Šefik Džaferović, member of the Presidency of BiH
” Dear Ladies and Gentlemen, dear friends,
It is a particular pleasure for me to address you on this solemn occasion. Allow me to begin by congratulating you on November 25th, the Statehood Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is a special date that symbolizes our highest values. At the historic session of ZAVNOBIH in Mrkonjić Grad, a decision was made on the restoration of the statehood of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Its historical borders that date back to medieval Bosnia, the multi-ethnic character and equality of all its citizens was confirmed.
On the foundations of the anti-fascist struggle, half a century later, in the difficult circumstances of aggression, Bosnia and Herzegovina fought for its independence and became an internationally recognized state, a full member of the United Nations. It is no coincidence that the statehood of Bosnia and Herzegovina was defended and restored by anti-fascist forces from ZAVNOBIH until March 1, 1992, from the national liberation struggle to the defense against aggression. Bosnia and Herzegovina was defended by anti-fascist movements because Bosnia and Herzegovina, as a multiethnic and multicultural state, is anti-fascist in its essence.
Unfortunately, the ideologies that led to bloodshed in the former Yugoslavia at the end of the last century have not been completely defeated. Attempts to challenge sovereignty and disrespect the Constitution, laws and institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina are becoming more and more frequent and aggressive and are irresponsibly extinguishing all efforts made to turn Bosnia and Herzegovina towards social issues and progress. Policies that are at the end of the last century saw the solution in division and separation, in force and violence, in excluding the other, in spreading fear and injustice, they should be abandoned once and for all.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is a naturally rounded area with its recognizable culture, tradition and Bosnian-Herzegovinian identity, and we should all finally stop at that fact. These days we have also marked 25 years since the Dayton Peace Agreement. We should turn to further internal reintegration of our country, economic development and integration into the European Union and NATO. This is in the interest of all peoples and citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Our diaspora can also make a significant contribution to this.
Due to demographic and migration trends, the entire world has become multicultural in the past few decades. A question that was once linked to Bosnia and Herzegovina; whether people of different faiths and nations can live in peace and harmony has now become the fateful question of the whole world. To a world where multiculturalism is a relatively new phenomenon, Bosnia and Herzegovina can offer its centuries-old tradition of coexistence and a multicultural tradition that is living proof that people can live together.
In that name, I congratulate you on the Statehood Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
May our homeland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, live forever. “
Željko Komšić, member of the BiH Presidency
“My dear Bosnians and Herzegovinians who currently live and work in the UK, allow me to congratulate you on November 25, the day our country restored its statehood 77 years ago. I would like to thank the organization of Bosnian and Herzegovinian associations in the UK, BH UK Network, for organizing today’s event. On this occasion, I would like to address you, my fellow countrymen who today have the opportunity to follow this online event from all over the UK. Although we are currently in two different destinations, quite far apart, I do not feel that you are far from me. You are all mine as I am yours. Some would say that you make up our diaspora in the UK, but I see you all as equal citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Today’s occasion of marking November 25, which has its foundation in the first session of ZAVNOBIH in Mrkonjić Grad, is a wonderful opportunity to say something very important to all our citizens and friends of BiH. Bosnia and Herzegovina was, and remains so today it is and our Bosnia and Herzegovina will be for a long time. It will be as it is we see, because we are the ones who love this country and who strive to build it as a modern democratic state of its equal citizens. There are many challenges ahead of us and our country that are coming to us in the future. I know that you often think about it, as do I. Will Bosnia and Herzegovina become a member of NATO? Will our country be part of the European Union because that is what we all strive for and for which we are fighting with all available means. It’s not an easy fight at all. It requires a lot of wisdom and patience, because opposite to those ideas are those who want to divide this country. We should send a clear message to such people today on this holiday; That such a thing will never be possible, because there are many more of us Bosnians and Herzegovinans, those who love and respect this country. That’s why we should all fight together for what our BiH has nurtured in its thousand-year history: the equality of every one of its inhabitants, no matter where they are, no matter what their surname and first name are and what religion they belong to. This is the Bosnia and Herzegovina that I love and that is worth fighting for every day and in every place. This country will be a member of NATO, I have no doubts about that. Just as it will become a member of the European Union. But in this fight we all need to make our contribution. That is why we call on you, our fellow citizens living in Great Britain, to participate in it. Let us build a modern and democratic Bosnia and Herzegovina together for the sake of our children, for the sake of the new generations that are coming and who deserve to inherit their homeland in a better condition than we found it. Who should be proud of their homeland wherever they are around the world. My dear Bosnians and Herzegovinans, I congratulate you once again on November 25, the day of renewed statehood of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and I wish you all the best.”
