Institute of Military History releases a short video film on the life of General Milan Rastislav Štefánik

To mark the approaching 100th anniversary of General M. R. Štefánik’s death and the 140th anniversary of his birthday next year, the Institute of Military History has staged a media presentation of a short video film which maps out the life and work of General Štefánik in a captivating and contemporary way at a press conference held at the Museum of Military History in Piešťany today (29 April 2019).

On great personalities involved in the formation of the Slovak Nation, Defence Minister Peter Gajdoš said: “Today there are a lot of young people who do not know the personalities who have shaped Slovak history. Therefore, I appreciate the initiative of our Institute of Military History, because it wants to bring the life of such a high profile personality as General Milan Rastislav Štefánik closer to the public.” He added that, through this initiative, the MOD is delivering on the commitment to promote the public awareness of Slovak military history, as outlined in the SVK Government Manifesto and the SNS Party Manifesto.

Director of the Institute of Military History Col Miloslav Čaplovič said: “The short video film on General Štefánik innovatively depicts the life and work of a great son of the Slovak Nation, a scientist, an astronomer, a soldier, a pilot, a diplomat, a politician, a chief organiser of the Czechoslovak Legion in France, Russia and Italy, and a co-creator of Czecho-Slovak statehood.” He noted that the video film will be shown using different presentation media at exhibition displays of the Institute of Military History in Piešťany and Svidník, at Dukla, and at events organised by the SVK MOD and Armed Forces. “At the same time, it will be released on the YouTube channel of the Institute of Military History on 4 May 2019,” he added.

Entitled ‘General Milan Rastislav Štefánik – Liberator’, the 7-minute-long film is an innovative and unique way of presenting the key milestones of General Štefánik’s life – his scientific life, activities as a military pilot in WW1 battlefields, efforts to organise the Czechoslovak resistance movement abroad well until the establishment of the common state of Czechs and Slovaks, as well as his tragic death on return to homeland. The film is available in the Slovak language with English and French subtitles.