A ceremonial academy marking the Day of Serb Unity, Freedom and the National Flag was held in Banja Luka, bringing together officials from Republika Srpska and Serbia, representatives of institutions and several thousand citizens.
Serbs do not build their identity on hatred toward others, but on love for their own people, Milorad Dodik said at the ceremony.
“I greet Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, who laid the foundations for this holiday. Back in 2020, we discussed this together, and we have now reached the point where we celebrate and commemorate our shared dates,” Dodik said.
Republika Srpska Prime Minister Savo Minić said that freedom is a word that inspires the Serb people and represents an essential part of their identity.
“A homeland can exist only when it is free. Republika Srpska and Serbia constitute a single homeland space. It is our duty to teach our children how important freedom is – and freedom has no price,” Minić said.
Serbian Prime Minister Đuro Macut said that Serbia and Republika Srpska are preserving freedom, dignity and their people wherever they live.
“This is the best way to demonstrate what Serb unity looks like. I also come from this side of the Drina. I am glad to have returned to my home. Some hoped that we would not be here, but here I am, together with ministers from the Serbian government,” Macut said.
Serbian Patriarch Porfirije said he considers Republika Srpska his home.
“I am always happy when I return to the land of my grandfathers and great-grandfathers,” Patriarch Porfirije said.
He added that he felt deeply blessed that those gathered had come together to demonstrate that they are “one people, one faith and one church.”
“We know very well that there are different forms of unity – economic, social, psychological, biological, religious and national. But we also know that most forms of unity have a limited duration. They have their beginning and their end, and many forms of unity eventually turn into their opposite. No matter how significant their values may be, they cannot necessarily endure,” Patriarch Porfirije said.
The ceremony was attended by Republika Srpska President Siniša Karan, Republika Srpska Prime Minister Savo Minić, Serbian Prime Minister Đuro Macut, National Assembly Speaker Nenad Stevandić, Serb member of the BiH Presidency Željka Cvijanović, Milorad Dodik and Serbian Patriarch Porfirije.
Ministers from the governments of Republika Srpska and Serbia, representatives of Republika Srpska in joint BiH institutions, members of parliament and several thousand citizens also attended.
The ceremony at Borik Sports Hall opened with the national anthems of Republika Srpska, “Moja Republika,” and Serbia, “Bože pravde.”
The joint commemoration was established in 2020 with the aim of strengthening the unity of the Serb people in Serbia and Republika Srpska.
September 15 was chosen as the Day of Serb Unity, Freedom and the National Flag because it marks the anniversary of the breakthrough of the Salonica Front during World War I.
The Republika Srpska Ministry of Labor and Veterans’ and Disability Protection called on citizens, representatives of cities and municipalities, institutions and organizations to join the commemoration by displaying the flag of Republika Srpska and the Serbian national flag on their homes, institutions and other appropriate locations.
Source: RTRS
