiatives, and sustainable development opportunities. A central element of their concept was the proposal to restore the historic Girls’ School building from the Austro-Hungarian period into a multi-confessional space, envisioned as a shared place of prayer and reflection for people of all faiths. Their work received international recognition with the “Special Mention for Rebuilding Multicultural Mostar” award.
On November 27, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Adi Ćorović contributed to the festival’s expert roundtable titled “Peace and Heritage – Empathic Hosts and Guests, and Tourism,” held at the 15th-century Palazzo Coppini, headquarters of the Del Bianco Foundation. In his case study “Multicultural Tradition, Social Cohesion, and Cultural Tourism – The Historical Core of Sarajevo,” he presented Sarajevo’s heritage as a living example of how tangible and intangible cultural values can promote dialogue, strengthen community bonds, and support peacebuilding efforts worldwide.
The festival officially opened on November 26 with the unveiling of the sculpture “Stupore (Wondering)” by Paolo Del Bianco, Founder and President of the Foundation. Created from melted weapon waste, the artwork symbolizes the transformation of destruction into peace-building through art. During the ceremony, Dr. Ćorović presented Del Bianco with reproductions of photographs from his iconic Sarajevo installation “The Silence of the Dead Chairs,” first exhibited during the siege of Sarajevo in 1993 - a powerful testament to the role of artistic expression in confronting war and preserving collective memory.
At the close of the 2025 program, the Foundation’s leadership expressed strong appreciation for the contributions of IUS students and faculty and extended an invitation for continued cooperation at future editions of the Florence events in 2026.
The mission of the Fondazione Romualdo Del Bianco - Life Beyond Tourism remains dedicated to promoting peace worldwide through cultural exchange, intercultural education, and dialogue. Active across 111 countries on five continents, the Foundation champions the ethos of Life Beyond Tourism, uniting young people, scholars, and professionals around shared values of travel, heritage, respect, knowledge, and understanding - principles that strongly align with the international vision of the International University of Sarajevo.
The International University of Sarajevo proudly congratulates its students and Associate Professor Dr. Adi Ćorović on their outstanding achievements and recognition at this important international forum.
