77th anniversary of liberation of first Slovak village in WW2 marked by MOD with celebrations and helicopter flypast
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- Date: 18.09.2021
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Kalinov, the first village in Slovakia to be liberated from Nazi influence in September 1944, hosted a commemoration ceremony to mark the 77th anniversary of the village's liberation at the Liberators Memorial today. On behalf of the SVK MOD, Director General of the MOD's Legislation and Law Department Daniel Bednár participated in the commemorative event.
Speaking at the ceremony, Director General Daniel Bednár said: “Of all towns and villages, what happened here at Kalinov in the second half of September 1944 heralded the coming end of WW2, which is considered to be the most difficult and extensive conflict Europe has ever experienced to date. Memorials in towns and villages across the whole of Europe, and this is equally true for Slovakia, bear testimony to the war's atrocities, loss of humanity, and all the lives lost.”
Mr Bednár reminded that freedom and peace cannot be taken for granted today. “That is why I appreciate all those who have come to pay their respects and homage to the fallen liberating soldiers and local residents,” he said.
Today's celebrations in Kalinov included a wreath-laying ceremony, a flypast of SVK Air Force UH-60M Black Hawk and Mi-17 helicopters, a concert by the SVK Armed Forces Band Banská Bystrica. Being on loan from the Institute of Military History, military vehicles on display in and around Kalinov are a permanent reminder of the 1944 events.
Speaking at the ceremony, Director General Daniel Bednár said: “Of all towns and villages, what happened here at Kalinov in the second half of September 1944 heralded the coming end of WW2, which is considered to be the most difficult and extensive conflict Europe has ever experienced to date. Memorials in towns and villages across the whole of Europe, and this is equally true for Slovakia, bear testimony to the war's atrocities, loss of humanity, and all the lives lost.”
Mr Bednár reminded that freedom and peace cannot be taken for granted today. “That is why I appreciate all those who have come to pay their respects and homage to the fallen liberating soldiers and local residents,” he said.
Today's celebrations in Kalinov included a wreath-laying ceremony, a flypast of SVK Air Force UH-60M Black Hawk and Mi-17 helicopters, a concert by the SVK Armed Forces Band Banská Bystrica. Being on loan from the Institute of Military History, military vehicles on display in and around Kalinov are a permanent reminder of the 1944 events.
