Day of Republika Srpska

Public holiday in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Day of the Republic

President Milorad Dodik kissing the flag in front of the honour guard during the national day, 2018

Official name| Proclamation of Serb Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Also called| Saint Stephen's Day
Observed by| Republika Srpska
Date| January 9
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9 January 2026 (2026-01-09)
Frequency| annual

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Day of Republika Srpska (Serbian: Дан Републике Српске, romanized: Dan Republike Srpske) is a formerly official national holiday of the Republika Srpska, which has been proclaimed unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The holiday is celebrated on 9 January, and its unofficial patron saint is Saint Archdeacon Stephen—historically being patron saint of medieval Kotromanić dynasty kings bearing their first name after him—which falls on the same day.[1][2]

## 9 January 1992

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On 9 January 1992 in Sarajevo, the constitutional Assembly of the Serbian people in Bosnia and Herzegovina issued the Declaration of the proclamation of the Republic of Serbian people of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a main goal of seceding from Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina which after the war continued its existence as Bosnia and Herzegovina. The republic has been proclaimed on the territories of Serb Autonomous Regions, including the areas where Serbs were constituting a relative majority.

## After 2015 constitutional ban

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The Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina declared the holiday unconstitutional on 26 November 2015, stating that the main issue for it being coinciding with a religious holiday.[3] The ruling was ignored by the Republika Srpska government.

On 25 September 2016, a referendum, also proclaimed unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court, was held concerning the topic was held.

As recently as 2025, participants took part in celebrating the disputed Day of Republika Srpska, ignoring condemnation from Bosniak leaders and a ban imposed by the country's Constitutional Court. Despite the court ruling that the holiday was unconstitutional, and fierce criticism by Bosniaks and part of the international community, celebrations took place throughout Republika Srpska, including parades and performances.[4]

## See also

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* 2016 Republika Srpska National Day referendum

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Zakon o praznicima Republike Srpske". Zakoni (in Serbian). People's Assembly of Republika Srpska. 27 July 2005. Archived from the original on 11 June 2009. Retrieved 10 April 2009.
2. ^ Пријеми поводом Дана РС и крсне славе („РТРС”, 4. јануар 2014), Приступљено 3. 1. 2017.
3. ^ "Bosnian Serbs Celebrate Contentious 'Republika Srpska Day'". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 9 January 2020.
4. ^ "Bosnian Serbs Mark 'Illegal' Holiday with Grand Parade". 9 January 2020.

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Republika Srpska articles

History|

* Serb Autonomous Regions
* Bosanska Krajina
* Herzegovina
* North-East Bosnia
* Romanija
* Republika Srpska (1992–1995)
* Bosnian War
* Dayton Agreement
* 1997–1998 crisis

Geography|

* Municipalities
* Brčko District
* Bosanska Krajina
* East Herzegovina

Politics|

* Government
* Constitution
* President
* List
* Vice Presidents
* Prime Minister
* National Assembly
* Speaker
* Senate
* Elections
* Referendums
* Proposed secession

Economy|

* Banja Luka Stock Exchange
* BIRS
* ERS10
* FIRS
* Securities Commission
* Confederation of Trade Unions
* Currency
* Former currency
* Railway
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Culture|

* Seal
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* Academy of Sciences and Arts
* National and University Library
* Archives
* Museum of Modern Art
* Association of Writers

Other|

* Army of Republika Srpska
* Ministry of Defence
* General Staff
* Police of Republika Srpska
* Ministry of Interior
* Honour Unit
* Police Band
* Eastern Orthodoxy in Bosnia and Herzegovina
* Vehicle registration plates
* Order of the Republika Srpska
* Football Association
* Official football team
* National day
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