January 23, 2021 - City of Split project Diocletian's Chest, designed in cooperation with primary schools and the Association of Tourist Guides to raise awareness among the youngest about Split's cultural heritage and the importance of its preservation, received great recognition from the World Federation of Tourist Guides (WFTGA).

Slobodna Dalmacija reports that the project was recognized just in time for International Education Day, which is celebrated on January 24. The World Federation of Tourist Guides praised this project called "Children - the guardians of our heritage" with the great merit of the Croatian Association of Tourist Guides. It is an excellent example and desirable model to bring children closer to the importance of historical and cultural heritage through education. In addition, this international organization invites other countries to join the project and apply the same education model and presentation of historical heritage in their cities.

Diocletian's Chest has been held since 2012. It is attended by 1,700 students, more than 70 teachers from all primary schools in Split, school coordinators, and a large number of tourist guides. Children have the opportunity to tour the Palace with expert guidance, and in the second part of the project, they participate in a knowledge quiz and an exhibition of student works on the theme of Diocletian's Palace. The project envisages awarding prizes to the most successful schools. In this way, they learn how to respect and present the heritage and preserve the great historical and civilizational heritage of Split for centuries to come.

"The Split model of showing the youngest the significance of our vast and rich heritage has received great international recognition. The echoes of our efforts and efforts to preserve the historical heritage for generations to come through education have been in the focus of a large organization such as the World Federation of Tourist Guides, an associate member of the UN World Tourism Organization, and a member of UNESCO. And all this at a time when tourist guides are fighting for survival as well as the correct interpretation of cultural heritage and history in which, as always, I give them full support," said Split Mayor Andro Krstulović Opara.

The World Federation of Tourist Guides, based in Vienna, is an organization that brings together national associations from 80 countries worldwide and represents over 150 thousand guides.

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