1,400 students paraded through the streets of Stolac on the occasion of Bosnia and Herzegovina's Statehood Day

(Patria) - A ceremonial program dedicated to Bosnia and Herzegovina's Statehood Day, one of the most significant dates in the history of Bosnia and Herzegovina, was held today in the town on the Bregava River, organized by primary and secondary schools of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton (HNK), and under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of HNK.

Education is the foundation for preserving the identity, tradition, and statehood of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and today the town on the Bregava River was a center of youth, knowledge, and pride, where students from all over the canton jointly marked November 25th.

In addition to the ceremonial part, the program was complemented by a parade of students through the streets of Stolac.

Through recitations, musical, and stage performances, students presented the richness of cultural heritage and the values that Statehood Day symbolizes.

Semir Šejtanić, a member of the Organizing Committee, said that unlike previous years, when the commemoration was held at the level of Mostar, this year they decided to hold the commemoration of BiH Statehood Day in Stolac for several reasons.

“The town on the Bregava River is particularly known for beautiful things, many poets are from our town Stolac, and this year we decided it would be in this town,” said Šejtanić.

According to him, the program began with a ceremonial parade from Ćuprija to Begovina.

“Around 1400 students from all over the canton gathered there, we walked through the entire Stolac. I would like to emphasize that we had the support of the City of Stolac. The ceremonial parade continued through the entire Begovina all the way to the Čaršija Mosque. After that, we headed to the Sports Hall, which was provided by the City of Stolac. All other funds for the realization of this program and ceremony were financed by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of HNK. We must not forget the support of the local community, such as the City of Mostar, which provided transportation for the students, the coordinator was the head of the Service for Education, Youth and Sport, Mustafa Džafić, then the Municipality of Jablanica and the City of Konjic. Together, we all decided to make a great contribution, to mark one of the most important dates in the history of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is Statehood Day.

The program created by students from all HNK schools continued in the Sports Hall, with lots of songs, lots of joy, lots of happiness, because such a date deserves all these positive and beautiful things, which are songs and joy,” concluded Šejtanić.

The Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport of HNK, Adnan Velagić, said that 82 years have passed since Bosnia and Herzegovina restored its statehood in Mrkonjić Grad.

“247 delegates, we would say deputies today, unanimously accepted the restoration of Bosnia and Herzegovina's statehood. In this way, Bosnia and Herzegovina has continued its continuity, up to the present day. What we can also emphasize, and what should be emphasized, is that Bosnia and Herzegovina inherited its statehood from the Medieval Bosnian state, the Bosnian kingdom, and that during that period, while it was a state in the Middle Ages, it was an extremely strong and powerful state. Today, we are celebrating a new anniversary of Bosnia and Herzegovina's statehood, and I think that Stolac is the right place for this ceremony to be held,” said Velagić.

This event has special significance because it brings together different generations and schools in a common message of peace, respect, and love for the homeland.

Photo: Vijesti.ba / Mostarski.ba