Ceremonial Academy of the SDP BiH City Committee Sarajevo: Principles of ZAVNOBiH Have No Alternative

(Patria) - At Sarajevo's Youth House, on the occasion of the Statehood Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the 78th anniversary of ZAVNOBiH, a ceremonial academy was held organized by the SDP BiH City Committee Sarajevo, which gathered numerous guests from Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region.

At the opening of the program, the host of the Academy, President of the SDP BiH City Committee Sarajevo, Adnan Šteta, said that postponing the program due to the miners' protests in Sarajevo was considered, but that in consultation and agreement with the miners, it was decided that the Academy would be held.

„On the eve of Statehood Day, a great day for our country, hardworking people who do one of the most difficult jobs have to seek their rights on the street. That is not the state we want. It is up to us to help as much as possible, and the people of SDP will not stop until the greeting 'Sretno' for our miners truly ensures happiness, safety, and better working conditions,“ said Šteta. 

Nermin Nikšić, President of the Social Democratic Party of Bosnia and Herzegovina, emphasized in his speech that ZAVNOBiH confirmed that Bosnia and Herzegovina is not merely a sum of three tribes, and that statehood and the togetherness of all who live in it and share destinies through history is the ideal and truth that guides them.

„SDP will be the voice of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the voice of reason, compromise, and mutual support and assistance. The lifespan of Bosnia and Herzegovina is not limited by mandate periods in parliaments or the personal will and whim of quasi-leaders. Our Bosnia and Herzegovina has always been a country of all who want it, and we will always gladly share it with everyone, but we will not let anyone take it for themselves alone, no matter what they call themselves or what deeds they invoke,“ said Nikšić, among other things.

The Mayor of the City of Sarajevo and Vice President of SDP BiH, Benjamina Karić, pointed out that November 25 is certainly one of the most important dates in the thousand-year history of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which also served as inspiration for bravely facing all the challenges our homeland has encountered.

„Only those who do not know the history of our country, as well as those who oppose its greatest value, founded on the idea of coexistence and the perception of its diversity as its greatest wealth, do not understand the importance of ZAVNOBiH. On that day, under the slogan DEATH TO FASCISM – FREEDOM TO THE PEOPLE, the continuity of the Bosnian state was confirmed, and the foundations of modern Bosnian-Herzegovinian statehood were laid. Today, from Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, we loudly and unequivocally testify to our commitment to freedom, equality of all people, and the fight against every form of fascism,“ concluded Karić.

The President of the SDP BiH City Committee Sarajevo, Adnan Šteta, emphasized that the achievements of ZAVNOBiH are the most valuable guide for all citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

„Every citizen of our homeland should be proud of ZAVNOBiH and each of its delegates. It took courage to stand up to the forces of fascism in World War II and lead an uncompromising anti-fascist struggle for the right of every person in BiH to be free and equal, and for every inch of this land to be their homeland. With their courage, they placed us on the bright side of world history; we have no right to abandon that side.

BiH is and must be the homeland of every citizen, regardless of what they call themselves, where they live, or how they declare themselves. That is our obligation. We must leave our children a state free from fascism. The people of this party have built, defended, built again, defended again, and are building this state again. We are faithful to Bosnia and Herzegovina, devoted to it, and we do not give up on it. All our political activity and thought is subordinated to this state, its idea, and the principles of ZAVNOBiH on which it stands. Bosnia and Herzegovina, a sovereign and unified state – a state of all its citizens, forever.“, concluded Šteta.

The program of the ceremonial academy was enriched by a performance by prominent BiH actor Miodrag Miki Trifunov, who recited verses from the poem „Hiža u Milama“ by Mak Dizdar, as well as musical performances by soloist Haris Avdagić, the vocal group Proleter, and the string quartet Romanca.