Director of Fortress of Culture Šibenik, Gorana Barišić Bačelić, is participating in the 20th anniversary edition of the European Heritage Heads Forum (EHHF), taking place in Zagreb from 7 to 9 October 2026. The Forum is one of Europe’s most important annual gatherings of leading experts and decision-makers in the fields of cultural heritage protection, conservation, and management.
This year's event marks the 20th anniversary of the Forum's establishment and is dedicated to the theme “Resilient Cultural Heritage Facing Contemporary Challenges.” The programme encourages reflection on the past, present, and future of Europe’s cultural heritage. Participants will discuss challenges affecting heritage across Europe, with this anniversary edition focusing on risk reduction and preparedness, rapid and effective crisis response, and post-crisis recovery, both from the perspective of heritage protection and society as a whole. Particular emphasis will be placed on identifying sustainable management models that ensure the preservation of heritage values while securing their long-term resilience and relevance.
As part of the Forum programme, on Friday, 9 October, Gorana Barišić Bačelić, Director of Fortress of Culture Šibenik, together with Mihaela Skurić, Director of the Dubrovnik Restoration Institute, will deliver a presentation entitled “UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Dubrovnik and Šibenik: Good Practices and Challenges in Conservation and Management.”
The presentation will showcase the experiences of two Croatian cities whose heritage is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, highlighting examples of successful cultural heritage management in contemporary circumstances.
Special attention will be given to the Šibenik cultural heritage management model, developed through the work of Fortress of Culture Šibenik. This model demonstrates that Šibenik’s fortresses have not been restored merely as monuments of the past, but as active and vibrant parts of the city’s daily life. Through systematic restoration and an innovative management approach, Fortress of Culture has successfully transformed the physical rehabilitation of heritage sites into long-term cultural, social, and economic value for the city and its residents. Such examples underline the importance of cultural heritage resilience and its ability to respond to contemporary challenges while preserving its authenticity and social role.
Participation in the European Heritage Heads Forum represents yet another significant international recognition of the work of Fortress of Culture Šibenik, as well as an opportunity to exchange experiences with leading European experts and institutions shaping the future of cultural heritage management.
