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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Sretenje Constitution proclaimed freedom, independence and peacefulness

Kragujevac, 15 February 2024

Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said today at the traditional ceremony marking Sretenje in Kragujevac that the Sretenje Constitution proclaimed the fundamental values of our people - freedom, independence and peacefulness.

In her speech, Brnabic underlined that the ideas and ideals contained in the Sretenje Constitution resolutely and publicly proclaimed the fundamental values that have been the heritage of the Serbian people for centuries.

Freedom, independence, peacefulness are just some of the ideals skillfully incorporated into the content of the Sretenje Constitution, said Brnabic.

The Prime Minister noted that the ceremony is taking place in the historic space of the Old Assembly, where the Sretenje Constitution was proclaimed on this day in 1835, which is the first basic and fundamental legal act of our homeland, a pledge of our statehood and independence, a bulwark of our freedom.

Therefore, allow me to share with you the feeling of true honour and responsibility, because I have the opportunity to address all our citizens on the national holiday from this very source of modern Serbian statehood and constitutionalism, said the Prime Minister.

She recalled that the Sretenje Constitution was not only the first basic legal act of Serbia, but also one of the most democratic constitutions in Europe at the time.

Small in territory, but strong in spirit, freedom, insubordination and vision, the Principality of Serbia gave birth to one of the most significant legal monuments of Europe in the entire 19th century, she stated.

Brnabic said that Serbia is among the few countries in the world, if not the only one, that celebrates its national holiday in memory of two first-rate important historical events that took place on the same day, in the same month, in two different years.

Therefore, today we celebrate Statehood Day, but also Constitution Day of our fatherland. This year, we are doing it more solemnly, in a more organised way and on a larger scale than ever before, Brnabic pointed out.

According to her, at the request and initiative of President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic, the government made a decision that starting this year, the national holiday will be marked and celebrated through a whole series of events throughout Serbia, in which a large number of cultural institutions, experts, creators, authorities and security forces are involved.

This is a day to be proud of and to be thankful for. This is the day when we point to the glory and duration of our homeland, which is the basic message of this year's unified celebration of the national holiday, the Prime Minister noted.

Brnabic pointed out that freedom, sovereignty and independence are not just gifts, but that they are painstakingly won and even more painstakingly kept.

She underlined that we live in a time of numerous, very complex and dangerous security, political, identity and other challenges.

Our response to all these challenges is very simple. Our strength lies in our people, unity, harmony and agreement. Only united in our loyalty to the motherland and the readiness to improve, strengthen and enrich it in every aspect of its existence, can we all together ensure a better, safer and happier future for our children, Brnabic concluded.

The ceremony marking Sretenje was held in the building of the Old Assembly in Kragujevac, where the Sretenje Constitution was adopted in 1835, in the presence of numerous ministers and representatives of the local self-government.

The ceremony also featured a cultural and artistic programme and it ended with the song "Arise, Serbia".