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NewsFebruary 25, 2025February 25, 2025

March 1st in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Celebrating Independence with History, Culture, and Adventure

March 1st: Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Non-Working Day and Its Significance

March 1st holds a special place in the hearts of many citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is celebrated as Independence Day, marking a crucial moment in the country’s history. For many, it is a day of reflection, patriotism, and unity, while for others, it is an opportunity to explore the country’s breathtaking landscapes and vibrant cultural heritage. Whether you prefer to commemorate the day with history, adventure, or relaxation, Bosnia and Herzegovina offers something for everyone.

The History of March 1st: A Pivotal Moment

On March 1, 1992, a referendum was held to determine whether Bosnia and Herzegovina should become independent from the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Over 60% of eligible voters participated, with an overwhelming majority voting in favor of independence. Shortly after, on April 6, 1992, Bosnia and Herzegovina was internationally recognized as an independent nation. Since then, March 1st has been commemorated as Independence Day, although its observance varies across different regions of the country.

Despite the political complexities surrounding the holiday, for many, March 1st is a day to celebrate national identity and the rich cultural diversity that defines Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is a non-working day, providing the perfect opportunity to explore the country, reflect on its history, and enjoy time with family and friends.

How to Celebrate March 1st in Bosnia and Herzegovina

1. Visit Historical Landmarks

March 1st presents an excellent opportunity to explore some of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s most significant historical sites. Here are a few must-visit destinations:

Sarajevo’s Eternal Flame – This iconic monument symbolizes resilience and peace, making it a fitting place to reflect on the country’s journey toward independence.
The Old Bridge of Mostar – A UNESCO World Heritage site, the bridge represents unity and perseverance, making it an inspiring visit on this special day.
The Tunnel of Hope (Sarajevo War Tunnel) – A key historical site that tells the story of Sarajevo’s survival during the war.
Jajce and the Birthplace of Yugoslavia – Though celebrating independence from Yugoslavia, visiting Jajce can provide insight into the country’s historical complexities.

2. Enjoy the Natural Beauty of Bosnia and Herzegovina

If history isn’t your main interest, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s natural wonders provide a fantastic way to celebrate Independence Day:

Kravica Waterfalls – A stunning natural attraction, perfect for a peaceful retreat.
Blidinje Nature Park – Ideal for hiking, skiing (if the weather allows), and reconnecting with nature.
Una National Park – A paradise for nature lovers, with opportunities for rafting and breathtaking views.
Vrelo Bosne (Spring of the Bosna River) – A tranquil spot near Sarajevo where visitors can take a scenic walk and enjoy the fresh air.

3. Indulge in Traditional Bosnian Cuisine

No celebration is complete without delicious food, and Bosnia and Herzegovina offers a variety of traditional dishes that make March 1st even more enjoyable. Some must-try dishes include:

Ćevapi – Grilled minced meat served with somun bread and onions.
Burek – A delicious pastry filled with meat, cheese, or spinach.
Begova Čorba – A rich, slow-cooked soup often served on special occasions.
Tufahija – A sweet treat made from poached apples stuffed with walnuts and sugar.

Enjoying these dishes with family or at a traditional Bosnian restaurant is a great way to immerse yourself in the cultural spirit of Independence Day.

4. Participate in Festivities and Cultural Events

Although formal Independence Day celebrations vary by region, Sarajevo and other major cities often host concerts, exhibitions, and patriotic gatherings. Many local communities organize traditional music performances, folklore shows, and poetry readings dedicated to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s rich history.

5. Take a Road Trip Across the Country

With the day off, many people choose to embark on a road trip to explore different parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina. A well-planned trip could include stops in:

Sarajevo – Experience the capital’s mix of Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, and modern influences.
Mostar – Walk along the cobblestone streets and marvel at the Old Bridge.
Trebinje – A charming town in Herzegovina known for its wine culture and Mediterranean vibe.
Travnik – A city rich in Ottoman history, famous for its vizier houses and Plava Voda spring.

The Symbolism of March 1st: A Day of Unity and Reflection

For many Bosnians, March 1st is more than just a non-working day—it is a time to reflect on the country’s struggles and triumphs. While the day is not universally recognized across all parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, it remains a symbol of resilience, hope, and the strength of the nation’s people.

Whether you spend the day visiting historical sites, enjoying the great outdoors, indulging in local delicacies, or simply reflecting on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s rich past, March 1st is a moment to appreciate the beauty and diversity of this remarkable country.

As Independence Day continues to be a topic of discussion, one thing remains clear—Bosnia and Herzegovina is a land of incredible landscapes, deep history, and a resilient spirit. No matter how you choose to celebrate, the day serves as a reminder of the nation’s journey and the bright future ahead.

Bosnia and Herzegovina NewsOctober 16, 2017October 16, 2017

EXIT TEAM IS STARTING A WINTER FESTIVAL AT THE OLYMPIC JAHORINA MOUNTAIN!

The great Exit Festival family will get another member next year! After in 2014, they started Sea Dance at Jaz Beach, a year later Revolution in Timisoara, and Sea Star in Umag this year, EXIT team are starting a new festival which will take place from March 15 to 18 next year at the Olympic Jahorina mountain!

The festival is designed to have both daytime and night events, but following the 2+2 formula which was used for the extremely successful Sea Star Festival in Istria. On the first day, the festival will have an evening warm-up party; in the next two days, it will be open at full capacity during both day and night, while the fourth day is reserved for the ending party during the day. More information about the new festival, its name and the names of its first performers will be available soon, and the first tickets for the most affordable, promotional prices will be available before starting the winter season.

Music festivals in mountain resorts are on the rise all over the world, and in Europe alone demand has already surpassed the offer of such events. EXIT team, in cooperation with the Jahorina Olympic Center, plans to position the new festival among the most important winter music festivals on the continent in a relatively short period of time.

