Serbia celebrated Candlemas – its Statehood Day, 220 years since the First Serbian Uprising and 189 years since the Sretenje Constitution, which started the development of the modern Serbian state. Events were held in Orašac, Oplenac, Kragujevac and Belgrade.

The central event in Orašac was attended by the President of the Republic of Srpska, Milorad Dodik, together with many officials of Serbia and Republic of Srpska. The ceremony was also attended by the Minister of European Integration and International Cooperation, Zlatan Klokić.

A ceremonial parade, drones, cavalry, fireworks in the cities of Srpska and Serbia. Celebrations were held in Belgrade, Novi Sad, Niš and Kragujevac, joined by 10 cities of Srpska – Banja Luka, Istočno Sarajevo, Zvornik, Doboj, Prijedor, Gradiška, Derventa, Trebinje, Laktaši.

In addition to the First Serbian Uprising, when Serbs laid the foundations of freedom, this date is also associated with the adoption of the Sretenje Constitution in 1835 – the modern Serbian state.

A stable and strong Serbia is what the Serbs on the other side of the Drina also desire, said the President of the Republic of Srpska, Milorad Dodik, emphasizing that the unity of the Serbian people was unwavering and indestructible.

He reminded that, fighting against the Turkish occupier, also the Serbs in BiH raised 146 rebellions and uprisings.

– This says that we are a unique nation, that our identity has not been suppressed, which is why today no one has the right to any other political, social and mental construction, except the construction of Serbian unity, Serbian gathering in the fight for the strongest possible Serbia, for the strongest possible Republic of Srpska, in the fight for the strongest possible Serbian people. In terms of values, we need to gather around what is the Serbian world and, without any hesitation, to value our identity, our language, script, national affiliation, religion and slava – Dodik said.

The President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, presented more than 100 decorations to prominent individuals and institutions.

Recipients from the Republic of Srpska are President of the National Assembly Nenad Stevandić, President of the Academy of Sciences and Arts of the Republic of Srpska Rajko Kuzmanović, National Theater of the Republic of Srpska, actors Nikola Pejaković and Biljana Čekić.

– Why do we see Miloš and Karađorđe together today? Because we should learn from both of them how to deal today with uneasy times. That is why today it is important to be wise, but not at all costs. Only one thing has no price for Serbs and Serbia. Freedom has no price and will never have it – Vučić said.

Decoration recipients include authors and diplomats from Montenegro, Hungary, Russia, China, Slovakia, and Spain.

The Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Canada organized a reception on the occasion of Serbian Statehood Day, which was attended by more than 230 guests, and Niagara Falls were illuminated in the colors of the Serbian flag on the occasion of Serbian Statehood Day.

The ceremony at the Serbian Embassy in Canada was attended by representatives of the Senate of Canada, the House of Commons of Canadian Parliament, representatives of the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, diplomatic corps, Serbian diaspora and other guests.

Serbian Ambassador Dejan Ralević and Canadian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexandre Lévêque emphasized the traditionally good relations between Serbia and Canada at the reception.

Ralević and Lévêque noted in particular the importance of the Serbian diaspora that connects the two countries and the increasingly significant economic cooperation.

Source: Ministry of European Integration and International Cooperation – RTRS – Tanjug

Photo: Ministry of European Integration and International Cooperation