“Ljekaruše”: a Scientific Conference on Traditional Bosnian Medicine at the Pharmacy Museum in Sarajevo

Scientific event at the crossroads of health, culture, and memory

The Pharmacy Museum in Sarajevo, a member of the European Route of Historic Pharmacies and Medicinal Gardens – Cultural Route of the Council of Europe, is the organiser of the international scientific conference: “Medical Books and Manuscripts as Sources of Traditional Medicine of the Peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina”.

The event is led by Prof. Tarik Čatić, Director of the Museum and member of the Scientific Committee of Aromas Itinerarium Salutis (AIS). It is conceived as a forum for interdisciplinary and intercultural dialogue on the medical heritage of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Ljekaruše: written witnesses of traditional medicine

The term Ljekaruše refers to ancient books and manuscripts containing healing remedies, recipes, and therapeutic practices, transmitted orally or written down over the centuries.

Bosnia and Herzegovina, as a country at the crossroads of Eastern and Western traditions, is home to medical texts from Franciscan, Oriental, and Jewish sources. These documents not only reflect local healing practices but also stand as material evidence of cultural and religious dialogue.

Shared commitment to preservation and enhancement

The conference is organised in partnership with several of the country’s most respected cultural and academic institutions:

• the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina
• the Oriental Institute of the University of Sarajevo
• the Archives of the Jewish Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina

These institutions will be joined by experts and associates of the Pharmacy Museum in Sarajevo, contributing to a shared reflection on the historical and scientific value of traditional medical manuscripts.

A European contribution to knowledge and dialogue

The initiative aligns with the mission of the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, highlighting the importance of traditional medicine as a shared European cultural heritage.

It reflects the commitment of Aromas Itinerarium Salutis to promoting cooperation between science, culture, and civil society, and demonstrates how intangible heritage can support identity, education, and sustainable development.