Serbian community of Milwaukee, United States of America, celebrated the thirtieth birthday of the Republic of Srpska.

About 500 guests attended the central ceremony, including special guests: Head of the Republic of Srpska Representative Office in Washington Obrad Kesić, Serbian Consul in Chicago Milan Varadinović, and first counselor of the Serbian Embassy in Washington Jovana Nedić, as well as many representatives of Serbian associations, clubs and organizations.

Many people originating from the Republic of Srpska also attended the central event, including veterans of the Army of the Republic of Srpska and Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Srpska.

In his keynote address, the Head of the Republic of Srpska Representation in Washington, Obrad Kesić, greeted all the attendees on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Srpska, the President of the Republic of Srpska Željka Cvijanović, and Serb member of the Presidency of BiH Milorad Dodik.

He thanked those present for the great support and love demonstrated for the Republic of Srpska, in particular at this critical time, important for the defense of the Republic of Srpska and for the return of competencies that had been taken away illegally.

He extended special gratitude to all those who had taken part in the Patriotic War and those who had sacrificed for the creation of the Republic of Srpska.

‘Your support and activism in US political life mean a lot to all people in the Republic of Srpska, especially in communicating with members of the US Congress, which is welcome and opens space for better understanding and cooperation between the Republic of Srpska and the United States.’

The second day of the celebration continued in the Milwaukee Bucks Arena, where Serbs from the Milwaukee area gathered again with traditional music and kolo dancing. They came to the basketball game that the hosts played against the Denver Nuggets carrying numerous banners and flags proudly indicating their Serbian origin. Among these flags were numerous flags of the Republic of Srpska.

With their performance of a set of dances from Serbia at the game’s halftime, members of the Šumadija folk dance group from the Milwaukee St. Sava church community won all the sympathies of the local and numerous Serbian audience.

Source and photo: Republic of Srpska Representative Office in the United States