Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day: MOD commemorates 17 November 1989 and honours the victims of the communist regime
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- Date: 17.11.2022
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Today marks 33 years since a major historic shift towards democracy in our country occurred – the Gentle Revolution. The breakthrough events of 17 November 1989 are observed annually as Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day.
The victims of communism were honoured today by State Secretary of the Slovak Ministry of Defence Marian Majer during a commemorative ceremony at the Freedom Gate Memorial at Devín Castle in Bratislava.
The Freedom Gate Memorial was created to serve as a continuing reminder of the hundreds of men and women killed while attempting to cross the CSSR's border in order to escape from communist Czechoslovakia and all those who suffered persecution and purges at the hands of the communist regime in the years 1945-1989.
Reminding that freedom, peace and security are no longer a matter of course nowadays, State Secretary Marian Majer said: “Today marks one of Slovakiaʼs most significant milestones of contemporary history. The events of 17 November 1989 eventually started the Gentle Revolution that stood behind the downfall of the socialist regime. Also today – only a few hundred kilometres from our eastern border, ordinary Ukrainian citizens are experiencing the hardships and horrors of a senseless war provoked by Russia.”
In recognition of the 1989 Gentle Revolution, a commemorative ceremony also took place at the Memorial to the Executed and Tortured Political Prisoners of Communism at Vrakuňa Cemetery in Bratislava, with Director General of the MOD Human Resources Department Martin Jakál representing the Slovak MOD at the ceremony.
The victims of communism were honoured today by State Secretary of the Slovak Ministry of Defence Marian Majer during a commemorative ceremony at the Freedom Gate Memorial at Devín Castle in Bratislava.
The Freedom Gate Memorial was created to serve as a continuing reminder of the hundreds of men and women killed while attempting to cross the CSSR's border in order to escape from communist Czechoslovakia and all those who suffered persecution and purges at the hands of the communist regime in the years 1945-1989.
Reminding that freedom, peace and security are no longer a matter of course nowadays, State Secretary Marian Majer said: “Today marks one of Slovakiaʼs most significant milestones of contemporary history. The events of 17 November 1989 eventually started the Gentle Revolution that stood behind the downfall of the socialist regime. Also today – only a few hundred kilometres from our eastern border, ordinary Ukrainian citizens are experiencing the hardships and horrors of a senseless war provoked by Russia.”
In recognition of the 1989 Gentle Revolution, a commemorative ceremony also took place at the Memorial to the Executed and Tortured Political Prisoners of Communism at Vrakuňa Cemetery in Bratislava, with Director General of the MOD Human Resources Department Martin Jakál representing the Slovak MOD at the ceremony.
