The Association of Slovenians of the RS "Triglav" and the MePZ "Davorin Jenko" received an invitation to participate in a wonderful event at the "Semberija" Cultural Center in Bijeljina, on May 29, 2026.
The 20th anniversary of the Slovak Association "Juraj Janošik" from this city was marked by a ceremonial gathering and a review of national minorities.
We started our trip in a good mood already by getting on the bus, where together with our colleagues from the Italian choir "Pietro Mascagni" and representatives of the Association of Czechs "Češka beseda" we set off towards Bijeljina with songs and laughter. We took a break and a short walk through the ethnic village of Stanišići, where we enjoyed the beautiful nature and freshened up a bit. We continued our journey to Bijeljina and the "Lovac" restaurant, where the warm and cheerful hosts and staff welcomed us with a truly delicious and rich lunch. After a great, hearty lunch, we headed to the Cultural Center where the event was being held, to once again rehearse the songs we will introduce ourselves with and get ready for the performance.
The event brought together several associations of national minorities, who presented themselves with a rich cultural and artistic program, dance, song, but also exhibitions and culinary skills.
Given that this event is taking place outside Banja Luka for the first time, it gathered a large number of visitors and I believe it left a good impression on everyone present. The honor of opening this festival was with the Ambassador of the Czech Republic to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Roman Hloben. Franjo Rover, President of the Union of National Minorities of Republika Srpska, thanked everyone for the participation and emphasized the importance of presenting all the diversity, but also mutual respect and unity of all peoples and nationalities in this way.
On the big stage of the Culture Center, all associations presented themselves with song and dance, and then we went down to the exhibition halls where three exhibitions were opened. The Association of Ukrainians prepared its exhibition about its great poet Taras Shevchenko, the Association of Czechs the exhibition "Skoda" and the Association of Italians "Fiat". In the end, as a reward, there was a table full of different delicacies awaited us, where our hard-working members tried to show their diversity and skills not only in art but also in food. With wine, songs, laughter and tasting, we finished another of our gatherings and headed home in a good mood.
Although we were a bit tired, we were happy and content and, singing all the way, we safely arrived in our Banja Luka. Until our next get-together, we will remember and recount the events of this great day for a long time.
Ljiljana Vidović
