The Derventa fair (fair) is an economic and entertainment manifestation of international character, one of the oldest manifestations in Bosnia and Herzegovina and one of the largest fairs in the former Yugoslavia. It is held every year on the Orthodox holiday of Our Lady, August 28, and has a tradition since 1851.
With its numerous and varied contents, the fair attracts numerous visitors and tourists, primarily from the area of the municipality of Derventa and the neighboring municipalities of Prnjavor, Brod, Srbac, Modriča and Doboj, but also from all over Bosnia and Herzegovina and beyond. Since its inception, the fair has been the most important event in Derventa, and it served as a unique opportunity for gathering and exchanging information, arranging jobs, meeting young people, “showing off” young men and women for marriage…
According to historical data and folklore, the beginning of the fair is connected with the beginning of the construction of the Orthodox Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary – Velika Gospojina in Derventa.The construction of the church, at the request of Orthodox believers, was approved by a decree in 1851 by Ottoman Sultan Abdul Međid I. The beginning of the construction of the church was marked by the faithful in the same year with a public celebration – the first fair. The construction of the church, which is dedicated to the feast of Our Lady, was completed in 1855, and the church was consecrated in 1862. In the Turkish period, the fair was held in the church gate.
Vašar gained importance during the Austro-Hungarian administration, when it was one of the largest in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was called the Annual Fair, and it was celebrated from August 28 – 31. It was important for the trade in livestock, but also in other agricultural and craft goods. In that period, the venue of the fair was moved from the churchyard to the other bank of Ukraine, to Sajmište, where it is still held today.
The holding of the fair was interrupted during the wars of the 20th century, and after the Second World War it was modestly celebrated for more than a decade. Since the middle of the 20th century, Vašar, in addition to the economic one, has increasingly acquired an entertainment character. It is enriched with catering services, an amusement park, games of chance and other contents.With Vashar as the central event, more and more economic, sports, cultural and artistic events are starting to be organized.
In 1992, the Orthodox holiday of the Virgin Mary was proclaimed as the celebration of the baptism of the municipality of Derventa, and the fair with other contents was called the Assembly of the Virgin Mary. During the Assembly, the municipality’s baptismal glory is celebrated, recognitions are awarded to prominent personalities and institutions, business and tourism fairs, somiadas and fischiadas, sand volleyball and handball tournaments, motorcades, music concerts and more are held.
Source: Derventa Cafe