Yesterday was March 1st, the Independence Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). A day that must and should be celebrated.
Every March 1st, the same questions are asked and standard answers are given. BiH called a referendum in the process of disintegrating Yugoslavia, and more than 60 percent of citizens voted for an independent state.
Instead of celebrating, BiH sank into war. Not because it wanted to, but because it had to. Democratically elected independence had to be bloodily defended.
On this day, there was a lot of folklore in the public space, flag-waving could be seen, we could listen to speeches. We read various statuses on social networks. There was beauty and wit, but also a bit of pathetic.
There were sentences about how Europe forgot and turned its back on BiH in the decisive moments. The public space wasfilled with political actors from the 1990s who were supposed to retell memories.
Such an approach of tapping in place, listening to the same phrases in society leads to a kind of political boredom. Patriotism, remembrance, condemnation of hypocritical Europe, promises.
And why there is a sense of political boredom. Citizens have waited too long to feel that independence. To feel an independent judiciary, fair tenders, fair employment, independent and politically separate health care, and much more.
The myth has been built that we are the most important, both to the international community and to world justice and world history. And that self-confidence went to the level that BiH and less than three million of us are the first thought of Joe Biden when he wakes up in the morning.
And then one morning we are awakened by Russia’s total aggression against Ukraine. An independent state was brutally attacked from all sides. Shock and disbelief and the order of parallels saying that it is the same situation as BiH experienced 30 years ago.
A million questions follow, people wonder how is it possible. Where is world justice, where is the world. Well, this and such a world that will bring justice to every courtyard probably never even existed, only myths have been built that it existssomewhere.
The example of Ukraine is proof of how tiny BiH is and everything related to BiH has been long forgotten and put on the side of the world’s political tables.
What remains in such circumstances is that independence is viewed more concretely, through the creation of a state in which citizens in every segment will live and experience the won independence. Where there will be a little less self-pity, and a lot more work and self-esteem. Where there will be many more strategies and planning. Where political subterfuge and crisis will not be an excuse. Where criticism will be accepted as a chance. Where there will be understandable and rational national goals.
It is a state where political parties will not betray the state for the sake of short-lived political gain. Where you will know the red line that is not crossed and the principles that are not violated.
And yes, Independence Day, despite all the shortcomings, should be celebrated, stronger than ever. But then that national pride should be transformed into action the next day. Happy Independence Day to all citizens of BiH.
E.Dz.
Source: Klix.ba
