"Subotica will continue to be a reliable partner to the Croatian national community in preserving this valuable tradition, because we know that a people that preserves its customs, culture and spiritual values also preserves its future," Ušumović said.
A Mass was celebrated in the Cathedral by Banja Luka Bishop Željko Majić.
"Because of historical circumstances, we in Bosnia and Herzegovina do not have such a tradition of celebrating the end of the harvest, but what we have in common with the Bunjevci Croats in Bačka is faith. Here, faith reaches deeper and is expressed through Dužijanca, as a genuine expression of gratitude to God for the gifts of life, family and harvest," the bishop said.
After the Mass, about 500 members of numerous cultural and artistic societies from Serbia, Croatia, Hungary and Bosnia and Herzegovina, dressed in the traditional costumes of their respective regions, marched through central Subotica.
After the bread was presented to the city representative, Croatian National Council president Jasna Vojnić addressed spectators and participants of Dužijanca gathered in Subotica's main square.
Speaking to Croatian media, she said "the political situation is not great" this year either.
"At this year's Dužijanca, too, the City of Subotica did not have a representative of the majority population in Serbia present on its behalf. But this does not discourage us. We will continue to be proud of who we are, and I am sure that the day will come when we will be recognised as partners, as people who contribute to the life of this country," she said.
She expressed regret that the city had not moved display panels for an exhibition entitled "Culture of Remembrance: Photographs of the Criminal Operation Storm" from the route taken by the Dužijanca procession.
"Because here we expressed messages of respect and love for the country in which we live, as well as for the people from whom we originate," she said.
Representing the Croatian prime minister and the speaker of parliament at the closing ceremony of Dužijanca was MP Vesna Bedeković, who said her attendance was a sign of the continuing care and support of Croatia for Croats in Serbia.
"I always feel the same enthusiasm for the richness of the traditions of our compatriots in Vojvodina," she said.
The main celebration brought together numerous members of the Croatian community from Subotica and surrounding areas, as well as guests from Croatia and other places where Bačka Croats live.
Dužijanca is a traditional celebration in which Bunjevci Croats in Bačka mark the end of the harvest and give thanks to God for the fruits of the earth. It consists of a series of religious, cultural, folklore and ethnographic events held from spring until August, with the main celebration in Subotica serving as its culmination.
Dužijanca has become one of the best-known symbols of the local Croatian community because, according to the organisers, it brings together religious thanksgiving, tradition, folk culture and memories of the lives of their ancestors on the farmsteads of the Bačka plain.
The harvest celebrations are organised by the Association of Bunjevci Croats "Dužijanca".