The Day of the Republic of Srpska was also marked in Canada. The first virtual celebration on the occasion of 9 January was organized by the Canadian-Serbian Alliance. This umbrella organization of Canadian Serbs extended greetings to the officials of Srpska, the believing people, and all those wishing progress for the Republic of Srpska.

Wherever they are and under whatever flag they live, they carry the Serbian Tricolor in their hearts, and birthday of the Republic is the biggest holiday for many Serbs in the diaspora. Unity, sobornost, harmony and freedom guide the Serbian community in Canada. Due to the pandemic, there was no gathering and entertainment, which did not prevent the Serbian community there to use a virtual celebration to extend greetings and remind of the importance of the youngest Serbian Republic as well as the preservation of the Dayton Agreement which granted international recognition to Srpska.

– Because of all the above, it is very important that we do not deviate from our path and do not lose what is the foundation of our society, that we do not alienate each other. To disregard disagreements as the Serbian people, to come out of this evil as better people. Dear friends, I wish you a happy Day of the Republic of Srpska – said the Ambassador of BiH to Canada, Marko Milisav.

The Serbs living across the ocean know that their home base and the youngest Republic have been fighting international windmills for decades. Srpska is being persistently disputed, and Kosmet taken away from Serbia.

– It is important that we all look to the future without looking back at the blows received daily. There are blows even today, especially if someone wants to trample on international law and deny the Republic of Srpska – the Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to Canada, Dejan Ralević, pointed out.

The Consul General of the Republic of Serbia in Toronto, Vasilije Petković, emphasized that 9 January was one of the most important dates in the history of Serbs.

– The existence of Srpska guarantees the rights to survival of Serbs west of the river Drina. That is why we must not forget the victims. The Serbian community in Canada is well aware of the price paid for the freedom of the Serbian people. Happy holiday – said Petković.

The Serbian Heritage Academy (SHA) is taking care of the preservation of the Serbian language and culture in Canada. Their goal is to encourage and promote Serbian cultural heritage and help new Serbian immigrants.

– The Serbian Heritage Academy aims to support the development of the Serbian language, education, folklore and preservation of the Serbian cultural heritage, to help in contacts between scientists - emphasized Ljiljana Marković from the SHA.

Two guslar societies in Canada cultivate the tradition of Serbian song. All nations write their tradition, Serbs sing theirs. Gusle is a Serbian biblical primordial folk instrument that keeps from oblivion everything that many would like to be forgotten.

Source: RTRS