Republika Srpska, Serbia, and the entire Serb nation, wherever they live, are celebrating a unique holiday today, said the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik, at the official reception held in the Palace of the Republic.
Dodik extended his congratulations to the Serb people, expressing his hope that they continue to commemorate this holiday for many years to come.
“Republika Srpska is the Serbs’ drive for freedom in this region. It took more than 100 years to reinstate and establish this holiday as one celebrating our freedom, unity, and flag. The day when the Salonika front was broken through, when the unified Serb army brought freedom not only to Serbia but to other nations in the Balkans as well, without imagining that by the end of the same century, those who brought freedom would try to demonize the Serb people,” said Dodik.
He emphasized that “this day is not directed against anyone; it is a day of our unity, and we have a right to it.”
“We always had that right, even when others told us that we shouldn’t celebrate it because it would offend or diminish them,” Dodik remarked.
Dodik underscored that “nothing has shaken the Serb soldier from being strong and nationally conscious.”
“We have endured everything, but we must remember that many of our soldiers and people gave their lives for what we enjoy today—the freedom we live. This is the fourth time we are marking this holiday. President Aleksandar Vučić of Serbia and I agreed to do this and to restore unity to our people. This is not unusual for other nations. The Serb people have lived through difficult times, occupations, invasions, and had the courage to stand against the greatest powers of their time. Serbs have never tolerated aggressors,” Dodik stated.
He pointed out that “no one will give you unity, but others will take it away.”
“If you lack awareness of the need for unity, you will not have it. We must never neglect it. Freedom is always tied to our states. We haven’t lost our unity or desire for freedom, and sometimes that is stronger than any weapon, as our ancestors showed,” concluded Dodik.
Source: RTRS
