Vašari su na Balkanu dio tradicije i društvenog okupljanja koji se današnjom terminologijom može okarakterisati kao sajam. U prošlosti, ovakav vid okupljanja je bio jedan od najvažnijih društvenih događaja, jer se na njima tragovalo i zabavljalo. Jedna od najvećih i najpoznatijih ovakvih manifestacija u bivšoj Jugoslaviji je Derventski vašar, koji je privredno - zabavna manifestacija međunarodnog karaktera i jedna od najstarih u Bosni i Hercegovini. Svojim brojnim i raznovrsnim sadržajima, vašar privlači posjetioce i turiste, prije svega sa prostora opštine Derventa i susjednih opština Prnjavor, Brod, Srbac, Modriča i Doboj, ali i i šire. Nekada je na ovim manifestacijama bilo prisutno više od 100.000 ljudi svakog dana, najviše iz BiH, ali i iz Hrvatske, Srbije itd. Od svog nastanka vašar najznačajniji događaj u Derventi, a služio je kao jedinstvena prilika za prikupljanje i razmjenu informacija, dogovaranje poslova, upoznavanje mladih, „pokazivanje“ mladića i djevojaka za udaju. Prema istorijskim podacima i narodnim predanjima, početak održavanja vašara dovodi se u vezu sa početkom izgradnje pravoslavne crkve Uspenja Presvete Bogorodice – Velika Gospojina u Derventi. Podizanje crkve, na molbu pravoslavnih vjernika, odobrio je svojim FERMANOM osmanski sultan ABDUL MEDŽID PRVI 1851. godine. Prema predanju i naredbi Sultana prvi dan vašara pripao je Pravoslavcima, drugi dan Katolicima, a treći dan Muslimanima. Početak izgradnje crkve vjernici su obilježili iste godine narodnim veseljem – prvim vašarom. Gradnja crkve, koja je posvećena prazniku Velika Gospojina, završena je 1855. godine, a crkva je osveštana 1862. godine. Vašar je u turskom periodu održavan u porti crkve. Vašar dobija na značaju za vrijeme austrougarske uprave, kada je bio jedan od najvećih u Bosni i Hercegovini. Nazivan je Godišnji vašar, a obilježavan je od 28 – 31. avgusta. Bio je značajan po trgovini stokom, ali i drugom poljoprivrednom i zanatskom robom. U tom periodu mjesto održavanja sajma pomjereno je iz crkvenog dvorišta na drugu obalu Ukrine, na Sajmište gdje se i danas održava. Održavanje vašara prekidano je tokom ratova u 20. vijeku, a poslije Drugog svjetskog rata duže od jedne decenije skromno je obilježavan. Od sredine 20. vijeka, Vašar osim privrednog sve više dobija i zabavni karakter. Obogaćivan je uslugama ugostitelja, luna parkom, igrama na sreću i drugim sadržajima. Uz Vašar kao centralni događaj, sve više počinju da se organizuju privredne, sportske, kulturne i umjetničke manifestacije.
*****************************************************************
ENGLISH
The fairgrounds in the Balkans are part of a tradition and social gathering that today can be termed as a fair. In the past, this type of gathering was one of the most important social events because they were sought after and entertained. One of the largest and most famous manifestations of this kind in the former Yugoslavia is the Dervent Fair, which is an economically entertaining event of international character and one of the oldest in Bosnia and Herzegovina. With its numerous and varied contents, the fair attracts visitors and tourists, especially from the area of Derventa and neighboring municipalities of Prnjavor, Brod, Srbac, Modrica and Doboj, but also beyond. Once upon a time, more than 100,000 people were present at these events, mostly from BiH, but also from Croatia, Serbia, etc. Since its inception, the fair has been the most significant event in Derventa, serving as a unique opportunity to gather and share information, arrange business deals, meet young people, "show" young men and girls to marry. According to historical records and folk tales, the beginning of the maintenance of the fairs is connected with the beginning of the construction of the Orthodox Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Our Lady of Derventa. The erection of the church, at the request of Orthodox believers, was approved by his FERMAN the Ottoman Sultan ABDUL MEDJID FIRST 1851 According to the legend and order of the Sultan, the first day of the fair was attributed to the Orthodox, the second day to the Catholics, and the third day to the Muslims. The beginning of church construction was marked by the faithful in the same year by the people's joy - the first fair. The construction of the church, which is dedicated to the feast of the Virgin Mary, was completed in 1855, and the church was consecrated in 1862. The fair was held in the port of the church during the Turkish period. Fairgrounds gained in importance during the Austro-Hungarian rule, when it was one of the largest in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was called the Annual Fair, and was celebrated from August 28 - 31. He was notable for his livestock trade but also for other agricultural and handicraft goods.
