Mostar

The Croatian Republic of Herzeg-Bosnia (Croatian: Hrvatska Republika Herceg-Bosna) was an unrecognized geopolitical entity and quasi-state in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was proclaimed on 18 November 1991 under the name Croatian Community of Herzeg-Bosnia (Croatian: Hrvatska Zajednica Herceg-Bosna) as a "political, cultural, economic and territorial whole" in the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and abolished on 14 August 1996. The Croatian Community of Bosnian Posavina, proclaimed in northern Bosnia on 12 November 1991, was joined with Herzeg-Bosnia in October 1992. In its proclaimed borders, Herzeg-Bosnia encompassed about 30% of the country, but did not have effective control over the entire territory as parts of it were lost to the Army of Republika Srpska (VRS) at the beginning of the Bosnian War. The armed forces of Herzeg-Bosnia, the Croatian Defence Council (HVO), were formed on 8 April 1992 and initially fought in an alliance with the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Their relations deteriorated throughout late 1992, which led to the Croat–Bosniak War. The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina declared Herzeg-Bosnia unconstitutional on 14 September 1992. Herzeg-Bosnia formally recognized the Government of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and functioned as a state within a state, while some in its leadership advocated the secession of the entity and its unification with Croatia. On 28 August 1993, Herzeg-Bosnia was declared a republic following the proposal of the Owen-Stoltenberg Plan, envisioning Bosnia and Herzegovina as a union of three republics. Its capital city was Mostar, which was then a war zone, and the effective control center was in Grude. In March 1994, the Washington Agreement was signed that ended the conflict between Croats and Bosniaks. Under the agreement, Herzeg-Bosnia was to be joined into the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but it continued to exist until it was formally abolished in 1996.

The United World College in Mostar (UWC Mostar) (Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian: Koledž Ujedinjenog svijeta u Mostaru) is a part of the United World College, founded by Elisabeth Rehn (UN Special Rapporteur on the Secretary General for the United Nations Mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina 1995-1999) and Lamija Tanović (Chair, Humanity in Action Bosnia and Herzegovina) in 2006 and officially opened by Queen Noor of Jordan. UWC Mostar is the first UWC with an explicit aim to contribute to the reconstruction of a post-conflict society and also the first to be housed within an existing public school (see also Education in Bosnia and Herzegovina). UWC Mostar is the twelfth college in the United World Colleges family, and the fourth college in Europe. UWC Mostar was founded as a joint initiative of UWC and the International Baccalaureate Organization, with the aim to support the peace process in the country and the region. From January 2011, UWC Mostar is part of Foundation Education in Action which is a legal successor of UWC-IB Initiative in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The chair of the Governing Board is Pilvi Torsti, Chair of the College Board is Jasminka Bratić (who is also a member of the school's Governing Board). As consequence of the Bosnian War, Gymnasium Mostar - with which UWC Mostar shares a building - teaches two national separate secondary school curricula, intended for Croat and Bosniak students. UWC Mostar students come from all ethnic groups in Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as from the region and abroad. All students live, study and serve the community together, creating a unique example of integrated education in post-war Bosnia and Herzegovina. The college also serves as the Centre for Professional Development of Teachers in Bosnia and Herzegovina who receive training in international educational standards. Students at the college are eligible, upon graduation, to participate in the Davis United World College Scholars Program, which funds undergraduate study for UWC students at selected universities in the United States.

The Croatian National Theatre in Mostar (Croatian: Hrvatsko narodno kazalište u Mostaru) is a theatre located in Mostar, home to the largest population of Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina. HNK Mostar was established on September 22, 1994 and the foundations of its building were laid on January 30, 1996. In July 2011 the building was still undergoing construction and was incomplete. Croatian and local dramas are performed on the small stage in the basement (which is completed) and it is also the venue of the Croatian Puppet Theatre. Some of its goals include the promotion of Croatian culture in Bosnia and Herzegovina and abroad, as well as hosting international theatre troupes. All of its plays and performances are held on the small stage located in the building's basement. Half of its funding comes from the budget of Herzegovina-Neretva Canton (50%), while the other half comes from sponsors and donors. It currently has 25 employees and its theatre director (as of September 3, 2014) is Ivan Vukoja.

