The Bosnian House in Birmingham celebrated the Statehood Day of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the presence of His Excellency Željko Komšić, Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, who was on an official visit to the United Kingdom on this occasion. The reception was held at the invitation of the Honorary Consul of Bosnia and Herzegovina for the Midlands, Dr. Anes Cerić, and was organized by the BH UK Network and the Honorary Consulate of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Birmingham.
The ceremony was attended by numerous representatives of the diplomatic corps, local authorities, British institutions, cultural and religious organizations, as well as representatives of the Bosnian and Herzegovinan and wider communities. The program was also held to mark the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement, emphasizing the importance of peace, stability and the role of the diaspora in preserving the identity and strengthening ties between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the United Kingdom. 
The ceremonial program opened with the singing of the national anthems of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the United Kingdom performed by Bilal Salkić and Džanan Medjedović, after which Zaim Pašić, President of the BH UK Network, addressed the audience, expressing his welcome and gratitude to the partners and institutions that continuously support the work of the BiH community in the United Kingdom. 
A special cultural and artistic contribution to the evening was made by Ileš Bečei and Elvir Solak from the Sarajevo National Theatre, while the Mayor of Birmingham, Zafar Iqbal OBE, also addressed the audience, emphasizing that Birmingham is proud to be one of the most diverse cities in the United Kingdom and that the Bosnian-Herzegovinian community holds a special place in its multicultural story. He emphasized that the city is a proud host to the Honorary Consulate of Bosnia and Herzegovina and praised the exceptional contribution of the Bosnian community to the social, cultural and humanitarian life of the city. 
The emotional part of the program was marked by the recitation of Haris Gazibegović, a graduate of the Bosnian supplementary school, while Afzal Hussain, deputy lord-lieutenant, addressed the audience. The evening was further enhanced by the students of the Bosnian supplementary school, Maja Gološ and Alma Gazibegović, with their performance that strongly reminded of the importance of preserving language, culture and identity among young generations. 
The central part of the evening was marked by the address of the Chairman of the Presidency of BiH, Željko Komšić, who thanked the BH UK Network, Dr. Waqar Azmi and the organization “Remembering Srebrenica” for everything they do for Bosnia and Herzegovina in the United Kingdom. He emphasized that Statehood Day carries a deep historical, identity and emotional meaning and symbolizes the tradition of multi-ethnicity, togetherness and values that must be preserved and passed on to future generations. 
He emphasized that Bosnia and Herzegovina still lives today by the idea of ZAVNOBiH from 1943 and 1944, as the idea of equality of peoples and citizens: “This is the idea of the equality of the peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina and our equality as individuals. This philosophy was even adopted by the Dayton Peace Agreement,” said Komšić. He recalled that on November 25, 1943, the statehood of Bosnia and Herzegovina was restored, emphasizing the continuity of its statehood throughout history – from the medieval state, through the Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian periods, to the republic within the former Yugoslavia. “If it were not for November 25, March 1 and the independence of Bosnia and Herzegovina would not have been possible. These two dates are interconnected,” emphasized the Chairman of the Presidency of BiH.
Chairman Komšić particularly praised the work of the BH UK Network, an organization that over three decades has grown into one of the most important pillars of the Bosnian diaspora in the United Kingdom, highlighting the great success of the purchase and renovation of the Bosnian House in Birmingham, which is today a recognizable community center and a symbol of friendship, solidarity and humanity.
He also expressed his gratitude to the institutions and citizens of the United Kingdom for their long-term support to Bosnians and Herzegovina who found refuge, safety and an opportunity for a new beginning in this country, stressing that the friendship shown by Great Britain towards Bosnia and Herzegovina is permanently inscribed in the collective consciousness of our people.
The program was very maturely and dignified by Emina Bolić, a graduate of the Bosnian supplementary school in Birmingham, which further emphasized the role of young people in preserving language, identity and tradition.
The ceremonial reception at the Bosnian House once again confirmed that the Bosnian and Herzegovinian community in the United Kingdom represents a strong bridge of friendship between the two countries, actively contributing to the cultural, social and public life of British society, while proudly preserving its identity and historical heritage.Bosnia UK Network
