The traditional Christmas concert of the Ministry of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina was held tonight in the Sarajevo House of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and its hosts were the Deputy Minister of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina Slaven Galić and the Archbishop of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Apostolic Administrator of the Military Ordinariate in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Msgr. Tom Vukšić, along with the Deputy Chief of the Joint Staff of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Major General Tom Kolenda.
For the first time, traditional and fun Christmas compositions and songs were performed by a joint orchestra consisting of the Military Orchestra of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Jazz Orchestra of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia, together with the “St. George” Croatian Navy Band.
In addition to BiH Deputy Minister of Defense for Resource Management Aleksandar Goganović, among the guests of the Christmas concert were numerous representatives of the legislative and executive authorities of BiH, headed by the first deputy speaker of the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH Dragan Čović and the chairperson of the Council of Ministers of BiH Borjana Krišto with ministers of state and EUFOR commander Major General Florin-Marian Barbu, assistants to the Minister of Defense of BiH and members of the General Assembly of the Armed Forces of BiH. The event was attended by members of the diplomatic corps accredited in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as representatives of international organizations, religious communities and associations of veterans from the Homeland War, the Ministry of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina announced.
In his address to the guests, Deputy Minister Galić pointed out that Christmas is a time when we put aside divisions, misunderstandings and harsh words and encourages us to turn to dialogue, respect and building trust.
– Diversity in Bosnia and Herzegovina is an everyday reality, but it can be a source of strength if we build it on mutual respect and concern for the dignity of every human being. Gatherings like tonight’s, and the conversations we are having, show that joint work can be the path to greater prosperity and stability – Deputy Minister Galić said on this occasion.
He especially greeted all the members of the Armed Forces of BiH who, due to the needs of the service, may not be close to their families at the moment, but also the members of EUFOR who contribute to peace and stability in BiH. He emphasized that the Christmas season is a strong call for peace, love, togetherness and mutual respect.
– Christmas awakens the best in us, warmth, solidarity and faith that together we can always do more. It is these universal values that unite us as people and as a community. Only a society that has the strength to look beyond differences can achieve lasting success and leave future generations with a foundation on which to build tomorrow – concluded Deputy Minister Galić.
Monsignor Tomo Vukšić sent everyone his best wishes for the holiday of Christmas. He thanked everyone for always showing sincere friendship by attending this traditional event. The archbishop also used the opportunity to introduce Monsignor Miro Relota, who will take over the post of military bishop in Bosnia and Herzegovina in mid-February 2026.
– I am asking God to grant all people and peoples in Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially those who hold public offices, enough wisdom and good will to contribute to ridding this society of all forms of mistrust and fear, to allow harmony to prevail, to increase responsibility for public speaking, that we do not have to listen to harsh words and threats, to build the common good and social harmony, to respect the rights of every person and all the constituent peoples, to allow political correctness to prevail without manipulation and imposition of representatives of minority communities, for corruption to disappear. And may just laws, ethics and morals rule everywhere and a lasting and just peace based on them – said Msgr. Vukšić in an appropriate message.
The joint orchestra of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina was conducted by Colonel Tomislav Sušac and Major Davor Dropuljić, and the HRM Band was led by Staff Sergeant Marko Bralić. Vocal soloists Lucija Zovko, Ivana Jukić, Iva Čović and First Lieutenant Tomislav Kreš from the OSRH Jazz Orchestra added to the musical atmosphere of the Christmas concert of the Ministry of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina. After the musical program, an appropriate banquet was held.
