The event Days of the Republic of Srpska in Banat was held in Sečanj, where a large population share originates from Herzegovina, more precisely Bileća.

The event highlighted the need for unity of the Serbian people, Srpska and Serbia, especially in the times when facing great challenges.

The gathering was blessed by his Grace Bishop Nikanor of Banat.

The Head of the Republic of Srpska Representative Office in Serbia, Mlađen Cicović, said that such events showed the unity of the people and the SOC.

‘By taking the initiative for this event, Bishop Nikanor has showed us how important it is for Serbs to gather around the Serbian Orthodox Church, to maintain contact with their homeland, preserve their culture and traditions, but also to be committed to the development of the place where they came and stayed to live permanently,’ said Cicović.

He noted that that evening’s academy primarily showed the tradition of the Serbian people who had moved to Banat in different historical periods, while sending at the same time a message of never more needed unity and sobornost, never more important understanding of how significant for us is all the work to preserve the Serbian identity, our culture and traditions, Serbian language and Cyrillic.

‘The Eparchy of Banat, being the organizer of this evening’s academy, is working continuously on gathering our compatriots and I hope that gatherings like this one will continue,’ Cicović added.

Welcoming the audience, the President of Sečanj municipality, Nebojša Meljanac, said that they traditionally maintained very good relations with the Republic of Srpska in this municipality.

‘People from that area come regularly here to us, many of their relatives live here, and that is why it is a great honor for us to gather so many of you at the Republic of Srpska Days event here in Banat, which is held in our Sečanj this year and which connects our people. This is how it must continue! This is how we live and this is how we teach our children. I am glad that more and more young people are taking part in safeguarding the culture and tradition and that they are preserving the spirit of our Orthodoxy,’ said Meljanac.

The artistic program of the academy included the choir Sveti Serafim Sarovski from Zrenjanin, the singing group Ercegovina from Sečanj, the cultural and artistic society Vlado Tomanović from Sečanj, the cultural and artistic society Dr Borislav Jankulov from Jaša Tomić, the cultural and artistic society Jandrija Tomić – Ćić from Krajišnik, Dejan Milićević, a young guslar from Bileća.

Source and photo: Republic of Srpska Representative Office in Serbia