Republic Day is being marked today in Banja Luka with a series of commemorative events. Wreaths were laid at the Sveti Pantelejija Cemetery and at the Square of the Fallen Fighters of the National Liberation War (NOR). Wreath-laying ceremonies are also scheduled at the City Cemetery in Pobrđe and at the Memorial to the 12 Babies.
Wreaths laid at the ossuary memorial
On behalf of the institutions of Republika Srpska, wreaths were laid by National Assembly Speaker Nenad Stevandić, Minister of Labour and Veterans’ and Disabled Persons’ Protection Danijel Egić, and Minister of Justice Goran Selak.
At the ossuary memorial, wreaths were also laid by delegations from Serbia, organizations formed from the Defensive-Patriotic War, the Union of NOR Associations of Republika Srpska, the Third Infantry Regiment (Republika Srpska), the City of Banja Luka, and other cities and municipalities across Republika Srpska.
Wreaths laid at the Square of the Fallen Fighters of the NOR
Wreaths were laid on behalf of Republika Srpska institutions by National Assembly Speaker Nenad Stevandić, the Serb member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Željka Cvijanović, a Government delegation led by Prime Minister Savo Minić, and SNSD leader Milorad Dodik.
At the monument to fallen NOR fighters, wreaths were laid by representatives of the Council of Peoples, representatives of Republika Srpska in joint institutions, as well as a delegation from Serbia.
Flowers were also laid by delegations of SUBNOR, organizations stemming from the Defensive-Patriotic War, municipalities and cities, and the Third Infantry Regiment (Republika Srpska).
Wreaths laid at Sveti Pantelejija Cemetery: Paying tribute to those who built Republika Srpska with their lives
Wreaths were laid by National Assembly Speaker Nenad Stevandić, Prime Minister Savo Minić, Serb Presidency member Željka Cvijanović, ministers of the Republika Srpska Government, SNSD leader Milorad Dodik, a delegation from Serbia, and representatives of organizations formed from the Defensive-Patriotic War.
On the occasion of Republic Day, wreaths were also laid by a delegation of the Council of Peoples, representatives of Republika Srpska in joint institutions, a delegation of the City of Banja Luka, representatives of other cities and municipalities, and the Third Infantry Regiment (Republika Srpska).
SNSD leader Milorad Dodik said that the decision to form Republika Srpska was a historic covenant, stressing that even after 34 years it remains alive, stable, and viable.
He emphasized that Republika Srpska was founded in Pale and established by the National Assembly and its leaders—Radovan Karadžić, Momčilo Krajišnik, Biljana Plavšić, Nikola Koljević, and others—with the intention that it never be something temporary or short-lived.
“These visionary decisions are part of the covenant of Serb national history, because the creation of Republika Srpska was the only possible and realistic solution for Bosnia and Herzegovina after the breakup of the former Yugoslavia, with the aim of achieving an agreement for peaceful coexistence,” Dodik said.
Prime Minister Savo Minić stated that marking Republic Day on January 9 is an opportunity to pay tribute to those who inscribed their lives into the foundations of Republika Srpska, without which, he said, the Serb people would not exist in these areas today.
“With the greatest respect, we want to honor the fighters who gave their lives for Republika Srpska, as well as all those who later built it and had the vision and clear goal for Republika Srpska to exist, to be strong, and to unite the Serb people,” Minić said.
Serb Presidency member Željka Cvijanović said that Republika Srpska has always been protected by the love of its people and the strength of its institutions, adding that a brighter future lies ahead.
“When citizens and institutions are working toward the same goal, Republika Srpska is stable,” Cvijanović said.
She stressed that historical facts must be respected and that Republic Day celebrations rightly begin with wreath-laying for fallen fighters of the Defensive-Patriotic War, who defended in wartime what had been created in freedom—Republika Srpska.
Cvijanović congratulated the citizens of Republika Srpska on Republic Day, January 9, wishing them continued life in a stable and peaceful Republika Srpska that will continue to develop.
National Assembly Speaker Nenad Stevandić stated in Banja Luka that Republika Srpska, in its 34th year of existence, remains unbroken and committed to preserving its dignity and its constitutional and legal capacities.
He noted that Republika Srpska was created under impossible geopolitical conditions, but that those who demonized and bombed it ultimately signed its creation in Dayton.
At 3:00 p.m., the unveiling of the Central Memorial to Fighters (1991–1995) is scheduled at the Square of Serb Heroes, followed by a ceremonial academy at 5:00 p.m. in the Borik Sports Hall, and a formal reception at 6:00 p.m. at the headquarters of the Republika Srpska Government.
On Friday, January 9, a liturgy will be served at 9:00 a.m. in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, followed by a ceremonial parade at 12:00 p.m. at Krajina Square.
January 9 is celebrated as Republic Day because on that date in 1992 Republika Srpska was established under its original name, the Republic of the Serb People in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Republika Srpska was founded by Serb deputies in the then Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina after they were outvoted on key issues concerning the survival of Yugoslavia, while representatives of the other two peoples moved toward secession against the will of the Serbs, who held the status of a constituent people.
The name Republic of the Serb People in Bosnia and Herzegovina was used until February 28, 1992, when the first Constitution was proclaimed. It was then replaced by the name Serb Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, used until August 12, 1992, when the name Serb Republic was introduced. In September 1992, it was changed to its current name—Republika Srpska.
This year’s Republic Day is being marked under the slogan “The hearth will live.”
Source: RTRS