H.E. Vanja Filipović, Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the United Kingdom
“Dear friends, countrymen,
I would like to congratulate you with particular pleasure November 25, Statehood Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a permanent reminder of the historic day November 25, 1943, when the first session began ZAVNOBIH (National Anti-Fascist Council of the People’s Liberation of Bosnia and Herzegovina) in Mrkonjić Grad and the constitution of its Presidium, headed by Dr. Vojislav Kicmanović, a doctor from Bijeljina of Serbian nationality. I emphasize this because of the fact that in BiH, unfortunately, there are structures and facts that consciously ignore this important national holiday. They deny it and thus renounce the universal civilizational decisions and messages of ZAVNOBIH. They establish freedom of individual religion and conscience, as well as freedom of association and negotiation, freedom of the press and property security of citizens, equality of women with men in political life and all areas of social activity, electoral law and guaranteed secrecy of voting based on universal, equal and direct suffrage.
For us, these unquestionable civilizational and national principles of ZAVNOBIH have no alternative and no possibility of compromise change. We did not agree to this even during the aggression against BiH, for which a huge price was paid, and we will not and cannot now that the pressures from internal and some external retrograde nationalist forces to divide our country and society are increasing. We must resolutely oppose these pressures, defend the main achievements of ZAVNOBIH, the integrity of the country, the wishes and equality of all our citizens and peoples. Politically wise and uncompromising, without concessions when it comes to these achievements, we must resolutely lead this post-war struggle with the aim of permanently abolishing these destructive tendencies. I have no doubt that we will be successful in this, especially since I know that our compatriots scattered all over the world have a developed awareness of the situation in the homeland and the threats and challenges we face.
For the Bosnian diaspora in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, for you dear compatriots, it is widely known and appreciated that you have deep feelings for your homeland, for the homeland that many of you were forced to leave due to the terror of war. In my short term as Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina, I have had and still have the honor and opportunity to meet many of you personally and numerous members of the association our diasporas; teachers, volunteers, and parents of children attending supplementary Bosnian language schools, members of informal groups of young entrepreneurs and professionals, professors at British colleges and universities, officials in British institutions, including those engaged in British politics, numerous pensioners, journalists, artists, medical doctors, etc.
I am convinced that regardless of the fact that you are now residents of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, you still love and care for the ore breast and that no one will ever squeeze it out of your heart and soul. You have confirmed, shown and proved this countless times with your individual and through common actions, socializing in a native way in this hospitable country that has given you the opportunity for a peaceful and safe life. and the right to cherish your ethnic and cultural heritage, customs, folklore, maintaining the freshness of your native language and that of your children and grandchildren, establishing strong cultural, religious and economic relations with your native homeland Bosnia and Herzegovina.
And this one This is confirmed by the joint celebration and evocation of the significance of ZAVNOBIH Day, November 25th. I am proud of your commitment, infinitely grateful to patriotic organizations, especially and BH UK Network for marking this historic date for years. I hope and believe you too that we will not have to wait long for those fellow citizens and their elected representatives to join us in celebrating when they understand that the values of ZAVNOBIH are universal achievements of every democratic society that is founded on the rule of law, on a system of constitutional equality of all citizens regardless of racial, religious, ethnic, gender or other affiliation, as evidenced by the arrangements of developed multiethnic societies such as this British one.
