With flag raising and national anthem, central program for marking BiH Independence Day begins in Mostar

(Patria) - With the ceremonial raising of the state flag and the intonation of the BiH national anthem on Fortica hill, the central program for marking BiH Independence Day began today in Mostar, organized by the HNK Assembly in cooperation with cultural and public institutions of the City and the Canton.

Extending congratulations to the citizens, the Chairman of the HNK Assembly Džafer Alić recalled the historical significance of the referendum from 34 years ago, when the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina chose the path of independence and sovereignty.

- It is very important to remember 1992 when independence was restored, and that is why today we want to mark this most valuable day for our homeland.

The message that this commemoration aims to send and emphasize is that it is extremely important to preserve the memory of that 1992 referendum and everything that followed afterwards for the preservation of BiH's independence, both through the war storms and the building of a modern, contemporary state and its path towards the European Union.

It is important that today we leave a message to the youth that in terms of preserving the state and what we have achieved here, we must be strong, we must all together build a modern, good and beautiful state for all of us, and that independence is not just a letter on paper but that it is preserved by building state institutions, but also by preserving the continuity of independence in these areas - said Alić.

The Deputy Chairperson of the HNK Assembly Vesna Saradžić emphasized that this is not just another anniversary, but something that should be nurtured.

- We need to point out that this is the day when Bosnia and Herzegovina chose the path of independence and sovereignty on the road towards democratic European states.

There are many challenges that BiH faces today in preserving its sovereignty and territorial integrity, many aspirations, but I sincerely hope that BiH citizens recognize what is most important for our country at this moment - said Saradžić.



Numerous delegations from the state, federal, cantonal and city levels of government, representatives of associations and sports collectives, as well as citizens, then visited the Partisan Memorial Cemetery where they laid flowers and paid tribute to anti-fascists.

As part of the celebration of Bosnia and Herzegovina's Independence Day, a visit was also organized to the Liska harem where flowers were laid at the memorial, and afterwards at Šehitluci, tribute was paid to the martyrs and fallen soldiers of the defensive-liberation war 1992-1995.

The celebration of Bosnia and Herzegovina's Independence Day will continue this evening, when at 9 PM a Ceremonial Academy will be held at the National Theatre in Mostar, which will be broadcast live by Hayat Television.

The celebration of BiH Independence Day, we remind, began on February 25 at the Džemal Bijedić Memorial House with the promotion of the 24th issue of the magazine "Hercegovina", organized by the HNK Archive, the Herzegovina Museum Mostar and the Faculty of Humanities of the University "Džemal Bijedić".

The following day, organized by the National Library of Mostar, a promotion of the book "From Berlin to Dayton Bosnia and Herzegovina: The Legal-Political Status of Bosniaks" by author Prof. Dr. Ajdin Huseinspahić was held.

On Friday, February 27, in Jablanica, organized by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of HNK, a Ceremonial Program of primary and secondary schools was held.