The President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Srpska, Nenad Stevandić, will address the Saint Sava Academy in Skopje today. The Saint Sava Academy will be held on the occasion of the celebration of Saint Sava Day, the national holiday of Serbs in North Macedonia.

A Saint Sava Academy was held in Pakrac, where 100 gift packages were distributed to Serbian children from Pakrac and Western Slavonia. The gifts on the occasion of Saint Sava were provided by the Banja Luka-based Kosovo and Metohija Aid Committee in a humanitarian action and Let’s Make Peers in Kosovo and Metohija Happy conducted by the Committee through primary and secondary schools in Srpska until the end of January. The President of the Committee, Milorad Arlov, said that this was the fifth year of providing gifts for children from Pakrac and Western Slavonia. – We are pleased that the Pakrac parish and the Eparchy of Pakrac and Slavonia, with the blessing of Bishop Jovan, organize a series of Saint Sava academies and Serbian gatherings in Western Slavonia every year and that the Serbian people hold on to their customs and pass them on to children and younger generations – said Arlov.

Minister without portfolio in the Government of the Republic of Serbia in charge of monitoring the situation, proposing measures and participating in the coordination of activities in the field of relations with the diaspora, Đorđe Milićević, stated last evening that Serbs living outside the homeland were an integral part of our people – part of the same cultural, spiritual and value space that connected us, regardless of borders. At the opening of the Saint Sava Academy in Kumanovo, North Macedonia, Milićević noted that Saint Sava had taught us that a nation was not built through division, but through unity, patience, education and mutual respect. He said that such events not only preserved tradition, but also built bridges between people, generations and communities. The ceremony was also attended by the Deputy Prime Minister of North Macedonia, the Minister for Inter-Community Relations, representatives of the city of Kumanovo, representatives of the Embassy of Serbia in North Macedonia and Serbian community.

A Saint Sava Academy was organized by the Union of Serbs in Romania and Director of the Directorate for Cooperation with the Diaspora and Serbs in the Region, Vladimir Kokanović, addressed the event: ‘It was with great honor that I attended the ceremonial academy that emphasizes the importance of Saint Sava as a symbol of faith, knowledge and spiritual heritage. This day is of special value for the Serbian community in Romania, and the Union of Serbs in Romania being its support since 1989 has continuously worked to preserve the language, culture and tradition. We are proud of your efforts, many cultural and educational activities and dedication to young people. The Directorate will continue to be a partner in all projects that strengthen the Serbian community and national identity. Please accept our best wishes on Saint Sava Day, including the wish that this holiday continues to unite and inspire us.’

Source: RTRS – Government of the Republic of Serbia – Directorate for Cooperation with the Diaspora and Serbs in the Region

Photo: Courtesy photo