Day of Liberation of Goražde, which endured 1,336 days of brutal siege by the aggressor, marked

(Patria) - With the completion of operations "Krug" and "Drina", members of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina achieved an extraordinary success on this day 33 years ago, liberating over 600 km² of occupied Goražde territory.

In the city that endured 1,336 days of the most brutal siege in history, with immense human and material losses, September 18 is a symbol of heroic resistance to aggression and a date that reminds of the dignified defense by the city's defenders.

In their honor, delegations of the executive and legislative authorities, armed forces, veterans' associations, and many others gathered this morning at the central memorial monument, inscribed with the names of fallen defenders, and laid flowers.



Tribute was then paid to the fallen members of the police, Commander Zaim Imamović, and the murdered children of this city during the period 1992-1995.

Along with numerous citizens, representatives of the legislative and executive authorities of the BPK, the City of Goražde, and local communities, high officials of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina attended the commemoration.

Among them were Alija Kožljak, head of the cabinet of the BiH Presidency member Denis Bećirović, BiH Minister of Foreign Affairs Elmedin Konaković, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly Denis Zvizdić, and Prime Minister of Sarajevo Canton Nihad UK.

At the ceremonial academy held on this occasion in the Grand Hall of the Public Institution "Centar za kulturu" Goražde, memories were evoked of the time when freedom was defended and preserved on the Drina, and the need for joint engagement in building a better future for all citizens in this part of Bosnia and Herzegovina was emphasized.

With special thanks to all the defenders, thanks to whose bravery Goražde remained the only unconquered city on the Drina, congratulations were extended to the citizens by the Mayor of Goražde Ernest Imamović and the Prime Minister of BPK Goražde Edin Ćulov.

- We are proud that in that fight, despite injustice and suffering, we remained dignified. Therefore, today we can rightly say that we have done great deeds. Deeds of resistance to evil. Deeds of protecting honor, life, and freedom, but the fight for justice is not over.

The residents of this region, which was under siege for a full 1,336 days, will never stop seeking truth, justice, and the prosecution of those responsible for crimes against the civilian population.

This is not revenge, it is our moral obligation, and we must never forget the fact that we were defended by the courage of our defenders and the sacrifice and blood of martyrs - stated Ćulov.



Mayor Ernest Imamović emphasized the need for joint confrontation with the challenges crucial for the development of Goražde and BPK in the future.

- The fragmented political scene in BPK creates an environment of mutual accusations and obstructions, lowering the level of political culture, which slows down the overall economic and social development of the city, from which citizens suffer the most damage.

If, in the coming period, the key political and social actors in Goražde unite around key goals, just as the fighters and commanders united in the summer of 1992 before the liberation action, we will achieve the key goal, which is the faster development of our city and canton, a place of pleasant life and work to which people return and do not leave - said Imamović.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of BiH Elmedin Konaković also paid tribute to the citizens and defenders of Goražde.

- Today we are again and once more in Goražde to bow and thank the rarely seen courage of the people, individuals, and territory that Goražde showed during the defense against the aggression on BiH.

Today we are here to remember those who gave their lives and body parts, and those who preserved the borders, territorial integrity, and sovereignty of BiH, for which the fight continues today, but it is built on solid foundations.

It is important to constantly talk about how we defended ourselves, because today our honorable commanders are being persecuted based on inaccurate, fabricated, and false information, in order to alter the character of the war and to show that there were two sides - emphasized Konaković.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly Denis Zvizdić recalled that Goražde, as a hero city, has gone through many trials in its history, but has always shown the strength to rebuild and rise from the ashes of adversity into a city of life and hope.



- Today, BPK Goražde, although the smallest canton in our country, holds a special place in our hearts and represents a cornerstone of the existence of a sovereign and integral BiH. It shows that size does not depend on numbers but on the spirit and perseverance of its people.

The diligent hands of Goražde workers, the wisdom and knowledge of our teachers, professors, and doctors, the creativity of the youth, and the warmth of our mothers and the strength of our families - these are the foundations on which the future of the canton, and ultimately our homeland BiH, is being built.

It is our obligation as representatives of the authorities to invest even more effort to make BPK Goražde a place of security, economic development, and prosperity - emphasized Zvizdić.

At the ceremonial academy, the highest city and cantonal awards were traditionally presented.

The Silver Plaque of the City of Goražde was awarded to Mirsada Ćulov for her exceptional contribution to the development of humanitarian and social activities in Goražde.

The Public Recognition "Charter for Lifetime Achievement of the City of Goražde" was posthumously awarded to Doctor Ferid Tutić for his exceptional contribution to the development of healthcare in the Goražde area.

The "Canton Plaque" was awarded to Muharem and Advija Muhić for the humane and moral act of adopting a child born from an act of wartime rape during the aggression against the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the period 1992-1995.



The recognition "Honorary Citizen" was awarded to Hamdo Borovac for his exceptional contribution to the economic development of the BPK area and the improvement of interpersonal relations based on solidarity and humanity.

For exceptional merits and contributions in the defense of BPK Goražde and Bosnia and Herzegovina from aggression in the period 1992-1995, the public recognition "Shield of the Canton" was awarded to wartime commander Nedim Alagić Peda.

As part of the program commemorating September 18, a ceremonial formation of the honor guard of members of all wartime brigades was held, followed by a parade from the Alija Izetbegović Bridge to the plateau of the BPK Goražde Government building, where a gathering of fighters took place.