Ministry of Defence invites members of public to commemorate 80th Anniversary of Battle of Dukla Pass
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- Date: 30.09.2024
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The Ministry of Defence along with members of the public and distinguished guests will be commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Dukla Pass – one of the Second World War's fiercest mountain warfare operations – at the Czechoslovak Army Corps Memorial at Dukla and in the town of Svidník this Sunday 6 October 2024. The anniversary celebrations will feature national commemoration events, static displays and dynamic demonstrations of Army and Military Police units, and a cultural programme. In attendance will be President and Commander-in-Chief of the Slovak Armed Forces Peter Pellegrini, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Robert Kaliňák, and other government officials.
Sharing his thoughts on preparations for the commemorations, Mr Robert Kaliňák said: “As with preparations for the Slovak National Uprising (SNP) 80th Anniversary National Event celebrations, just a month later, it is with the same tandem of organisers and with full seriousness and responsibility that we are dealing with the Battle of the Dukla Pass 80th Anniversary celebrations, which the Sub-Dukla region will be hosting. The battles to liberate Slovakia that unfolded across the Dukla Pass were some of the toughest in mountain warfare. Dukla is a place for reflection, remembrance and respect – a place that takes us back to a period of time when our ancestors were not afraid to confront evil. I hope we have not missed out on anything important as we prepare for this great day of celebrations at Dukla and in Svidník. My thanks go to the Cabinet Office, participating ministries and departments, Svidník City Council, Prešov Self-Governing Region officials, and all others involved in this high visibility event. I hope everyone will recall our nation’s history, enjoy this special festive day to the fullest, and take home unforgettable memories of the Battle of the Dukla Pass 80th Anniversary National Commemoration Event.”
The ceremonial programme at the Dukla Czechoslovak Army Corps Memorial will begin at 13:00 with a wreath-laying ceremony and a flypast from Slovak Air Force aircraft and continue with guest speeches and performances by opera singer Miroslav Dvorský, Lúčnica Folk Ensemble, and singer Ivana Regešová. Live coverage of the national commemoration event will be provided by Slovak Television and Radio (STVR). The Czechoslovak Army Corps Memorial grounds will open to the public at 11:00.
At the same time, there will be an official programme in Svidník. The Museum of Military History Svidník will open to the public at 10:00. Visitors to the Museum will be able to watch the commemoration from Dukla on LED screens. The programme in Svidník will continue with performances from Magic Spurs Band, Kandráč Band, Šarišan Folk Ensemble, and others. There will also be a demonstration of hand-to-hand combat, a presentation of military working dogs (MWDs), a Slovak Armed Forces Guard of Honour (GOH) show, displays of Army combat vehicles and weaponry, and educational activities for the youngest ones.
A free bus shuttle service will be running between Svidník and Dukla every 15 minutes from 10:00 to 16:00. The Ministry of Defence, as the main organiser, would like to advise members of the public to arrive early for the national event, because all visitors must go through security screening before entering the Dukla Memorial grounds.
Sharing his thoughts on preparations for the commemorations, Mr Robert Kaliňák said: “As with preparations for the Slovak National Uprising (SNP) 80th Anniversary National Event celebrations, just a month later, it is with the same tandem of organisers and with full seriousness and responsibility that we are dealing with the Battle of the Dukla Pass 80th Anniversary celebrations, which the Sub-Dukla region will be hosting. The battles to liberate Slovakia that unfolded across the Dukla Pass were some of the toughest in mountain warfare. Dukla is a place for reflection, remembrance and respect – a place that takes us back to a period of time when our ancestors were not afraid to confront evil. I hope we have not missed out on anything important as we prepare for this great day of celebrations at Dukla and in Svidník. My thanks go to the Cabinet Office, participating ministries and departments, Svidník City Council, Prešov Self-Governing Region officials, and all others involved in this high visibility event. I hope everyone will recall our nation’s history, enjoy this special festive day to the fullest, and take home unforgettable memories of the Battle of the Dukla Pass 80th Anniversary National Commemoration Event.”
The ceremonial programme at the Dukla Czechoslovak Army Corps Memorial will begin at 13:00 with a wreath-laying ceremony and a flypast from Slovak Air Force aircraft and continue with guest speeches and performances by opera singer Miroslav Dvorský, Lúčnica Folk Ensemble, and singer Ivana Regešová. Live coverage of the national commemoration event will be provided by Slovak Television and Radio (STVR). The Czechoslovak Army Corps Memorial grounds will open to the public at 11:00.
At the same time, there will be an official programme in Svidník. The Museum of Military History Svidník will open to the public at 10:00. Visitors to the Museum will be able to watch the commemoration from Dukla on LED screens. The programme in Svidník will continue with performances from Magic Spurs Band, Kandráč Band, Šarišan Folk Ensemble, and others. There will also be a demonstration of hand-to-hand combat, a presentation of military working dogs (MWDs), a Slovak Armed Forces Guard of Honour (GOH) show, displays of Army combat vehicles and weaponry, and educational activities for the youngest ones.
A free bus shuttle service will be running between Svidník and Dukla every 15 minutes from 10:00 to 16:00. The Ministry of Defence, as the main organiser, would like to advise members of the public to arrive early for the national event, because all visitors must go through security screening before entering the Dukla Memorial grounds.
