Regional meeting of peers at the Belgrade Tourism Fair

Within the 36th International Tourism Fair in Belgrade, at the stand of the Republic of Srpska, a meeting was held between representatives of the Tourism organization of the Republic of Srpska, Tourism Organization of Banja Luka, representatives of professional craft associations from the Republic of Srpska and Ethno Network.

The aim of the meeting was to meet and exchange experiences among groups of craft producers and tourism organizations from the Republic of Srpska and Ethno network to enable planning of joint projects that would result in expansion of activities of Ethno network into the Republic of Srpska. Coordinator of Ethno Network Sofia Arsic presented Ethno Network and goals of our organization as well as opportunities for cooperation with peers in Republika Srpska under the auspices of the Representative office in Belgrade that would facilitate establishment of cooperation and institutional contacts. During the meeting, selected professional associations from the Republic of Srpska presented their background and experiences – Association „Duga“ from Banja Luka, association „Osmjeh zene“ from Laktasi, special libraries for the blind and partially sighted people in Banja Luka, as well as the Tourist Organization of Banja Luka, which traditionally supports local artisans by promoting their work at fairs in the country and abroad. These associations have a well developed souvenir and clothing program, and work to preserve authentic local motifs and traditional knowledge, which closely follows high standards of quality and approach nurtured by Ethno Network, thsu presenting a good basis for regional integration and cooperation.

It has been suggested that artisans from the Republic of Srpska participate in the upcoming juried handicrafts exhibition of miniatures as the first step in cooperation between Ethno network and peer associations from the Republic of Srpska.

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