MAY IT LIVE FOREVER! The 33rd anniversary and patron saint day of Republika Srpska celebrated in Chicago, Dodik addressed guests! (PHOTO)

Last night in Chicago, the Day of Republika Srpska and its Patron Saint, Saint Stephen the Protomartyr, were solemnly marked. The celebration and the accompanying program, held in the hall of the Cathedral of the Holy Resurrection, were attended by numerous expatriates originating from Republika Srpska and other parts of the Balkans where Serbs live.

Among the distinguished guests of the event, organized by the Association of Serbs from Republika Srpska in Chicago, were Metropolitan Longin of Chicago, Bosnian Consul General Tatjana Telić, Vice-Consuls of Serbia Aleksandar Đorđević and Aleksandar Milić, Republika Srpska Senator Branko Tupanjac, Ranko Ristić from the Halyard Foundation, church clergy, the cathedral dean and parish priest Darko Spasojević, and priests Dobrivoje Milunović and Nikolaj Kostur. Also present were Dragan Arsić, Director of the “Saint Sava” Academy, and representatives of the Krajišnik Serbs Association “Prelo” and the Herzegovinian Association.

The event began with the national anthems of the United States and Serbia performed by the “Branko Radičević” Choir, followed by a prayer and blessing of the ceremonial bread by Metropolitan Longin, who shared it with the attendees.

The first speaker was Željko Živak, President of the Association of Serbs from Republika Srpska, who emphasized the significance of celebrating this holiday:

“We are sending a message of love to all who respect the Serbian name, just as we respect others. Celebrating this day is very important because we all believe that the creation of Republika Srpska marked the end of the suffering of the Serbian people in these areas, which has lasted for centuries. It gives us hope for a better future, both for us here and, most importantly, for those still living in Republika Srpska and the Balkans. It reminds us that we must remain united to survive and achieve our goals,” concluded Živak.

Bosnian Consul General Tatjana Telić expressed her satisfaction with the enthusiasm of those who organized the event and those who attended:

“It is wonderful to see our people celebrating the 33rd anniversary of Republika Srpska with such love, even far from their homeland. We owe them great gratitude. These are moments when we should show unity, and I am glad that our people from all parts of the Balkans gathered here, just as we saw the leadership of Republika Srpska and Serbia celebrate together in Banja Luka, demonstrating the unity we so desperately need. It is our responsibility to build bridges of cooperation among ourselves and with others.”

When asked what she expects from the new U.S. administration and whether there have been any diplomatic steps or indications that U.S. sanctions against Republika Srpska’s leadership might be lifted, she stated:

“We believe that the arrival of the new administration will bring a different approach toward Republika Srpska and reduce the interventionism currently present in Bosnia and Herzegovina. As for the sanctions, they require certain legal procedures, and we hope that in the future, they will follow legal rather than political channels,” said Telić.

During the evening, a recorded message from Republika Srpska President Milorad Dodik was broadcast on a video screen. He thanked “those who have not forgotten their homeland” and who dared to celebrate the Day of Republika Srpska even during the years when “the Biden administration, which acted hostilely toward Republika Srpska, was in power in America.”

“The time of Trump is coming. We do not need any financial aid from you, but we do need your voice, and I ask you to reach out to decision-makers in the Trump administration in your own way and help us explain that Republika Srpska has been a victim of the U.S. Democrats all along, who have tried to dismantle the Dayton Agreement. Tell them that Biden and Clinton before him not only created chaos in America but also caused great injustice to Republika Srpska. Now they are trying to take away our property and hand it over to the Muslims in Sarajevo, and we will fight against that. We do not ask Trump’s administration to be on our side; we only ask them to be fair and not support the other side. That way, we will secure our rights. In this fight, I expect your support,” Dodik concluded, thanking the organizers.

Serbia’s Vice-Consul in Chicago, Aleksandar Đorđević, emphasized that the Day of Republika Srpska is celebrated worldwide:

“All these borders meant to impose something on us cannot change what we believe. I say this as someone from Kosovo and Metohija, who has been told for 25 years that my birthplace is in another country and that the borders of my country are where I know they are not. Republika Srpska is the result of the Serbian people’s quest for freedom, and I believe its borders will remain eternal, provided its people remain united,” Đorđević said.

Metropolitan Longin congratulated Republika Srpska on its holiday and patron saint day, reminding everyone of the symbolism of Saint Stephen:

“We all rejoice in this holiday because Saint Stephen was the first witness of Christ’s faith, his suffering and resurrection, a saint and deacon whose face shone like light, who saw the heavens opened and God’s angels. Our great bishop and poet Njegoš said, ‘Above me, the sky is closed; it neither hears my cries nor prayers…,’ but for us, after Saint Stephen, the heavens are open. The best way we can help our brothers in Republika Srpska and the Balkans is by helping ourselves spiritually—living in Orthodox faith, teaching our children the same, and remaining united. Disunity only helps our enemies, as history has shown. We must pray for our people everywhere, especially in Serbia and Republika Srpska, for our homeland to be strong, because that will make us strong too,” Metropolitan Longin stated.

Ranko Ristić, a representative of the Halyard Foundation and also of Republika Srpska origin, expressed pride in his ancestors:

“I am proud that the final part of the Halyard Mission and the rescue of Allied airmen during the war in 1944 took place in Republika Srpska, on Boljanić Field. I am proud to belong to a people who risked their lives to save allies under German and Ustaša occupation. Many nations cannot boast of such deeds, and if those pilots had landed just a few kilometers away, they would surely have ended up in German hands or been killed,” Ristić said.

He also pointed out that Serbs from Serbia, Krajina, Montenegro, and all areas where Serbs live gathered for the celebration of Republika Srpska’s Day:
“To me, these are all geographical terms. We all have Serbian hearts, and any division among us is incomprehensible to me. Usually, a nation that endures something terrible, as the Serbs from Republika Srpska did, realizes the importance of unity, and I am glad we have learned that lesson.”

Following dinner and the official program, hosted by Nevena Draganić, a cultural performance took place, and the celebration continued late into the night.