CVIJANOVIC: EXHIBITION ON SERBIAN OFFICERS - DEBT TO ALL SERBIAN HEROES

BANJA LUKA, SEPTEMBER 29 /SRNA/ - Serb member of the BiH Presidency Željka Cvijanović today opened the exhibition "Heroes on the Ramparts of Republika Srpska" at the Museum of Republika Srpska in Banja Luka, saying it is dedicated to three Serbian heroes, as well as to all the soldiers and officers who defended Republika Srpska when it was most needed.

"Many gave their lives and parts of their bodies for Republika Srpska, while some continued with us to develop Republika Srpska, serve as good advisers and be a pillar of our society," Cvijanović told reporters in Banja Luka.

The exhibition is dedicated to the lives and legacies of Lieutenant General Momir Talić, Colonel and pilot Zlatan Crnalić, and Lieutenant Colonel and pilot Slobodan Kusturić. Cvijanović stressed that the exhibition also represents a debt to history and to these and all other outstanding officers.

"We must rescue from oblivion the sacrifices made for freedom, thanks to which we live today. We owe gratitude to the honorable officers who showed how to fight for Republika Srpska, protecting our homes and hearths," Cvijanović stressed.

The exhibition's curator and author, Ostoja Railić, said that it is a comprehensive presentation of the life paths of the three officers of the Army of Republika Srpska.

"It also presents parts of their legacies. The process of collecting material began in 2021, when the concept of the project was developed. Previously, we had exhibitions on Nikola Koljević and Milan Jelić. If we obtain material on some other officers, we can continue further," Railić said.

Director of the Museum of Republika Srpska Davor Strika said that the institution is committed to continuing to preserve the memory of the Defensive-Patriotic War, as well as the period of the defense and creation of Republika Srpska.

He noted that Serb member of the BiH Presidency Željka Cvijanović, President Milorad Dodik and other officials and institutions of Republika Srpska have supported and continue to support the Museum’s activities.

The exhibition and accompanying publication feature brief biographies of three officers of the Army of Republika Srpska: Lieutenant General Momir Talić /1942-2003/, Colonel and pilot Zlatan Crnalić /1963-2024/, and Lieutenant Colonel and pilot Slobodan Kusturić /1955-1993/, as well as items and documents from their legacies.

A total of 49 items and documents, 34 photographs and 14 accompanying texts are on display.

The process of collecting material from the history of Republika Srpska was financed by the Ministry of Education and Culture.

The documents and items are numerous and varied, including orders, medals, charters and other acts on the awarding of decorations, uniforms, helmets, caps, pilots’ flight suits and jackets, berets, diplomas, documents of various provenance, topographic maps, working notes, magazines, brochures and insignia.