Bosnia and Herzegovina's Independence Day Marked in Chicago

CHICAGO, (Patria) - Bosnia and Herzegovina's Independence Day was celebrated in Chicago, at the prestigious Loyola University. The youth group organized an event that will be talked about for a long time, attended by citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina who have been living and working in America for years, as well as Elvir Resić, Consul General of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Chicago, and guest speakers, academician Abdulah Sidran and Ahmet Sejdić, former commander of the 1st Visegrad Brigade.

After the interpretation of the anthems of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the USA, the program hosts addressed the attendees.

The ceremony began with the words "Esteemed guests, dear Bosnians and Herzegovinians, we congratulate all of you who carry the unique and sovereign state of Bosnia and Herzegovina in your hearts on Independence Day," followed by thunderous applause in the packed hall.

The importance of preserving language and tradition was highlighted, and a new project by the youth group called "Vote BiH 2020" was presented. The attendees were explained the registration process itself, what is required for registration, and the voting process in the upcoming elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

One of the main topics discussed was the insufficient number of Bosniak representatives at all levels of government in Republika Srpska, and the actual situation of returnees in the smaller Bosnian entity was vividly illustrated through examples.

Consul General Resić addressed the attendees, recalling the events of the 1990s, the first days after the referendum, thus setting the stage for former commander Sejdić, who delivered an emotional speech. Academician Abdulah Sidran spoke about General Sejdić's modesty and recited a poem written in Venice in 1993 at a festival, after which Sidran returned to Bosnia.