SNP 80th Anniversary National Event celebrations commemorated our forebears' courage to stand up against oppression and defend peace and democracy
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- Date: 30.08.2024
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Tens of thousands of people gathered in Banská Bystrica to commemorate one of the most significant events of our contemporary history – the Slovak National Uprising (SNP) in World War II. They came to pause and pay homage to the SNP heroes who sacrificed what was most precious to them – their lives – whilst fighting for freedom. Over 55,000 people visited the SNP Memorial Park area and the SNP Museum grounds during Slovakia's national commemorative event for SNP 80. Some 1,100 police officers and 150 close protection officers and other members of the Office for Protection of Constitutional Officials and Diplomatic Missions provided policing and security arrangements for the SNP celebrations.
The central celebrations commenced with a wreath-laying ceremony at the SNP Memorial. The ceremonial programme continued with keynote speeches from distinguished guests and a host of musical and cultural performances on the main stage. To mark the occasion, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Slovak Armed Forces Peter Pellegrini and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Robert Kaliňák then presented the SNP 80th Anniversary Commemorative Medal to a number of SNP veterans and the SNP Museum.
In a statement, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Robert Kaliňák said: “We promised to assure more dignified celebrations for SNP 80. We wanted to keep the celebrations open to everyone, yet still putting special security measures in place due to the events of 15 May 2024. Despite this, the celebrations lacked neither contact nor interaction with the crowds, thanks to which everyone had the opportunity to fully celebrate this great holiday of the Slovak Republic.”
The keynote speakers included the President of the Slovak Republic, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Defence, and the Parliamentary Chair. Addressing the audience, Prime Minister Robert Fico said: “I wish the heroes of 1944 would remain in our minds and hearts forever.” The Prime Minister's Office had joined forces with the Ministry of Defence and other co-organisers to make preparations for the nation-wide celebrations of SNP 80. For the first time ever, the SNP National Event incorporated a Pass Off Parade, with 531 Junior Soldiers taking the Oath of Allegiance and pledging their loyalty to the country, in the presence of 3,600 family members.
Around 3,000 Slovak and Allied military personnel and over 260 tracked and wheeled vehicles were involved in the spectacular Armed Forces Parade, including T-72 main battle tanks, BVP-1 and BVP-2 infantry fighting vehicles, and Zuzana 2 and 2000 self-propelled howitzers. The Slovak Air Force was joined by the air forces of Czechia, Hungary, Poland and the United States of America for a ceremonial flypast, crowned with a formation of two Slovak Air Force F-16s. The grand finale of the event was a gala evening and the celebrations officially concluded with a fireworks display.
SNP 80 in numbers:
Over 55,000 people attended the SNP 80 events in Banská Bystrica. The city's ambulance service responded to 54 incidents, whilst half of those concerned received treatment for heat collapse. 40,000 litres of drinking water and 30,000 bottles of mineral water were handed out to the visitors for free. 25 refreshment stands were set up in the area. Over 210,000 SNP promotion materials and gifts were presented to the visitors. 350 artists and performers took to the main stage to entertain the crowds. 26 side events took place to enhance the overall experience of the visitors. Over 7,000 families with children were welcomed to the Children's Zone. 202 media representatives from six countries covered the SNP 80 events. Some 3,000 SVK and Allied personnel and over 260 tracked and wheeled vehicles took part in the spectacular military parade.
The central celebrations commenced with a wreath-laying ceremony at the SNP Memorial. The ceremonial programme continued with keynote speeches from distinguished guests and a host of musical and cultural performances on the main stage. To mark the occasion, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Slovak Armed Forces Peter Pellegrini and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Robert Kaliňák then presented the SNP 80th Anniversary Commemorative Medal to a number of SNP veterans and the SNP Museum.
In a statement, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Robert Kaliňák said: “We promised to assure more dignified celebrations for SNP 80. We wanted to keep the celebrations open to everyone, yet still putting special security measures in place due to the events of 15 May 2024. Despite this, the celebrations lacked neither contact nor interaction with the crowds, thanks to which everyone had the opportunity to fully celebrate this great holiday of the Slovak Republic.”
The keynote speakers included the President of the Slovak Republic, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Defence, and the Parliamentary Chair. Addressing the audience, Prime Minister Robert Fico said: “I wish the heroes of 1944 would remain in our minds and hearts forever.” The Prime Minister's Office had joined forces with the Ministry of Defence and other co-organisers to make preparations for the nation-wide celebrations of SNP 80. For the first time ever, the SNP National Event incorporated a Pass Off Parade, with 531 Junior Soldiers taking the Oath of Allegiance and pledging their loyalty to the country, in the presence of 3,600 family members.
Around 3,000 Slovak and Allied military personnel and over 260 tracked and wheeled vehicles were involved in the spectacular Armed Forces Parade, including T-72 main battle tanks, BVP-1 and BVP-2 infantry fighting vehicles, and Zuzana 2 and 2000 self-propelled howitzers. The Slovak Air Force was joined by the air forces of Czechia, Hungary, Poland and the United States of America for a ceremonial flypast, crowned with a formation of two Slovak Air Force F-16s. The grand finale of the event was a gala evening and the celebrations officially concluded with a fireworks display.
SNP 80 in numbers:
Over 55,000 people attended the SNP 80 events in Banská Bystrica. The city's ambulance service responded to 54 incidents, whilst half of those concerned received treatment for heat collapse. 40,000 litres of drinking water and 30,000 bottles of mineral water were handed out to the visitors for free. 25 refreshment stands were set up in the area. Over 210,000 SNP promotion materials and gifts were presented to the visitors. 350 artists and performers took to the main stage to entertain the crowds. 26 side events took place to enhance the overall experience of the visitors. Over 7,000 families with children were welcomed to the Children's Zone. 202 media representatives from six countries covered the SNP 80 events. Some 3,000 SVK and Allied personnel and over 260 tracked and wheeled vehicles took part in the spectacular military parade.