Gimnazija Mostar (Serbian Cyrillic: Гимназија Мостар) is a gymnasium in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Formerly called Gimnazija "Aleksa Šantić" (Гимназија "Алекса Шантић") in honour of the eponymous poet, it is nowadays popularly referred to as Stara gimnazija (The Old Gymnasium).

Herzegovina University (Croatian: Sveučilište Hercegovina, Latin: Universitas Studiorum Hercegoviniensis) was established in 2010 in Medjugorje by merging three independent higher education institutions into University.

A statue of Bruce Lee was unveiled on 26 November 2005, in the city of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, by sculptor Ivan Fijolić. Located in Zrinjevac City Park, the life-sized statue stands 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in) tall, shorter than Bruce Lee's actual height of 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in), and is a symbol of solidarity in the ethnically-divided city.

Muslibegović House is a national monument and a museum located in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The monument complex includes a residential building and two courtyards, including the surrounding walls with entrance gateways, and movable property. Some of its most valuable exhibits include the manuscript of the Qur'an made by Sami (pupil of Hajji Hafiz Muhamed Sevkije), levhas from 1855, and a decorated sabre from 1866. The residential complex of the Muslibegović family, located in Mostar's Brankovac mahala, dates from the second half of the 18th century.The main house was extended in the period between 1871 and 1872, when two rooms were added on the ground floor and two additional ones on the upper floor. This was also the time when the mutvak (summer kitchen), larder/storeroom and cistern were constructed - as evidenced by the building permit written in Turkish and issued by the Mostar beledija (municipality). According to a former building owner, Muhamed Muslibegović, the building works were carried out by a man referred to as Janjic, though the wood carvings, which took two years to complete, were imported from other regions. The house was commissioned by Mehmed Muslibegović, who owned extensive land properties, particularly in Popovo polje.The Muslibegović family house is considered one of the most significant examples of residential architecture of Ottoman-era Herzegovina. The complex has preserved its original residential use and ownership over the years.Today, the section of a building is used as hotel and it consists of twelve bedrooms. Expedia Travel declared the Muslibegović House as one of the world's best accommodations for 2010.

Mostar Youth Theatre (locally known as Mostarski Teatar Mladih or MTM) is a city-sponsored community theatre located in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Aluminij Gallery (Croatian: Galerija Aluminij) is an art gallery located in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is sponsored and run by the aluminium manufacturing company Aluminij.The gallery most commonly hosts exhibitions of sculpture and painting, and graphic art. A certain number of art works was purchased by the Aluminij Gallery after each exhibition and its fundus also includes a permanent art collection. The Gallery also hosts presentations of literary achievements, chamber concerts and similar events. The Gallery is open every working day from 7 am to 8 pm, and on Saturdays from 9 am to 2 pm. Admission is free.

The University of Mostar (Croatian: Sveučilište u Mostaru; Latin: Universitas Studiorum Mostariensis) is the largest public university located in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Previously it was called the University Džemal Bijedić of Mostar, named after a socialist politician Džemal Bijedić. The university has ten faculties and one Academy of Fine Arts, with 50 majors, 46 specialisations and 70 study groups. This makes the University of Mostar one of the most diverse universities in the country.

Croatian Lodge "Herceg Stjepan Kosača" (Croatian: Hrvatski dom Herceg Stjepan Kosača) is a city-sponsored public institution in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina, which promotes, assists and organizes educational and art events. It was named after Stjepan Vukčić Kosača, a 14th-century nobleman from Herzegovina. Its premises are used for art exhibitions, concerts, theatre performances, lectures, movie screenings, puppet shows, dance classes, lectures, and conventions.

Cultural Centre (Bosnian: Centar za kulturu) is a city-sponsored art institution in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. During the month of July, the Centre organizes the Mostar Summer Festival (Mostarski Ljetni Festival) that has been held annually for over twenty years. The festival includes various art events such as concerts, theatre performances, puppet-shows, art exhibitions, poetry readings, and book presentations. Cultural Centre's address is Rade Bitange 13 and its phone number is +387 (0)36 580 216.