"You don't get invited to Bratunac, you go to Bratunac": Commemoration for 34th anniversary of Serb suffering in Middle Podrinje and Birč regions

Bratunac hosted a central commemoration Friday, marking the 34th anniversary of the suffering of Serbs in the Middle Podrinje and Birč regions under the slogan, "You don't get invited to Bratunac, you go to Bratunac."

Serbian Orthodox Patriarch Porfirije led a liturgy at the Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God, where he was welcomed by key Republika Srpska leaders. These included President Siniša Karan, National Assembly President Nenad Stevandić, Prime Minister Savo Minić, and SNSD leader Milorad Dodik.

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Here in Podrinje, there were the most victims, villages were wiped out. As time passes, we must pass on memories to the young and leave hatred aside.

Prime Minister Savo Minić stressed the importance of prayer for all Serbian victims, particularly in the Podrinje region where many villages were destroyed. He emphasized passing memories to younger generations while setting aside hatred, stating, "Peace must be guaranteed." Minić also criticized "selective justice" from the international community and Bosnia and Herzegovina's judiciary, asserting that only Republika Srpska and its institutions can ensure self-sustainability and protection.

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The international community and the BiH judiciary are sending clear messages. The verdicts speak for themselves. It has become normal for them to abolish our symbols on flags. Everything is clear here. Only Srpska and our institutions are important, because self-sustainability can protect us.

Filipović, president of the Organization of Families of Captured and Fallen Fighters and Missing Civilians in Bratunac, highlighted the immense suffering and the decimation of the Serbian population in the 20th century. She noted that entire Serbian villages were erased, and families, including multiple generations, were killed. "It is important that we speak the truth and talk about this even when they don't ask us," she stated.

The commemoration included a procession to the city cemetery for a memorial service and wreath-laying at the Monument Cross. A central ceremony at noon honored the 3,267 killed Serbian civilians and soldiers.

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The Serbian population was halved in the 20th century. All Serbian villages in Podrinje and Birč were wiped off the face of the earth. They killed civilians, women, children, the elderly, entire families, three generations disappeared in an instant. That is why it is important that we speak the truth and talk about this even when they do not ask us.