This year, the Republic of Srpska and Serbia are celebrating Sretenje (Candlemas) – the Statehood Day of Serbia and Statehood Day of the Republic of Srpska together for the first time, beginning today in Banja Luka with a ceremonial academy.

The two-day Sretenje celebration in Banja Luka will be attended by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, who will arrive today for a two-day official visit to the Republic of Srpska.

The office of Srpska’s President, Milorad Dodik, previously announced that today and the following two days, on Saturday and Sunday, the Palace of the Republic would be illuminated in the colors of the Serbian tricolor.

The ceremonial academy on the occasion of Sretenje – the Statehood Day of the Republic of Serbia and Statehood Day of the Republic of Srpska will take place at 18:00h in the Borik sports hall in Banja Luka.

According to the Protocol of the Republic of Srpska Presidency, on Friday, 14 February, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić will receive a ceremonial welcome with full state honors in front of the Palace of the Republic.

It is planned that after that, the President of the Republic of Srpska, Milorad Dodik, and the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, hold a tête-à-tête, followed by a meeting of the delegations of the Republic of Srpska and Serbia.

On the same day at noon, decorations will be awarded to meritorious individuals and organizations at Banski Dvor – Cultural Center in Banja Luka, and after that, the new facility of the Orthopedic Surgery Clinic at the Dr Miroslav Zotović Institute in Slatina will be ceremonially opened.

The joint celebration of Sretenje – the Statehood Day of Serbia and Statehood Day of the Republic of Srpska is one of the conclusions of the Declaration adopted at the All-Serbian Assembly last year in Belgrade.

Source: Nezavisne novine

Photo: Republic of Srpska Government