Robert Kaliňák warmly invites you to VE Day 80 Event at Piešťany Airport

At an away-day meeting in Malá Lehota, the Slovak Government has approved the organisational arrangements for a VE Day 80 Commemoration Event to be held at Piešťany Airport on 8 May 2025 as part of the nationwide celebrations of the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day in Slovakia.

Inviting people across the country to come together to celebrate 80 years since the end of WW2 in Europe, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Robert Kaliňák said: “I invite everyone to the VE Day 80 Commemoration Event in Piešťany and to a rich and dynamic programme by all Services and branches of our Armed Forces, with the participation of other ministries. Once again, I invite the whole of Slovakia to join in on the celebrations in Piešťany.”

The Institute of Military History (VHÚ) has prepared a 'VE Day Tent' for visitors, where you can see period photographs and watch WW2 documentaries and interviews with WW2 veterans and subject matter specialists in military history and ethnology.

The all-day programme will be supported by the SVK Armed Forces Recruitment Teams with their stands on military trades and careers and even some form of entertainment. At their 'Information Point', they will provide advice on how to become an active duty soldier, while visitors to their 'Interactive Stand' can have a go on the trapeze or have fun with quizzes and memory games.

Starting from 08:30, the Field Chapel at Piešťany Airport will host activities of the Ecumenical Pastoral Service (EPS). At the EPS tent, chaplains will be on hand for conversation, prayer and confession.
 

Timings
 

08:00            Piešťany Airport opens to the public – admission is free of charge

From 10:00  All-day programme for families with children, 'VE Day' and other presentation
                      and education tents, experiential attractions, gifts, and food refreshment stands

10:00            Official Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the Memorial to the Fallen Romanian Soldiers
                      (LED screens providing live coverage of the event will be available across the airport grounds)

11:00            Official Opening Ceremony
                      Speeches by keynote speakers
                      Flypasts from the Slovak Air Force's F-16 Fighting Falcon combat aircraft and UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters
                      Army Parachute Display Team
                      Lúčnica Folk Ensemble
                      Slovak Armed Forces Band Banská Bystrica
                      Opera Singer Jolana Fogašová

12:00            Slovak Armed Forces Capabilities Demonstration

13:00            Oath of Allegiance Ceremony

14:00            A WW2 battle reenactment by historical reenactment clubs, a flying display of WW2 warplanes by the Retro Sky Team

From 14:30  Live music and dance performances from KALI and Peter Pann, Peter Cmorík, Gypsy Devils, and Martin Gyimesi (Karol Duchoň)