With the presence of a large number of citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) who live in Canada, the academy was opened by Mirza Durak, president of the Bosnian Cultural Center, Toronto.
At the academy, advisor Daniela Colic addressed the audience on behalf of the Embassy of BiH and the state of BiH, and she read a letter from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of BiH sent to the BiH diaspora in Canada; Irfan Mirza, who spoke in carefully chosen words about the significance of Statehood Day and presented his new books; and Emir Ramic, who thanked Canada for its continuous support to the state of BiH and sent a message to the ambassador of BiH in Canada.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of BiH wrote in his letter:
“I would like to particularly highlight the role and significance of our diaspora in Canada. Your professional and social engagement, as well as your devoted connection with the homeland, represent a symbol of strength that is passed on through generations; a strength rooted in dignity and the resilience of spirit. Thanks to you, the values of our country live far beyond its borders, and the ties between BiH and Canada are becoming deeper and more significant with each passing day. Regardless of the distance, BiH remains your lasting emotional anchor; the homeland to which you return, to which you belong, and to which you remain faithfully devoted. Thank you for everything you do for our country, for your love, your dedication, and your continuous care for the prosperity of BiH.”
The advisor at the Embassy of BiH in Canada, Daniela Colic, in her very well-received speech, especially emphasized the significance of the multicultural BiH state, for which the diaspora in Canada fights strongly. Otherwise, advisor Daniela Colic is the only link between the embassy and the diaspora, for which we are grateful. Diplomats who fight for their homeland in such a way, who strongly promote their state, are rare.
The BiH diaspora in Canada received strong video messages on the occasion of Statehood Day from the Chair of the Presidency, Zeljko Komsic, and a member of the Presidency, Dr. Denis Becirovic.
There is BiH in Canada: Our flags fly in the Canadian cities of Mississauga, Toronto, Hamilton, and Calgary. The Prime Minister of Canada, the premiers of Canadian provinces and territories, and the mayors of Canadian cities paid tribute to the state of BiH, congratulating the national holiday, Statehood Day.
In Bosnian language schools throughout Canada, a history class dedicated to Statehood Day was held.
In the history classes, the message was sent:
“Bosnia is our mother. And the one who forgets his mother has forgotten himself. Bosnia needs us today not to forget her. If we forget her, who will remember her? Never give up on your homeland. Wear the name of the country of BiH proudly. Say that BiH is a thousand years old. We love our BiH and proudly tell everyone that our homeland is BiH. For us, BiH is the most important center and the most important goal, our ideal and our hope, our indivisible one and only homeland.”
At the academy, a special recognition was presented to Mirza Durak for his contribution to preserving and strengthening Bosnian culture and tradition in Canada.
Emir Ramic, on behalf of the BiH diaspora, sent a message to the ambassador of BiH in Canada, who locked the state flag, which had been procured by the diaspora, and thus prevented its raising in front of the city hall of the capital of Canada, Ottawa, about which a separate announcement will be issued.
The ambassador needs to know:
“There is no discussion that November 25th was proclaimed the Statehood Day of BiH already in March 1995. The Parliament of BiH, an internationally recognized country, adopted the law proclaiming November 25th as Statehood Day, after which the Presidency issued the proclamation. This means that the law under which we celebrate Statehood Day is still in force, and it can only be changed by the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH (PABiH), which has not been done to this day. There is no discussion that this law formally and legally obliges all institutions in BiH to mark this historical date, which is thus valid throughout the entire territory of BiH. Those who oppose the celebration of Statehood Day find themselves in an anti-state and unlawful anti-Bosnian coalition, on the line of lies, guilt, against basic human rights and freedoms, in fact against the state that pays them well. All state-building citizens of BiH, wherever they may be, must oppose anti-Bosnian actions in an organized manner, because the Bosnian political and academic factor mostly remains silent. Honor to the exceptions.”
BiH has a long and honorable history. It was a kingdom, it had its bans and kings, its charters and its stećaks. It was a home to different people and religions, but always special and its own. On November 25th, 1943, in Mrkonjic Grad, the session of ZAVNOBiH was held. At that time, the decision on the restoration of the statehood of BiH was adopted. It was written: “BiH is neither Serbian, nor Croatian, nor Muslim, but Serbian and Croatian and Muslim.”
To all the women and men citizens of BiH, wherever they may be, we congratulate November 25th, the Statehood Day of our one and only BiH, it was stated by the IGK Canada.
