The Republic of Srpska

‘’Throughout the centuries, we have faced different trials and have often been under occupiers, yet at the same time, they could not take from us what is inside us, what is our being. We lost our territory, our home, and our lands, but we have always remained who we are. Even in the most challenging times, we were creators and builders whom the entire world admires today. The world often hates us, rejects us, yet it is not reason for us to hate back. 

Our faith is our identity card. This Orthodox faith within our people has made us people worthy of Christ’s name’’, His Holiness Serbian Patriarch Porfirije said during the liturgy held in the courtyard of the Church of the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God in Bratunac. 

Today, thousands of citizens from all parts of the Republic of Srpska and the Republic of Serbia gathered to honour the memory of the 3, 267 killed Serb civilians and soldiers in the Podrinje and Birač regions. 

The 34th anniversary of the mass suffering of citizens in this region is marked under the slogan ’’You do not get invited to Bratunac, you go to Bratunac’’. The leadership of the Republic of Srpska, governments of Serbia and Montenegro, the Third Infantry (the Republic of Srpska) Regiment of the Armed Force BiH,  mayors of municipalities from the middle Podrinje and Birač, and local communities in Srpska, as well as a large number of hierarchs, clergy, and believers paid tribute to the victims and sent messages of peace and reminders that these crimes must never be forgotten. Police officers of the Zvornik Police Administration took planned measures and actions to ensure that the event proceeded peacefully and without traffic delays.