The President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Srpska, Dr. Nenad Stevandić, attended a solemn reception today in Belgrade held under the slogan "The Hearth Shall Live." The event was organized to honor Republic Day (January 9th) and the 34th anniversary of the promulgation of the first Constitution of the Republic of Srpska.
The reception, organized by the Representative Office of The Republic of Srpska in Serbia, was attended by Savo Minić, Prime Minister, Miloš Vučević, Envoy of the President of Serbia, Bishop Ilarion of Novobrdo, Envoy of His Holiness the Serbian Patriarch, Mlađen Cicović, Head of the Representative Office of The Republic of Srpska in Serbia, Borivoje Golubović (Education and Culture), Petar Đokić (Energy and Mining), and Zlatan Klokić (European Integration and International Cooperation).
The ceremony began with the intonation of the national anthems of Serbia, "Bože pravde," and the Republic of Srpska, "Moja Republika."
In his address, President Stevandić stated that the Republic of Srpska—created in impossible circumstances and during a time of peace as the result of a "titanic struggle"—represents the greatest victory of the Serbian people in the last 200 years.
"Our Constitution and Declaration of Independence were adopted without a single shot being fired. It was a demonstration of the will and determination of the Serbian people. The first shot was fired at a Serbian wedding guest on March 1st, which will be celebrated in the Federation of BiH as 'BiH Day,' but everyone should celebrate what suits them. We choose peace, while someone else chooses something else," Stevandić said.
Speaking at the Serbian Armed Forces Hall in Belgrade, he emphasized that The Republic of Srpska preserves tradition, does not change its faith, and stands firmly as a bulwark the Serbian people."
Stevandić highlighted that President Milorad Dodik was one of the "serious and brave creators" of the Republic. He noted that while past leaders of the Republic had been deposed, arrested, or dismissed by external pressures, Dodik broke that cycle.
"He was not overthrown. After all attempts, he is here with us today, which speaks to how strong the Republic of Srpska is."
Stevandić stressed that the source of this strength is unity, stating that the Republic of Srpska and Serbia are together in everything. "If we say 'together' (Serbian: zajedno) or simplify it to 'for-one' (za-jedno), that is what we will be, sooner or later."
He also expressed gratitude to Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and particularly to Interior Minister Ivica Dačić for their support during times when warrants were being issued from Sarajevo against the leadership of Srpska.
The slogan "The Hearth Shall Live" symbolizes the perseverance and spiritual strength of the Serbian people, conveying that the Republic of Srpska remains a living and enduring home for Serbs. This marks the 12th reception organized in Belgrade by the Representative Office to honor both January 9th (Republic Day) and February 28th (Constitution Day).
On February 28, 1992, the Assembly of the Serbian People in BiH adopted the Constitution. It was passed unanimously based on the Declaration of Founding, guaranteeing full equality for all peoples and citizens.
This supreme legal act, which remains in force today with certain amendments, was adopted before the outbreak of tragic conflicts and before the unilateral Bosniak and Croat declaration of independence following the March 1st referendum, which Serbs did not participate in.
