November 25th is the day when we watch, listen and read patriotic messages about a state that has lasted for centuries, a state that has suffered and is still suffering, and a state that still has to prove and defend its sovereignty.
Why this is so, there are many reasons in the whirlwind of internal and external politics. Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is one of the few countries that, instead of a polite congratulation on November 25th, receives messages about the importance of supporting territorial integrity and sovereignty. There is a long line of diplomats, representatives of states, institutions and individuals who have been emphasizing their support for territorial unity and sovereignty at every opportunity for decades.
And when someone emphasizes this to you for years, it means that something is wrong. Because you can’t really hear someone congratulating Croatia, Serbia or Belgium on a national holiday with a message of support for territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Instead of a flag
Patriotism is not really shown by waving a flag or changing your profile picture on a social network, nor by poems in which it is said that BiH is from the Drina to the Una and from the Sava to the sea. The state and statehood is all that is inside. This is justice, good healthcare, education, a healthy economy, suppression of corruption, a healthy judiciary and the creation of a space where the competent people will lead the processes.
But that is a matter of politics, and politics requires responsibility, courage and a higher goal, where the essence of the struggle will not be only power and seat in some institution.
November 25th is the day when the Statehood Day is beingcelebrated only in one entity and probably symbolically in Brcko District as well. Almost half of the country, the Republika Srpska (RS) entity, does not recognize or celebrate this day, and it is a stubborn policy that contributes to general and mental and any other dissatisfaction.
This is the country
This is a country where the victim still has to prove that is is a victim. This is a country where the denial of genocide is still tolerated and where dealing with the past, despite huge amounts of money pumped into various workshops, seminars and non-governmental organizations, has failed the test.
This is a country that people still very much want to leave and where their neighbors still think they have some kind of deed. This is a country that screams with joy when Edin Dzeko scores a goal or Lana Pudar becomes the champion of Europe, and the very next day it is being cursed, robbed, belittled, insulted and humiliated. This is a country that still has to prove every morning that it is a country.
This is a country where the parties still pull the direct strings that influence politics. This is a country where petty political interests are holding back better education and healthcare. This is a country where many of the best people don’t succeed, but that’s why the hands-raisers and the silent ones progress quickly.
This is a country where politics deals with itself, a country that specializes in the general story and cries out for concrete actions. This is a country of many fake greats, sold souls, fake patriots and frauds.
This is a country of great talents, smart youth and good people, but they are neglected. But this is a country that must be loved and defended. This is a country that must win, and it will win when everyone looks in the mirror and asks themselves if they are doing the right thing and if they can sleep peacefully with it.
This is a country of beautiful land, which is crucified on the Procrustean bed of internal and external factors. This is a country that has to introduce itself every morning and say how it is a historical creation with medieval foundations, Klix.ba reports.
E.Dz.
