Independence is preserved and strengthened in every part of the country, it was announced from the joint ceremonial academy of the Sarajevo Canton, the City of Sarajevo and the Sarajevo municipalities held in the City Hall on the occasion of March 1, the Independence Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The program began with the singing of the national anthem of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the students of Sarajevo secondary schools took part in the program, quoting verses of the most important BiH poet.
The Academy was attended by members of the BiH Presidency Željko Komšić and Denis Bećirović, acting Prime Minister of Sarajevo Canton Darja Softić-Kadenić, Mayor of Sarajevo Benjamina Karić, other representatives of all levels of government, numerous representatives of the political and public life of the City of Sarajevo and the State of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“The independence of our homeland, the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which we restored on March 1, 1992, we jealously, meticulously and resolutely guard. We watch over it and we will never give up on it. Independence is not won once and for all. Independence is preserved, maintained and strengthened on every inch of the earth, in every form. The moment we take it for granted, when we think it is unquestionable, we must know that at that moment it is most vulnerable. That’s why we work and build, let’s build our country stone by stone and thus strengthen our independence,” said the mayor of Sarajevo, Benjamina Karić, in her address.
Acting Prime Minister of Sarajevo Canton Darja Softić-Kadenić emphasized that Bosnia and Herzegovina was made sovereign and independent by its citizens, by their democratic will.
“That’s why in these days, togetherness and solidarity are important in building a humane sustainable civil society for us and our descendants. But in order to build such a society, we must protect and nurture its foundations, which are our freedom, equality and solidarity and, above all , peace. We must protect and preserve peace, we owe it to all those who gave their lives for this country, but above all we owe it to our children. To all of us who feel this heart-shaped country in our hearts, happy Independence Day, long live Bosnia and Herzegovina.” said Softić-Kadenić.
Member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina Željko Komšić sent messages to the young generations, stressing that no country is given forever.
“Remember something we have learned, I mean my generation. No country is given forever. There are many more peoples on this planet than there are countries. So many people are willing to give their lives to get what we have. We have a country. And if something remains behind us, let it be the awareness of what we have, so that these future generations will surely make it better than we could. And, we defended it and defended it,” said Komšić.
He added that the generations to come must remember that they can only rely on themselves.
“Don’t make the mistake of relying on false friends, we expect some help from them. No one can love and appreciate this country more than we do. If we don’t love and appreciate it, others certainly won’t. Be careful, this is cruel world, protect this country, do everything you can because the people have given you the opportunity to do something good for this country and for these people every day, if you can. If you can’t, then don’t harm these people and this country,” said Komšić and congratulated all citizens on March 1, Independence Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Tomorrow, Bosnia and Herzegovina marks 31 years since the citizens decided by an almost two-thirds majority in a referendum that they want to live in an independent state.
2,073,568 voters voted then (63.7 percent of citizens with the right to vote in BiH). As many as 99.7 percent of people who took part in the referendum voted for independence.
The referendum question read: “Are you for a sovereign and independent Bosnia and Herzegovina, a state of equal citizens, the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina – Muslims, Serbs, Croats and members of other nations who live there?”.
After voting for independence, Bosnia and Herzegovina was recognized by many countries of the world and the country soon after became a full member of the United Nations (UN), as well as numerous other international organizations.
