A ceremonial flag-raising took place Monday on Mount Hum overlooking Sarajevo to commemorate Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Statehood Day. The event featured the national anthem and the hoisting of the country’s flag, attended by members of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina (AFBiH), Presidency members Zeljko Komsic and Denis Becirovic, as well as delegations from the Sarajevo Canton and the City of Sarajevo.

Following the flag-raising, the Presidency members were scheduled to lay wreaths at key memorial sites. These include the “Eternal Flame” monument, the Kovaci Memorial Cemetery, and the grave of Alija Izetbegovic, the first president of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Later in the day, the official program will continue with visits to the Memorial for the Children of Besieged Sarajevo and the Vraca Memorial Park, honouring victims and preserving the memory of those who suffered during the country’s turbulent history.The day’s events will culminate in an evening reception at the iconic Sarajevo City Hall, the Vijecnica, starting at 6 pm. This reception will bring together officials, dignitaries, and citizens to celebrate Statehood Day and reflect on the country’s rich heritage and shared future.

In honour of Statehood Day, flowers were laid and respects paid to Alija Izetbegovic, the first president of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, at the Kovaci Martyrs’ Cemetery in Sarajevo. Presidency members Zeljko Komsic and Denis Becirovic attended the ceremony, which emphasized the historical significance of the day and its pivotal role in shaping Bosnia's independence and statehood.

Komsic highlighted the importance of preserving the memory of past struggles for future generations. “The generations to come must know what happened. My generation defended Bosnia and Herzegovina, and now it is up to the new generations to be wiser,” he said.

Expressing cautious optimism, Komsic reflected on the evolving global landscape. “I’m genuinely optimistic. Even in this emerging new world, where things will never be the same, I trust that the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina will safeguard this country. The legacy of those who achieved statehood and independence will remain a cornerstone of our collective consciousness. Despite the resistance, both from the surrounding region and within Bosnia itself, I believe in our resilience.”

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Becirovic likened Statehood Day and Independence Day to “Siamese twins,” explaining that neither would hold meaning without the other. “The foundations laid by ZAVNOBiH are unbreakable, like steel. The continuity of the Bosnian state, its borders, and the equality of its citizens and peoples were all reaffirmed by the Dayton Agreement in 1995,” he stated.

Looking to the future, Becirovic stressed the importance of unity. “In these new times, we must stand united in defending Bosnia and Herzegovina. We have every reason to be optimistic. A European, civic Bosnia and Herzegovina is a historical inevitability and will prevail sooner or later.”

The ceremony poignantly reminded us of the sacrifices made for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s sovereignty and the enduring legacy of those who fought for its independence.