The Day of Serbian Unity, Freedom and the National Flag is a national holiday celebrated on 15 September in the Republic of Srpska and Serbia, symbolically established on the day of the Salonika Front breakthrough. It has been celebrated since 2020.

The Day of Serbian Unity, Freedom and the National Flag was proudly celebrated in Vienna. The ceremony was held at the Hallmann Dome.

Minister of European Integration and International Cooperation Zlatan Klokić said that this day was a vow to future generations – to cherish unity, preserve freedom and raise the tricolor high as a symbol of our pride and steadfastness.

He conveyed greetings from the President of Srpska, Milorad Dodik, and the Serb member of BiH Presidency, Željka Cvijanović.

Today we have shown that wherever we live, one flag and one heart unite us.

Serbian Ambassador to Austria Marko Blagojević said that today in Vienna we recalled everything that connects and brings us together, remembering the glorious Serbian history embodied in the fight for freedom.

– We must keep the vow of unity staying committed to the prosperity of our country. The flag is not only a symbol, but also an obligation to be worthy of what it represents – said Blagojević.

The Ambassador pointed out the difficult position of the Serbian population in KiM, but also in the Republic of Srpska, where, according to him, they were faced with challenging legitimate institutions and the elected representative Milorad Dodik.

Recalling the support and efforts of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, Blagojević stated it noteworthy that the unbreakable ties between Serbia and Srpska were a further foundation in preserving the Serbian people and national identity.

Minister without portfolio in charge of coordinating activities and measures in the field of relations with the diaspora, Đorđe Milićević, said that unity was needed today more than ever.

As he said, the times we live in are neither easy nor simple, and the Balkans, Europe and the world are going through a turbulent period.

– Only if we are assembled and united, can we preserve the stability, peace and strength of Serbia – said Milićević.

Milićević also noted that the Serbian flag was a sign of the unity of the Serbian people wherever they live.

According to him, the Serbian diaspora is the pride of Serbia, and its representatives raise the reputation of the Serbian name with their work, honesty and success.

He conveyed best wishes for the Day of Serbian Unity, Freedom and the National Flag from Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Prime Minister Đuro Macut.

The President of the Alliance of Serbs in Austria, Mladen Filipović, said that today, more than ever, the date had a special symbolism for Serbs around the world.

We are a people scattered across continents, but we are connected by the tricolor, the same faith and the aspiration to remain one. Our strength is in unity, Filipović said.

He stated that the mission of the Alliance of Serbs in Austria was to preserve faith, culture and identity, but also to contribute to Austrian society because, as he said, that was the way to demonstrate the strength of the Serbian people.

– Our identity is based on unity and love for our people. Let this day be a vow that we will remain united and preserve our roots and proudly carry the Serbian flag wherever we are – said Filipović.

The ceremony in Vienna opened with the anthems of Serbia - God of Justice and of the Republic of Srpska - Moja Republika, performed by opera singers Ljubica Vranješ and Dragoljub Bajić, accompanied by the Serbian Academic Ensemble.

The ceremony was also graced by performances by the cultural and artistic societies Branko Radičević, Stevan Mokranjac, Kolo and Zajednica Salzburg from Austria, and participation of the actor Lepomir Ivković in the cultural and artistic program.

The event was attended by representatives of the vast Serbian diaspora in Vienna, representatives of the Freedom Party of Austria, advisor to the director of EXPO 2027 and sports legend Dejan Tomašević, Mayor of Trebinje Mirko Ćurić, representatives of the diplomatic corps, as well as representatives of the church community, clergy of the Serbian Orthodox Church and others.

The Day of Serbian Unity, Freedom and the National Flag is being celebrated outside Serbia’s borders for the third consecutive year.

It was first celebrated in Frankfurt in 2023, then in Munich, and this year the ceremony was held in the Austrian capital, where an estimated 200,000 Serbs live.

Source: Ministry of European Integration and International Cooperation – RTRS – Radio Trebinje – Srna

Photo: Ministry of European Integration and International Cooperation