Leaders of underwater archeology from all Adriatic countries gathered this Sunday in Kotor to present projects with the theme of underwater cultural heritage and development of sustainable tourism at the conference "The Future of the Adriatic Past", which was organized by the Laboratory for Maritime Archeology (LAP), University of Montenegro, in within the current "WRECKS4ALL 2.0" project, which is co-financed by the IPA South Adriatic program.
The event was opened by the vice-rector for internationalization of the University of Montenegro, prof. Dr. Sanja Pekovic.
In front of the Ministry of European Affairs, Slađana Pešić addressed the participants of the conference from the countries of the Adriatic region, while Milena Ražnatović, adviser for international cooperation of the Ministry of Culture and Media, emphasized the importance of the "WRECKS4ALL 2.0" project for the further development of mechanisms for the protection and valorization of the Adriatic underwater cultural heritage.
The head of the UNESCO department for underwater cultural heritage, Eduard Planche, highlighted the institution's support for the Maritime Archeology Laboratory in Kotor and the "WRECKS4ALL 2.0" project, and informed the attendees about the work of UNESCO and the status of the implementation of the UNESCO 2001 Convention on the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage in the Adriatic region.
Kalliopi Baika, president of the UNESCO UNITWIN network for underwater archaeology, presented the work of the network in the context of protection and preservation of the rich underwater cultural heritage of the Adriatic, emphasizing the importance of the membership of the University of Montenegro in that initiative.
The transformational impact of the IPA project "WRECKS4ALL" and the importance of cross-border cooperation for raising awareness of underwater cultural heritage and underwater tourism in the region was presented by underwater archaeologist Darko Kovačević from LAP, who is the spiritus movens of this successful initiative.
Croatian diver and researcher of underwater archaeological sites Vedran Dorušić presented the revolutionary "Straton Project", which changed the approach to research, protection and inclusion of underwater heritage in the tourist offer.
Focusing on the research and protection of the ancient shipwreck near Cape Letavica on Pag, the famous Croatian scientist Dr. Irena Radić Rossi from the University of Zadar highlighted examples of good practice and cooperation between underwater archaeologists and the local community.
Professor Rita Auriema from the University of Salento in Italy presented the challenges of the valorization of the Apulian seascapes and the role of ESAC and the "Sea Navigation" project.
Andrej Gaspari from the University of Ljubljana spoke about the underwater cultural heritage of the Adriatic Sea and inland waters of Slovenia, offering insight into research, management and inclusive public access.
Dr. Massimo Capulli discussed the possibilities of developing tourism related to underwater cultural heritage in the northern Adriatic.
Director of the National Archaeological Museum and Archaeological Park of Egnazia in Italy, Dr. Fabio Galeandro, presented the new exhibition "Egnazia e il mare", which focuses on maritime heritage and its integration into the museum space using the most modern technologies.
Barbara Davidde presented the "MUSAS" project, which deals with the study and promotion of underwater cultural heritage, while Professor Artur Mecolarij illuminated the fascinating archaeological sites in Albania, showing their untapped potential for the development of diving tourism.
During the panel discussion, leaders of underwater archeology in the Adriatic region answered questions from the audience, discussed the application of good practice models in all Adriatic states, preservation of underwater cultural heritage, engagement of local communities and economic growth, paving the way for a sustainable future of coastal regions.
The conference ended with a visit to the Maritime Museum of Montenegro, where the participants embarked on a virtual reality "WRECK4ALL" journey through the attractive underwater locations of the Montenegrin coast that LAP has so far mapped, processed and presented to the widest public in the form of electronic virtual, but extremely realistic three-dimensional displays.
Bonus video:
