The Serbian Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina has cancelled its planned reception for Serbia’s Statehood Day and Army Day, which was scheduled to take place on February 13 at the Hills Hotel in Ilidza, Sarajevo. Pročitaj više

According to the Embassy, the event was cancelled by the hotel itself due to media coverage and security concerns. “The Embassy of the Republic of Serbia in Bosnia and Herzegovina thanks Hotel Hills for its professional and correct cooperation,” the Embassy stated.

The announcement of the Serbian Army Day celebration sparked strong reactions, with critics calling it a provocation and an insult to the victims of the Bosnian War. Among the first to condemn the event was Ahmed Kulanic, director of the Sarajevo Memorial Center.

“Celebrating Serbian Army Day at Ilidza, Sarajevo’s capital, is a provocation and a sign of disrespect towards the victims of the aggression on Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Serbian Army, as the legal successor of the Yugoslav Army, played a direct role in the events that led to the genocide in Srebrenica, the siege of Sarajevo, and numerous other crimes against humanity. Organizing such an event at Ilidza, a site of wartime atrocities, only reinforces negative connotations and causes unrest among citizens,” Kulanic stated.

He added that such actions do not contribute to regional reconciliation but rather deepen divisions and offend the memory of innocent victims.

Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) entity Minister of the Interior Ramo Isak also strongly opposed the event, calling for its immediate ban.

“It is inconceivable that an army directly involved in the aggression against Bosnia and Herzegovina would celebrate its day in its capital. This decision is the most blatant provocation, rubbing salt in the wounds of victims of Serbian aggression. The people of Bosnia and Herzegovina can never rejoice in the Serbian Army, as it reminds them of genocide and the worst war crimes committed in this region,” Isak said.

He urged authorities to prohibit the event, stating, “Those who deny genocide, belittle the victims of aggression, and advocate for the division of our country are not welcome in Sarajevo.”

FBiH Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Nedzad Lokmic also condemned the planned celebration, highlighting that February 13 marks the anniversary of the Markale massacre, one of the most tragic events in Sarajevo’s history.

“We cannot remain silent in the face of this vile provocation. This event is a slap in the face to all those who lost their loved ones, who spent years in shelters, and who witnessed the horrors of war. Such actions devalue the memory of the genocide in Srebrenica, the siege of Sarajevo, and all other war crimes against our people,” Lokmic stated.

He accused the Serbian Embassy of undermining diplomatic norms and engaging in historical revisionism. “We will not allow the truth about the aggression, genocide, and suffering of our people to be forgotten,” Lokmic concluded.