This will place Jahorina among the attractive destinations in the regional festival network organized by the EXIT team, continuing the trend of connecting the region as the foundation of EXIT’s social mission, but also further positioning of the South Eastern Europe region as one of the most attractive destinations for youth and festival tourism which are on the big rise worldwide. Just like EXIT 2001 was the first mass gathering of young people after the wars of the nineties, all the events produced by EXIT team today gather people from all over the region, which creates a special atmosphere for the visitors from the rest of the world, named “EXIT magic” by some international media.

Furthermore, aside from new regional countries and promotion of the local destinations in the world, EXIT team continues to develop an all-year-long, 365 days a year experience, each year offering more and more events and festival days. This year as well, in the first, promotional wave of EXIT Festival ticket sales, tickets for other festivals will also be available, for the first, promotional prices, both individually and in a package, with savings going up to 80%!

Source:exitfest.org

Gastronomy NewsOctober 15, 2017October 15, 2017

World’s Longest Sarma Cooked in Croatia Entered The Guinness Book of Records

Sarma is every Slavs favorite dish, especially to South Slavs, but even the west Slavs love it and call it Gołąbki. In Croatia there is an event called ‘Zeljarijada’ that is held in the northern Croatian city of Varaždin, this was the 20th edition of the festival. It is a 3-day cultural and food loving festival to cook the longest sarma ever, this year they officially entered the Guinness Book of Records for the longest sarma in the world.
Each year their sarma is getting better, longer and bigger so if you get there by any chance you won’t leave hungry. This year they managed to make a 1,320-meter long sarma, officially the longest in the world and it took 22 cooks to make it that big.

What do you need to make the gigantic sarma?

1,200 pieces of cabbage,
300 kilograms of boneless beef,
410 kilograms of boneless pork,
55 kilograms of bacon,
75 kilograms of dried ribs,
75 kilograms of dried sausages,
105 kilograms of rice,
14 kilograms of vegeta,
70 kilograms of onions,
12 kilograms of salt,
2 kilograms of pepper,
700 eggs,
4.5 kilograms of garlic,
40 liters of oil and a lot of tomato concentrate.
So when you get all those ingredients and dozens of cooks you could beat the record. More than 10,000 people visited the festival this year.

Originally appeared on :slavorum.org

Gastronomy NewsOctober 15, 2017October 15, 2017

Guiness World Record Book : World’s Biggest Burek & Largest Ćevapi Ever Prepared in Tuzla

Last month Croatia set the Guinness World Record for the world’s longest sarma when a whopping 1,320-metre sarma was made at the Zeljarijada festival in Vidovec in the northern Croatian Varaždin County.

Now Bosnia and Herzegovina has joined in on the act. In the city of Tuzla today a huge meat burek, weighing 650 kilograms was revealed which they hope will earn them a place in the Guinness Book of Records.
Besides the massive burek, they also produced a gigantic portion of ćevapi, 1,500 pieces on a huge lepinja. They also hope that makes the Guinness Book of Records also.
“The dimension of the burek is 6 meters x 6 meters. 14 people took part in preparing it with the pastry measuring 1,500 meters in length,” Omer Isović, one of the organizers of the Tuzla Gastro Show.

U Tuzli napravljen burek od 650 kg i porcija s 1.500 ćevapa! Burek teži oko 650 kilograma, što je između četiri i pet hiljada porcija, a šest sati je pripreman u lokalnom restoranu, čiji su kuhari razvili kilometar i po jufke. #Tuzla #Burek

A post shared by Bosnians ?? (@bosnia.ba) on Oct 14, 2017 at 5:32am PDT

The measurements of the Burek will be sent to the Guinness World Records headquarters for confirmation that it was indeed the world’s largest.

NewsOctober 11, 2017October 11, 2017

Suspension of Visas for Turkey to U.S. Citizens on October 8, 2017

The government of Turkey announced the immediate suspension of visa services to U.S. citizens, effective October 8, 2017. According to the government’s announcement, this includes the issuance of physical “sticker” visas at border posts, and the online Turkish electronic visa (e-visa). U.S. citizens planning travel to Turkey, and who have questions regarding this regulation should contact the closest Embassy or Consulate of Turkey or the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The U.S. Embassy in Ankara, the Consulate General in Istanbul, the Consulate in Adana and the Consular Agency in Izmir remain open and continue to provide services to U.S. citizens in Turkey.

For further detailed information regarding Turkey and travel:

· See the State Department’s travel website<http://travel.state.gov/#_blank> for the Worldwide Caution<http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/alertswarnings/worldwide-caution.html#_blank>, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Turkey’s Country Specific Information<http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country/turkey.html#_blank>.

· Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program<https://step.state.gov/step/#_blank> (STEP<https://step.state.gov/step/#_blank>) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.

· Contact the U.S. Embassy in Ankara<https://tr.usembassy.gov/>, located at 110 Ataturk Boulevard, Kavaklidere, 06100 Ankara, at +90-312-455-5555, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. An after-hours emergency number for U.S. citizens is +90-312-455-5555 or +90-212-335-9000 (U.S. Consulate General Istanbul).

· Contact the U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul<https://tr.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/istanbul/>, located at Poligon Mahallesi, Sarıyer Caddesi, No:75, 34460, Istinye, Sariyer, at +90-212-335-9000.

· Contact the U.S. Consulate in Adana<https://tr.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/adana/>, located at 212 Girne Bulvari, Guzelevler Mahallesi, Yuregir, Adana at +90-322-455-4100.

· Contact the Consular Agency in Izmir at Izmir@state.gov<mailto:Izmir@state.gov>.

· Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

Originally appeared on : tr.usembassy.gov