Rejection of these principles means accepting a system of inequality, discrimination, and the existence of privileged and oppressed categories of autocratic rule few elites, in other words, the violence of the government over citizens. In the midst of World War II, in the midst of the struggle for freedom from foreign occupiers and their minions, in severe poverty and hunger, and extreme uncertainty, citizens and nations of Bosnia and Herzegovina, constituting the anti-fascist government on November 25, 1943, showed their humanity, their social and political maturity, and the councilors of ZAVNOBIH political courage and readiness to make historic decisions. Let’s protect that spirit, those ideas, they are not only ours but also the ideas of the entire libertarian, democratic and equal world.
Happy Statehood Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina. “
H.E. Matthew Field, Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to Bosnia and Herzegovina
” Best regards,
I am Matt Field, British Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina. I am glad to send you a message on the occasion of the Statehood Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is a country that means a lot to me, both professionally and personally, and I know it means even more to you. Many have their roots here, still you have family and friends here, you still want the best for this country and its citizens.
Like all others, this country is struggling with the consequences of the Covid pandemic, the economic damage that has been caused. I was fortunate to begin my mandate in BiH at a time when the United Kingdom has increased its support, doubled its assistance across BiH. What is the British Embassy doing to help?
I believe that the greatest threat to the success of this country is the loss of its young, talented and qualified people and the brain drain. I know that people from BiH can do great things. They are among the most successful diasporas in the world, entrepreneurs in Sweden, Ministers in Austria, Innovators in America, and members of the House of Lords in the United Kingdom.
We want them to be able to be successful here too. So everything we do is aimed at removing the reasons for these departures. We talked to young people who are thinking about leaving and those who have left. They asked us to improve public services, especially education and healthcare, make it easier to do business and reduce bureaucracy, and establish more online processes. Strengthen the rule of law, with convictions for corruption and organized crime, introduce critical thinking, problem-solving learning and IT skills in primary school. We provide scholarships for British universities, help professionalise the armed forces, depoliticise public administration and companies so that opportunities are based on merit. We do all this and more. I have just assembled a group of 10 young associates from all over BiH. For this process I received more than 270 applications full of ideas and energy. This group gives me optimism. We have a duty to give them a chance and enable them to succeed for their sake and for the future of BiH. I strongly believe that the key ingredient for success in all of this is networking with the diaspora. For a better future of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Happy National Day. “
Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth, former Minister for Religions of Great Britain and Patron of the organization “Remembering Srebrenica”
“On November 25, 1943, the first session of ZAVNOBIH (National Anti-Fascist Council for the National Liberation of Bosnia and Herzegovina) was held. At the session, a decision was made to restore the statehood of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and its historical borders, flag, and coat of arms were confirmed.
This was followed by a period when Bosnia and Herzegovina was defined as one of six equal republics in the then Yugoslavia, and then the period of the disintegration of Yugoslavia, followed by a terrible genocide and war, and then a better tomorrow opened with prospects for EU membership, NATO membership, stability and prosperity.
Of course, we deal with the problems of the past, denial of genocide and ensuring that justice follows that genocide. But I am looking forward to a better tomorrow with the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina because we are celebrating statehood and I am very proud to be able to celebrate statehood with the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
Dr. Waqar Azmi OBE, Patron of the BH UK Network and Founder and President of the organization “Remembering Srebrenica”
“I am absolutely proud to be a patron of the BH UK Network, an umbrella organization that plays an extremely important role in partnership with local Bosnian and Herzegovina associations across the UK.
