CENTRAL MEMORIAL TO FALLEN FIGHTERS UNVEILED AND CONSECRATED

BANJA LUKA, JANUARY 8 /SRNA/ – On the occasion of January 9, Republic Day of Republika Srpska, the Central Memorial dedicated to a total of 25,830 fallen fighters of the Republika Srpska Defensive-Patriotic War was unveiled and consecrated today in Banja Luka.

The memorial was consecrated by Bishop Sava of Marča, with the concelebration of several priests of the Eparchy of Banja Luka.

Following the unveiling, wreaths were laid by Acting President of Republika Srpska Ana Trišić Babić, the Serb member of the Presidency of BiH Željka Cvijanović, Prime Minister Savo Minić, as well as representatives of institutions of Serbia.

Wreaths were also laid by associations of Republika Srpska formed from the Defensive-Patriotic War and by representatives of the Banja Luka City Administration.

At the central part of the monument, a cross has been erected bearing the message: “The memory of you is our sacred temple. Within it, your bright and sacrificial offering will never die.”

The memorial also features plaques bearing the names of fallen fighters who defended Republika Srpska.

According to data from the Republic Center for Research of War, War Crimes and Missing Persons, a total of 25,830 soldiers were killed during the Defensive-Patriotic War of Republika Srpska, including 18,818 fighters of the Army of Republika Srpska.

January 9 is celebrated as the Republic Day of Republika Srpska because on that date in 1992 it was established under its original name, the Serb Republic of BiH.

It was founded by Serb deputies in the then Assembly of BiH after they were outvoted on key issues regarding the survival of Yugoslavia, while representatives of the other two constituent peoples moved toward secession against the will of the Serbs, who held the status of a constituent people.