Under the slogan Unity and Pride, Serbia and Republic of Srpska marked their Statehood Day Sretenje (Candlemas) with a series of events from Banja Luka, Višegrad, Orašac and Kragujevac to Belgrade. In Belgrade, on the occasion of Sretenje, more than 70 decorations were awarded to deserving individuals and institutions for their contribution to society. Their efforts, work and commitments were honored not only for their merits, but also for being an inspiration to others. Among them is Nikica Grubor, an abdominal surgeon at the Clinical Center Serbia and a professor at the Faculty of Medicine in Belgrade. Born in Drvar, today he is one of the leading abdominal surgeons. He selflessly shares his knowledge by often visiting and operating in hospitals in Banja Luka and Trebinje.

Željka Cvijanović, the Serb member of the Presidency of BiH, says – Serbs have experienced historical events together and are looking to the future together. – We know the importance of Sretenje, we know how important it is that what is called the national substance remains assembled and united, as it was in the past, to remain in the future – said the Serb member of the Presidency of BiH, Željka Cvijanović.

SNSD President Milorad Dodik stated that Serbia and Srpska stood side by side in pride and responsibility, but also in the belief that the years of strength, unity and progress lay ahead for the Serbian people. – We want to preserve our common identity, our common space, everything that connects us. We are one people and those who try to prohibit or see something bad in that identity, which is undoubtedly a matter of history, a matter of people, a community, are increasingly and above all ridiculous – stated the President of the SNSD Milorad Dodik.

A ceremonial reception was held in Vienna on the occasion of Sretenje – the Day of the Statehood of Serbia and the Day of the Statehood of the Republic of Srpska, emphasizing on that occasion the importance of unity and sobornost, as well as the support of Austrian institutions for such an event. The Head of the Republic of Srpska Representative Office in Austria, Mladen Filipović, said that the reception was attended by a large number of guests from the diplomatic corps, business, Serbian diaspora and representatives of their associations, Serbian Orthodox Church; and ceremonial speech was delivered by the President of the Austrian Parliament, Walter Rosenkranz. This, said Filipović, was a great honor for the Serbian community, the diplomatic corps and the Representation, having a high-ranking /Austrian/ official support this gathering, organized by the Embassy of Serbia, with the support of the Representation of the Republic of Srpska. – It is noteworthy that this joint holiday of the Republic of Srpska and Serbia is also celebrated in Vienna, where a large number of our people live and work, with the support of the institutions of Austria. This is especially important because of Sretenje, which is the most important holiday for the Serbian people, and because we have shown unity and sobornost and that the Drina River is our backbone – said Filipović.

Sretenje, as Statehood Day, is celebrated in memory of the 1804 First Serbian Uprising in Orašac and the 1835 adoption of the first modern Constitution of Serbia in Kragujevac. Under the slogan Unity and Pride, Sretenje is celebrated in Serbia and Republic of Srpska, in accordance with the Declaration on the Protection of National and Political Rights and the Common Future of the Serbian People, adopted at the All-Serbian Assembly in Belgrade in 2024.

Source: RTRS – SRNA

Photo: Milorad Dodik