In the shadow of summer tourist stories that still prefer the sea, the sun, the sand... the cultural and spiritual needs of the modern tourist somehow slip through. So, under the direction of museum institutions on both sides of the Dinarides in the Republic of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, a valuable project is being realized about the life and works of the ancient Illyrian tribe Delmati, who lived in this area for many centuries before Christ, but left an indelible mark on the genetics of today's man and through archaeological artifacts available today through museum institutions.
The recently held performance at the opening of the exhibition DELMATI: THE STRENGTH OF COMMUNITY, which was organized in the space and lapidary by the organizers from the Dinaric-Delmatian area "Liepe naše", did not leave your blogger indifferent, so here are the interesting details.
Namely, for a long time now, through journalistic and tourist activities, I have been warning that an important part of our history has remained in the gray of the public presentation of the life and activities of the Illyrian tribes - from Japod and Liburn in the north through Delmat in the central part to Ardijejaci and Daors on the southeastern slopes of the Dinaric mountains. We learned something about that part of our history through the TV show ON THE EDGE OF SCIENCE, Krešimir Mišak, who, through interesting guests and their research, actually called the academic community to a statement.
Well, here something is moving, probably not at the pace the public expects, because due to the lack of artifacts, as well as the complete destruction of our impressive heritage by Roman and other invaders, it is scientifically difficult to prove it.
That is why we are pleased with the fact that "museum people" from both sides of the border have shown their willingness to take on an academic challenge, and to present at least part of that heritage so that it can be valorized both culturally and touristically.
From the ancient Tobacco Field and the probable seat of the Illyrian tribe Delmati with Delminium, through the artifacts in the valley of the rivers Cetina and Krka and Lašva and Bosna to significant hill and mountain passes that today we note as Roman, but were actually Illyrian in their original form.
Visiting the museums themselves - from the Franciscan ones in Tomislavgrad, Livno, Rama, Ljubuško, Visoko, Jajce... to the National Museum in Sarajevo and the Archaeological Museum in Split, as well as professional scientific literature, can serve as a good source of cultural inspiration, as well as storytelling of tourist stories.
These are actually itineraries for creating tourist arrangements from the Adriatic to the interior of Dalmatian Zagora, and it is realistic to expect the involvement of these routes in new tourist products.
I also remember the book I received from the late student pastor, Don Damjan Raguž, which refers to the research on ILLYRIAN GARDENS AND MOUNDS IN DALMATIA by his master at the Split Seminary, Don Ante Škobalja, about thirty years ago, and which, in the tension of proving my Croatian identity, I almost did not watched, but today I find it very interesting because each chapter brings inspiration for a new tourist story. There are probably more such books and research that can be valorized in tourism.
The synergy of the public and private and NGO sectors is also gratifying, so we hope that the story from Tomislavgrad and Sarajevo, via Livno, Split, Zagreb and possibly abroad will arouse the desire and interest in visiting these places, from cultural-educational to touristic-adventurous urges.
Archaeologists and museum workers have unearthed valuable Delmatian Illyrian treasures, and it is up to cultural and tourism workers to present this identity to the market through image and promotion, and the branded value of each artifact is imposed as a paradigm of sustainable tourism
