Cities of Serbian importance and rich history The presentation of the Loznice within the EXPO 2027 Playground (PHOTO)

The city of Loznica has taken center stage as part of the upcoming EXPO 2027 Playground, showcasing its rich history, cultural heritage, natural beauty, and economic potential to a wider audience. This presentation was held in Hall 5 of the Belgrade Fair, where Loznica aimed to highlight all that makes it unique within Serbia and the broader region. The event featured a promotional video and accompanying programs designed to draw attention to the city's attractions, including its historical significance, notable personalities, and scenic landscapes such as the Drina River, Guča Mountain, Cer Mountain, Tršić, and Banja Koviljak.

Loznica’s mayor, Dragana Lukić, accompanied by Minister without Portfolio Tatjana Macura and local resident Svetislav Božić—a composer, university professor, and academic—visited the exhibition space. Lukić emphasized that Loznica is a city with a rich history, preserving its authenticity while also looking toward the future. She noted that the city is undergoing infrastructure development aimed at making it more attractive for young people and others who choose to live there voluntarily rather than out of necessity. She expressed hope that the upcoming activities would attract a significant number of tourists during the three-month period of the event, encouraging them to visit Loznica.

Lukić also mentioned that Loznica has chosen a mascot for the EXPO 2027, which will be unveiled soon. The mascot, named Vuki, will be made from unused wool. Macura highlighted that Loznica is one of the most representative cities in Serbia and that the new road leading to the city is expected to bring both domestic and international visitors. She pointed out that Loznica serves as a cultural and historical center, offering visitors much to see and experience. She believed this opportunity would allow many Serbs who don't frequently visit Loznica and its surrounding areas to become familiar with the region's tourism and other potentials.

Božić described Loznica as a wonderful city where many notable Serbs were born and where those who live there or have an affinity for it can view the world in a different, objective, and realistic way. The event included performances by the Serbian Chamber Orchestra, the Cultural Center “Vuk Karadžić,” the Primary Music School “Vuk Karadžić,” the dance group “Oki-Doki,” and the Cultural and Artistic Society “Karadžić.”

In recent years, numerous incidents involving tourists damaging historical monuments and landmarks have been reported around the world. These incidents often occur when individuals attempt to take photographs or fulfill social media challenges by climbing onto statues or structures. For example, in Florence, Italy, a woman recently climbed over protective barriers and onto Neptune Fountain, causing damage estimated at €5,000. During her climb, she used parts of the fountain structure and the horse statue as support to avoid getting wet. Experts assessed the damage, noting injuries to the horse's legs and parts of the relief she leaned against. This was not the first time tourists had attempted to climb the fountain for photos, with similar incidents occurring in previous years.

Authorities installed cameras at the site in 2005 after a tourist climbed the statue, breaking its arm. Another incident occurred a few years ago when a German tourist tried to climb the fountain and injured the horse's leg. Officials conducted an assessment showing that the weight of the tourist caused damage to the fountain. The city's mayor stated that despite strict controls around the monument, incidents continue to occur regularly each summer. According to art expert Đorđe Kazelj, it has become increasingly common among visitors to climb monuments as a form of challenge.

In 2024, a teenager hid inside the Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral overnight before attempting to climb to the dome to take a selfie. He recorded himself climbing the internal staircase, reaching the level of the dome, and exiting onto a small external platform to post the image on Instagram. In May of last year, a visitor at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence accidentally damaged an 18th-century painting while trying to take a selfie. The museum stated that the issue of visitors taking selfies or poses for social media has become widespread.

Similar incidents have occurred in other European cities as well. In Verona, a man slipped and fell onto a chair decorated with jewels belonging to Italian artist Nicole Bole while pretending to sit on it for a photograph. In northern Italy, a sculpture dating back about two centuries lost several fingers on its foot when a tourist posed for a photo in 2020. In Posano, a tourist leaned on the sculpture Paolina Borghese Bonaparte as Venera Pobednica while attempting to mimic its pose for a photograph. The sculpture, originally commissioned by Prince Camilo Borgeze in 1804 and cast by Antonio Canova, was displayed as a plaster model for the famous marble version now housed in the Gallery of Borgeze.

In Lisbon, a young man toppled the statue of Dom Sebastião in 2016 after climbing onto the pedestal in front of a train station. These incidents underscore the ongoing challenge faced by cities and museums worldwide in protecting their cultural heritage from unintentional damage caused by tourists seeking memorable photos or social media recognition. Despite efforts to implement security measures and awareness campaigns, the frequency of such occurrences continues to raise concerns about the preservation of historical sites and artifacts.