I would like to take this opportunity to commend everyone involved in the Network and local associations. Today’s event provides an important opportunity to remember with pride the statehood of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was restored at the historic session of the National Anti-Fascist Council for the National Liberation of Bosnia and Herzegovina on November 25, 1943, which established a state that belongs equally to all its citizens, regardless of religious or ethnic affiliation.
Therefore, I am honored to be able to join you on this special occasion and remember all those people who fought against fascism to protect the values and integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Marking this special occasion, we also pledge to protect the principles and values of Bosnia and Herzegovina and reject hatred in all its forms, as well as those people who promote division or glorify those who are perpetrators of genocide and ethnic cleansing in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
As president of Remembering Srebrenica and patron of the BH UK Network, I send my warmest wishes to all my Bosnian friends and the rest of the Bosnian community here in the UK and beyond and I wish you all peace, success and prosperity. ”
Mohammed Azim, Mayor of Birmingham
“On behalf of the City of Birmingham, I extend my best wishes to our Bosnian community as you celebrate your national day of statehood. It also marks the second anniversary of the official opening of the Bosnian House, a wonderful facility that benefits both the Bosnian and Herzegovinian residents of Birmingham and others in the local community.”
We commend you for your efforts and contribution to this great city.
We look forward to many more years of friendship and cooperation. I know you can’t celebrate together this year, but I want to wish everyone a wonderful day. ”
Zaim Pašić, President of BH UK Network
“Dear and respected Bosnians and citizens of Herzegovina,
I take this opportunity to greet you and to congratulate you on one of the most important dates for Bosnia and Herzegovina, November 25, BiH Statehood Day. It was not easy to preserve our statehood, but thanks to our friends around the world as well as here in Great Britain, whom I want to thank in this way, their excellencies, the governments and the people of the UK. I also want to thank the young people from Bosnia and Herzegovina all over the world who preserve their love for our homeland and I would like it to remain so in the future.
I hereby call on all young Bosnians and Herzegovinans to find the opportunity to promote our Homeland so that it can join the EU and other institutions in the world more quickly. I know that it has been a difficult path for Bosnia and Herzegovina to survive as a state with its peoples and I hope that not a single life will be lost to preserve our Homeland and that only with wisdom will we prolong the life of our dear Homeland BiH.
In front of my colleagues from the management of UK Network and in my own name, I congratulate you and let us celebrate this National Day, which was achieved long ago in 1943, with joy and good health. in the whirlwind of the Second World War.
Happy BiH Statehood Day.”
Fahira Hasedžić, choreographer KUD “Mladost Bosne”
“Greetings to everyone watching this video.
My name is Fahira Hasedžić, I have been a choreographer of folklore groups in England for 24 years. I am currently leading the folklore group “Mladost Bosne” from Birmingham.
Today I have the great honor to wish a Happy Statehood Day to our beautiful Bosnia and Herzegovina, to all its citizens as well as to the Bosnian-Herzegovinian Diaspora all over the world, on behalf of the folklore group and in my own name. I want Bosnia and Herzegovina to finally start living as a country of happy and satisfied citizens, a country of prosperity and progress without corruption and lack of power.
This year has been very difficult for all of us. In BH associations, social gatherings, celebrations, school classes and everything that implied a mass gathering stopped. I mostly miss folklore rehearsals and children’s smiling faces. During the virus isolation, I receive a lot of messages from children and parents, and as I can see, they also miss it a lot.
I think that maintaining the culture of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Diaspora is of great importance for the maintenance of the communities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, because a people without its own culture in the Diaspora does not exist. That is why I am extremely proud of the children who were born in England and speak Bosnian well, sing Bosnian songs and play traditional Bosnian carts. Up to now, every year we have prepared an appropriate program for the Statehood Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but this year, for the sake of viral isolation, the folklore group Mladost Bosne and I send you sincere congratulations in this way. They will send you the most beautiful greeting and congratulations to the homeland with their performance of the Bosnian carousel. Stay alive and healthy and let our unique beautiful Bosnia and Herzegovina live forever.”
