Anniversary of the formation of the First Corps of the Army of RBiH marked: The world recognized that we are on the right side of history

(Patria) - Organized by the Sarajevo Memorial Center and the Ministry of Veterans' Affairs of KS, with a Ceremonial Academy in the City Hall and a rock concert "Sound of Freedom" on the Square of the First Brigade of Police (plateau opposite the City Hall), 32 years since the founding of the 1st
Corps of the Army of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina were marked.

After the official part in the City Hall, a performance by artists from the National Theatre Sarajevo was held. It was also an opportunity to revive memories of the days of heroic struggle, but also to remind of the continuity of the fight against fascism.

"In 1995, we were invited to participate in the military parade in Paris on May 9, the Day of Victory over Fascism, which we also celebrate today as Europe Day. Europe to which Bosnia and Herzegovina has always belonged. Our Semir Drljević Lovac then carried our flag with lilies at the head of our delegation, and that was proof that the world also recognized us as those who are on the right side of history, as those who, in the fight against fascism, are also defending the idea of freedom, human dignity, and Europe, which is a place of civilizational values," stated Omer Osmanović, Minister of Veterans' Affairs of Sarajevo Canton.

On the path of struggle for freedom, 6585 soldiers of the First Corps perished in the defense of the sovereignty, independence, and integrity of BiH. For their contribution to the defense of the city of Sarajevo and BiH, the First Corps of the Army of the Republic of BiH was awarded the collective Sixth of April Award of the City of Sarajevo in 2010.

"The combat results, sacrifices, efforts, destruction, suffering, and above all, the heroism of the soldiers of the 1st Corps, should serve present and future generations for pride, but also for the realization of the responsibility to nurture patriotism towards the state of BiH and to protect, defend, and preserve it in every situation of endangerment. No future generation should be without memory of the historical situation in which the 1st Corps and all other Corps of the ARBiH showed dignity, strength, patriotism, endurance, and determination in the fight against evil," reminded Ibrahim Dervišević, wartime commander of the 1st Glorious Motorized/111th Brigade of Heroes of the 1st Corps of the Army of RBiH.

Emphasizing that on such occasions they always want to pass on experience and knowledge to young people, Zijad Hasečić, recipient of the highest wartime decoration "Golden Lily," stated that every day of life in freedom is a grandiose monument to the great figures "who died so that we could live here".

"Today, individuals and groups who want to place themselves on the same level or above the soldiers, interpret history in their own way, adapt it to the current political situation, and extract petty benefits for themselves from everything, are becoming increasingly vocal.

We must rise above that, put our struggle above all else, and let all our interests be secondary," Hasečić conveyed.

Well-known musical names who also contributed to the defense of Sarajevo and BiH, Mustafa Čizmić Čizma, Almas Smajlović, and as a representative of the new generation, Sara Vojičić, held the rock concert "Sound of Freedom" on the plateau opposite the City Hall, conveying to the youth the memory of the days when Sarajevo was defended not only with weapons but also with music and art, proving its commitment to civilizational values.