Over the weekend, Bosnians and Herzegovinians across the UK gathered in Coventry this year to mark Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Statehood Day in a dignified manner.
As a date that symbolizes and confirms the multiethnic character and equality of our citizens, it is important that we celebrated it in as many numbers as possible and in a joyful atmosphere. At the historic session of ZAVNOBIH held on November 25, 1943 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.
This year’s event started with the national anthem, and Zaim Pašić and Almin Kazić spoke on behalf of the hosts with words of welcome.
Those present were addressed by HE Vanja Filipović, Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the United Kingdom. With congratulations to the Bosnia and Herzegovina community in Great Britain on the celebration of this important date, Mr. E. Filipović once again thanked all our citizens who registered for the last elections in our homeland. For the first time, our citizens were able to vote at the BiH Embassy in London.
After the welcoming speeches, a cultural and entertainment program was organized by the students of Bosnia and Herzegovina secondary schools in Coventry and Hertfordshire.
It was especially pleasing to see the second generation of children singing and reciting in honor of Bosnia and Herzegovina, thus nurturing the tradition, culture and identity of the climate to which their parents belong. An event like this sends a wonderful image to the wider British public that we Bosnians and Herzegovina are a proud European nation with a rich and varied tradition.
The hall where the Statehood Day was celebrated was filled with warmth, tradition, dance, song and the colors of our wonderful Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The event ended with the performance of the folklore group “Mladost Bosne” from Birmingham, which once again delighted everyone present. Dressed in national costumes, they embellished the program on several occasions with a mix of games, under the watchful eye of choreographer Fahira Hasedžić, and the large audience selflessly rewarded them with applause.
For the musical part of the event, credit goes to our already well-known Sefer Haskić, who has been contributing to the preservation of Bosnian and Herzegovinian cultural heritage in the UK for more than 25 years. The gathering continued late into the night, with friends, family and acquaintances.
BH UK Network
