Day Of The Republika Srpska
The Day of Republika Srpska (known as Dan Republike Srpske / Дан Републике Српске in Serbo-Croatian) is a national holiday in Republika Srpska. The Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina declared it unconstitutional.
Bosnia and Herzegovina (Local holiday)It’s a public holiday in Republika Srpska, so it’s not only a day when many businesses, government offices, and schools are closed, but also a day when many working people have the day off. This day is observed annually on January 9th, and it’s a holiday that’s so important it even has its own unofficial patron saint: Saint Archdeacon Stephen.
The History of The Day of Republika Srpska
In Sarajevo, the constitutional Assembly of the Serbian people in Bosnia and Herzegovina issued the Declaration of the Proclamation of the Republic of the Serbian People of Bosnia and Herzegovina on January 9th, 1992. The main purpose of this was to secede from the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which had been merged with Republika Srpska.
On November 26th, 2015, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Constitutional Court declared the holiday unconstitutional. However, this ruling was ignored by the government of Republika Srpska. In 2016, a referendum was held on the holiday, but the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina ruled that the referendum was also unconstitutional.
In March of 2019, the Republika Srpska Assembly passed a law that declared January 9th of each year as a secular holiday. Despite condemnation from Bosniak leaders and a ban that has been imposed on the holiday, it is still observed throughout Republika Srpska to this day. The political party Naša Stranka from Sarajevo has stated that a self-proclaimed republic run by convicted war criminals represents the bottom of the barrel of civilization.
Observing The Day of Republika Srpska
Even though this holiday is controversial in Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is not controversial in Republika Srpska and is, in fact, observed with much enthusiasm. On this day, there are musical performances, theatrical productions, parades, and other events. There are also many political speeches given by local leaders and politicians on this day.
Bosnia and Herzegovina (Local holiday)
