Tonight’s large gathering of Bosnia and Herzegovina fans in downtown Seattle once again demonstrated the strength and unity of the Bosnian-Herzegovinian diaspora in the United States.
Several thousand fans gathered in the heart of the city to support the Bosnia and Herzegovina national team ahead of an important match, and behind the organization of this event was a large number of volunteers and activists led by Selma Porča, a native Bosnian with an address in Seattle.
Porča, who serves as the executive director of the Bosniak Congress of North America, was one of the key people in organizing the event that brought together the Bosnian community from different parts of America.
As she says, she was initially unsure whether the idea would grow into such a large gathering.
“I didn’t know if it would be possible when I started with this vision and dream to gather us in such large numbers, but with our Bosnian stubbornness we managed to do this. I am proud of all the people who helped us. We put in a lot of work and effort, but it was worth it,” said Porča.
The atmosphere in Seattle was filled with emotion, song and strong patriotism, and Selma points out that, regardless of the result on the field, the Bosnian community has already achieved a great victory.
“We are on top of the world. After LA, I said, whatever the result, we won. With Halid’s song at the SoFi stadium, we won, and here we are again. Whatever happens to our Dragons, we are with them and we won.”
She adds that preparations for the arrival of fans began practically the moment Bosnia and Herzegovina secured its place.
“As soon as Bosnia qualified, the calls started – who is coming, who is not coming. I have 15 people in my house, Minela, Sabina from the Bosniak Congress, her family… Everything was spontaneous.”
Behind the entire organization, she says, is also the strong spirit of Bosnian family and hospitality.
“We’re used to cooking for a lot of people. Mom lives next door, a true Bosnian. And thank you mom for your support,” she said with a smile.
Selma says that this gathering is not the end, but just the beginning of an even bigger story of the Bosnian community in America.
“Most people here will not stop. We are just waiting for the moment to see if we can move on. None of us will stop here and we can’t wait to see what will happen with this.”
Tonight’s picture from Seattle once again confirmed that Bosnians and Herzegovinians, regardless of the distance from their homeland, remain strongly connected through love for their country, the national team and the unity that brings them together wherever they are, Klix.ba writes.
