Addressing the conference, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said that being a Mediterranean and Central European country, Croatia can boast of a versatile cultural and natural heritage.
"Dubrovnik and its great people have their niche in Croatia's history," he added, underscoring the significance of Dubrovnik's Old City as well as of the local festivity in tribute to Saint Blaise that takes place in Dubrovnik every February since the 10th century.
The Old City of Dubrovnik was added to UNESCO's World Heritage properties' list in 1979.
"The 'Pearl of the Adriatic', situated on the Dalmatian coast, became an important Mediterranean sea power from the 13th century onwards. Although severely damaged by an earthquake in 1667, Dubrovnik managed to preserve its beautiful Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque churches, monasteries, palaces and fountains. Damaged again in the 1990s by armed conflict, it is now the focus of a major restoration programme co-ordinated by UNESCO," reads information on UNESCO's website.
The Festivity on the day of the city's patron-saint on 3 February draws not only its residents but all those who honour tradition and the right to one’s freedom and peace.
"On the third of February, the official day of both saint and city, parish banner bearers flow into the city in folk costume for the centrepiece of the festival, a procession attended by bishops, ambassadors, civic leaders, visiting notables and the people of Dubrovnik. The festivity embodies many aspects of human creativity, from rituals to folk songs, from performance to traditional crafts (including the making of the historical weapons fired in celebration)," according to information on UNESCO's website.
Croatia's cooperation with UNESCO
PM Plenkovic also commented on Croatia's contribution to UNESCO's efforts to preserve the world heritage, and recalled that Croatia financially supported efforts to restore the war-damaged heritage in Mali.
The PM announced that Croatia would participate in UNESCO's efforts to reconstruct Mosul, Iraq.
Text: Hina