Today, the 90th anniversary of the Banja Luka Academic Club (KAB) was celebrated in the city. We had the opportunity to hear from long-time members of the KAB about its brief history, the importance of the organization’s work in Banja Luka, and the significance of preserving the memory of this rich history.
KAB was founded on August 16, 1934, by Banja Luka students with the aim of advocating for better living conditions and a better society. Inspired by revolutionary ideas, these students actively worked at the university, among the youth, and with workers, spreading progressive ideas of progress, knowledge, enlightenment, and democracy. By 1940, KAB had 150 members out of 250 Banja Luka students.
In early 1940, KAB was banned, and its revolutionary activities continued through the partisan movement. Members of KAB, such as Nikola Nikica Pavlić and Borivoje Ilić, were also members of the local SKOJ committee. During the People’s Liberation War, 30 members or former members of KAB heroically lost their lives.
In the post-war period, KAB continued its social work, organizing numerous sports and cultural events. It became even more well-known in the city, and in addition to these events, it launched a student service. For its activities, KAB was awarded the Order of Brotherhood and Unity in 1974, presented by Josip Broz Tito. KAB’s initiative also led to the founding of the University of Banja Luka.
