15.09.2020.

Minister Vulin at the celebration of the Day of Serbian Unity, Freedom and the National Flag

The celebration of the Day of Serbian Unity, Freedom and the National Flag – 15th September was held this evening on the Square of Serbian Rulers in Banja Luka.

The event was attended by the Minister of Defence Aleksandar Vulin, the Envoy of the President of the Republic of Serbia and the Supreme Commander of the Serbian Armed Forces Aleksandar Vučić, and the members of the delegation of the Ministry of Defence and the Serbian Armed Forces.

The President of the Republic of Serbia and the Supreme Commander of the Serbian Armed Forces Aleksandar Vučić addressed the audience via video link emphasizing that this is an important day for Serbia and Republika Srpska.

- Today we celebrate unity and freedom. There are no higher or more important values than the unity of our people and freedom for which our ancestors always fought and for which we will always have to fight in the future – emphasized President Vučić pointing out the historical significance of the chosen date – 15 September, the day when the Salonica front breakthrough took place.

As President Vučić pointed out, that is why it is important that our response be unanimous today when we face numerous challenges and pressures from around the world, when we realize that, regardless of our economic successes, difficult days still await our people.

- Our response must be unity and fighting for the freedom of our people with clever political resources. And if we, Serbs, unite, and this is not just a national holiday but an all-Serbian holiday, we can overcome all troubles and solve all problems and ensure and guarantee the future of our children – President Vučić said congratulating all Serbs, wherever they live, on the holiday.

The President of Republika Srpska Željka Cvijanović pointed out that she is proud to be celebrating an important national holiday with Serbia for the first time, “the holiday that should become the symbol of our unity, freedom-loving tradition and gathering”.

- Throughout history, the fight for freedom always meant a great sacrifice and suffering. No one gave it to us, nor did we beg anyone for it. Therefore, no one can take away our right to celebrate together, with flags raised high, our unity, brotherly relations and our tricolour and the rich freedom-loving tradition – emphasized President Cvijanović.

Opening the event, Serbian member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Milorad Dodik emphasized that this is a special and unique day, “the day when we gather together in our Serbian unity, our freedom and what our national flag represents”. He expressed gratitude to President Vučić for the initiative to mark this holiday.

- This day, more than any other, highlights the Serbian national and state interest - our unity, which we need and which has shown over the centuries the strength of the fight against huge challenges that we have faced throughout history - Dodik pointed out, adding that this holiday marks the beginning of a new approach to the Serbian national relationship which is reflected in our unity.

The first celebration of the Day of Serbian Unity, Freedom and the National Flag was characterized by a rich cultural and artistic program, and it began with playing the anthems of Republika Srpska and the Republic of Serbia. Parts of the film produced by the Military Film Centre "Zastava Film" about the first Serbian war photographer Rista Marjanović, who photographed the entire Serbian suffering during the Great War with his camera, was also shown.

Actors of the Academy of Dramatic Arts from Belgrade and Banja Luka read out parts of the play "Thessalonians Speak" by Antonio Đurić, the Police Orchestra of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Republika Srpska performed music, and the ceremony was marked by performances by numerous artists.