Good Friday is a religious and public holiday in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is celebrated on the Friday before Easter Sunday as it commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his subsequent death. The observance forms part of Holy Week, during which various solemn religious activities take place.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Roman Catholic community predominantly celebrates Good Friday. Candles are lit in the churches and the Stations of the Cross are observed, which is a 14-step process that follows Jesus’ journey to his crucifixion. Catholics abstain from eating meat on this day, and an array of vegetarian and fish dishes are prepared as part of the tradition.
However, due to the multicultural, multireligious nature of Bosnia and Herzegovina, not all citizens participate in this holiday. The Bosniaks, who predominantly practice Islam, and the Serbian Orthodox Church community have their own holidays and traditions. Despite these differences, Good Friday, like other religious holidays, is respected throughout the country, and those who celebrate it are given the freedom and space to do so.