It is extremely important for Republika Srpska and Serbia to jointly celebrate Sretenje, as well as other national holidays, and to strengthen Serb unity, stated historian Aleksandar Raković.
He believes that any negative reaction from Sarajevo and the Western international community to the Sretenje gathering in Banja Luka, marking the Statehood Day of Republika Srpska and the Statehood Day of Serbia, only confirms that the Serb people are on the right path.
“The most important thing is that we celebrate our holidays together; everything else is completely irrelevant. Any positive reaction from them towards us would indicate that we are not on the right path. They are disturbed by Serb unity, and that is clear. Because of that, we must strengthen Serb unity as much as possible,” Raković told Srna.
Raković emphasizes that Serb unity must always be reflected and visible through the institutions of Serbia and Republika Srpska, as well as the Serbian Orthodox Church.
“It is very important that Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik, Speaker of the Montenegrin Parliament Andrija Mandić, and His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Porfirije gather together and demonstrate unity and solidarity to our people,” said Raković.
According to him, this provides essential strength to the entire Serb people and sends a message that they are one and indivisible, regardless of all challenges and hardships.
Raković also revealed that he received an invitation from President Dodik to attend the Statehood Day celebrations in Banja Luka, but unfortunately, he is unable to do so due to his continued entry ban into Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“I have heard that Sarajevo’s political establishment refuses to even discuss lifting the ban on Zakhar Prilepin and me. I consider it an honor to be taken so seriously because it means I have done a lot of good for the Serb people,” said Raković.
He is convinced that the Sretenje gathering in Republika Srpska and Serbia will be beneficial for all, especially given that this major state and religious holiday comes at a time when Serbia is facing pressures from the collective West.
“We are witnessing clear actions by the collective West against our country, and we are facing a situation where people in Serbia—our neighbors, friends, relatives, and brothers—are divided. The situation in Serbia is complex because we are not dealing with an external enemy but rather internal tensions,” said Raković.
He described the current circumstances as “irregular” rather than “extraordinary.”
“We are in an irregular situation ahead of our major state and religious holiday. Universities are not operating, schools are partially functioning, and there are various real problems. That is why it is important that at least on Sretenje, we try to unify the Serb people,” he stated.
Raković emphasized that dialogue is crucial in gradually resolving issues to improve stability in Serbia.
He pointed out that it is essential to maintain a respectful tone at both the gathering in Sremska Mitrovica, organized by Vučić, and the one in Kragujevac, organized by opposition protest supporters.
According to him, this is a major test for the Serb people—to prove whether they are mature enough to navigate this situation and emerge stronger.
“We must continue living together, so it is essential to ease tensions and work towards overcoming this situation, which we have not faced since October 5, 2000. The Serb state and the Serbian Orthodox Church are above all of us, and we all must contribute to their preservation,” Raković stressed.
Regarding the declaration on Vojvodina, which President Vučić recently announced, Raković believes that no such declaration is needed but that Vojvodina’s autonomy should be abolished.
“I see no reason why the issue of abolishing Vojvodina’s autonomy, which was established in 1945 as part of a communist strategy to divide the Serb nation, should not be raised. Why should Serbia today uphold such a legacy?” Raković questioned.
He further pointed out that the ethnic composition of Vojvodina today is such that any attempt at separatism would be futile.
Source: RTRS
