The Statehood Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) was also celebrated in Sydney, and the sponsor of the celebration was the Consulate of BiH in this Australian city.
The ceremony was organized by the Australian-BiH Cultural Association (ABHCA) and other associations of the BiH community in Australia. The ceremony was opened by the students of the Bosnian Ethnic School, Mak Vugdalic and Ajla Fajic, and the director of this school, Maida Kulic Vugdalic.
The opening address was given by Honorary Consul Amir Sahinovic, who presented a prominent member of the BiH community in Australia, Muhamed Kumalic, with a work of art by Vasvija Balic. Chairman of the Presidency of BiH Zeljko Komsic (DF) and member of the Presidency Denis Becirovic (SDP) sent their congratulations via video.
The president of the Council of the Bosnian Community, Safet Alispahic, also spoke, and on behalf of the aforementioned organization, he awarded awards for long-term activities in the BiH community to the choir “Modra rijeka”, Mirsad Kadic, Senad Balic, and Muhamed Kumalic.
Given that a significant number of Australians from political life attended the ceremonial academy, along with other distinguished guests, the mayor of Liverpool Ned Mannoun, and parliamentarian Charishma Kaliyanda sent their congratulations. Namely, Liverpool is a city where a large number of people of BiH origin live.
The final word went to ABHCA president Ismet Halilovic and Hasan Alijagic, who announced a special guest from BiH, Dzemaludin Latic, who also spoke, announcing several forums around Australia.
The cultural and artistic society “Zambak” and the singing choir “Modra rijeka” delighted everyone with their performances, showing that they are the guardians of BiH’s heritage. Folk melos performer Fikret Kolaric brightened up the night with his songs. The Bosnian Ethnic School presented itself with a choral performance of sevdah. They performed with Nela Trifkovic, who traveled from Melbourne with her band Saray Iluminado.
There was also an exhibition of paintings with Bosnian motifs by the artist Vasvija Balic, who, with the help of the decorator Muamara Sisic, beautified the hall of the Bosnian Center and expressed her desire to present one of her paintings to Honorary Consul Sahinovic and the director of the Bosnian Ethnic School, Kulic-Vugdalic. The organizer asked those present to financially help the population of Gaza and thanked the great team of enthusiasts and volunteers for organizing the ceremony on the occasion of Statehood Day.
