DODIK: PRESERVE THE SERB NATIONAL IDENTITY IN DRVAR

BANJA LUKA, JULY 27 /SRNA/ - President Milorad Dodik congratulated the Day of the Municipality of Drvar and stated that everyone should be persistent in one goal - to preserve the Serb national identity in that place of turbulent and honorable history, and to ensure that Serbs there live more freely every day.

"Drvar is a municipality that raised an uprising against fascism, one that fought against fascism in the most brutal way, endured suffering, and was sung about in the song 'Oh Drvar, three times you burned, but to the Swabians you never submitted'," Dodik stated in a video post on "X" congratulating the Day of the Municipality of Drvar.

Dodik emphasized that Drvar is loved in a special way and that many people from Drvar around the world proudly point out their origins.

"Drvar also suffered in the last war, fighting for its identity. It remained free until the end of the Defense-Patriotic War and, unfortunately, due to the actions of Croatian and Muslim units, Drvar was captured, and the population had to leave," Dodik reminded.

He emphasized that the brave and the bravest live there again and that these are people who do not let the idea of Drvar and its significance fade away.

"They are the ones who will not allow that glorious name to disappear; they are the most deserving of the life that is difficult, complex, and challenging, but is nevertheless a life unfolding in the city of Drvar itself," Dodik said.

Dodik pointed out that Republika Srpska and Serbia give importance to Drvar, but if it weren't for those people who attract attention in order to help in whatever way possible, Drvar would have been a long-lost story.

"Therefore, on the day when the Day of the Municipality is celebrated, I want to say once again that we must be persistent in one goal - to preserve our Serb national identity in Drvar and ensure that our people there live more freely every day in terms of identity, and that we from Republika Srpska and Serbia do everything to offer Drvar some economic alternatives," Dodik said.

He explained that this is sometimes difficult, especially in complex circumstances, but that hope should not be lost.

"I want you all to gather on this day around the idea called Drvar and celebrate the Day of the Municipality in an appropriate, Serbian way. Long live Drvar, long live Republika Srpska, and long live Serbia!" Dodik proclaimed.

In Drvar, on July 27, 1941, the people's uprising against the fascist occupier began, which soon spread to neighboring areas, giving this date a special place in the history of the struggle for freedom.