KARAN: CANDLEMAS - SYMBOL OF UNITY AND CONTINUITY OF STATE-BUILDING THOUGHT

BANJA LUKA, FEBRUARY 13 /SRNA/ – Constitutional law professor Siniša Karan emphasizes the Declaration protecting national and political rights and common future of the Serb people represents a concrete and responsible statesmanlike response to the historical experiences through which the Serb people has passed.

"History teaches us a simple, but also difficult truth: where the Serb people had their own state, their institutional protection, and political organisation, they survived. Where they were left without statehood or constituent status, they were exposed to assimilation, marginalization, existential endangerment, even genocide. These are painful experiences, but also lessons that oblige today's generations to act responsibly," Karan told SRNA on the occasion of marking Candlemas/Sretenje – Statehood Day of the Republic of Serbia and Statehood Day of Republika Srpska. Professor Karan emphasized that the Pan-Serb Assembly, presided by His Holiness Patriarch Porfirije, President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić, and President of Republika Srpska Milorad Dodik, represents a strong symbol of unity between the people, the state, and the Church. "Faith has been the pillar of our identity through the centuries. It preserved us when we did not have a state; it was a strong support when we were rebuilding it. Therefore, the essence of the Pan-Serb Declaration is in preserving the national identity, unity, and connecting our people wherever they are. Wherever the Serb people live, they should be aware that they have their Republika Srpska and the Republic of Serbia, the guarantors of their survival and equality," Karan said. He pointed out that the joint celebration of Candlemas – Statehood Day of the Republic of Serbia and Statehood Day of Republika Srpska is a symbol of unity and continuity of state-building thought. "Candlemas is a symbol of historical continuity from Karađorđe to the present day, of state consciousness from the Candlemas Constitution to modern state-building acts and a shared future. Our obligation today is to strengthen institutional ties, protect the rights of our people, and ensure stability, peace, and development for the generations to come," Karan said. He congratulated all citizens of Srpska and Serbia on Candlemas – Statehood Day of Republika Srpska and Statehood Day of the Republic of Serbia!