15.02.2025.

Minister Gašić attends central state ceremony in Orašac

Minister of Defence Bratislav Gašić and Chief of the Serbian Armed Forces General Staff General Milan Mojsilović attended the central state ceremony marking Sretenje (Candlemas) - Statehood Day of the Republic of Serbia and Statehood Day of Republika Srpska, near the Karađorđe Monument in Orašac today.

The ceremony began by paying respects to the rebels and a prayer for the country, which was carried out by His Eminence Jovan, Archbishop of Kragujevac and Metropolitan of Šumadija, and priests. Next, Serbian Prime Minister Miloš Vučević, acting as the envoy of President Aleksandar Vučić, and the Prime Minister of Republika Srpska, Radovan Višković, laid wreaths near the Karađorđe Monument.

Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Vučević emphasized that “through faith, hope and unity, which is always necessary, we can overcome all the challenges lying ahead”.

- As Serbia celebrates the Presentation of the Lord, it also celebrates its encounter with freedom. In 1804, the persecuted, oppressed and humiliated gathered in Orašac to make fateful decisions. Surrender was not an option, as it is not today nor will it be in the future - said Prime Minister Vučević and added that “the vow to that freedom continues to serve as a warning of the need to vigilantly safeguard the country’s independence”.

The Prime Minister of Republika Srpska said that they were gathered "at a holy place, on the holy Serbian land, where the seed of the Serbian people’s freedom was planted in Orašac 221 years ago".

- Freedom is sacred to the Serbs. It is a holy word, a holy covenant. Even today, the freedom of the Serbian people is being attacked. The people of Republika Srpska know best how dearly we paid for the freedom and survival of Serbs in Bosnia and Herzegovina at the end of the last century - said Višković and added that "due to our unity, harmony and brotherhood, the freedom of the Serbian people continues, no matter where they live".

Minister Gašić emphasized the importance of Serbia and Srpska celebrating Statehood Day together, because “Serbs, no matter where they live, always strive for unity, harmony, peace and freedom”.

- This year, Serbia and Srpska celebrate Statehood Day together for the first time, although Serbs living on both sides of the Drina have been celebrating all important dates and anniversaries together for years, with the same goal - to preserve unity. Let's protect Serbia and Srpska, because in these challenging times, that is the only way we can overcome all the difficulties.

Only if we are united can we make it happen and leave strong and stable Serbia and Srpska to future generations. Happy Statehood Day - Minister Gašić said.
The state ceremony was attended by Serbia’s and Srpska’s presidents of the national assemblies, government ministers, members of the Defence Minister’s and the Chief of the General Staff’s respective collegiums, representatives of Serbian and RS state institutions, representatives of the diplomatic corps, military diplomats, cadets, military school students and citizens.

The central state ceremony marking Statehood Day is traditionally held, with the highest state and military honours, in Orašac, where the decision to stage a rebellion against the Turks was made.