The Slovak Ministry of Defence wishes to invite members of the public to the heart of the Liptov region, where the Armed Forces will lead the nation in celebrating the 81st anniversary of Victory in Europe Day on Sunday 10 May 2026. Following last year’s nationwide celebrations of the “round” anniversary of VE Day 80, the Ministry of Defence, in cooperation with the SVK Government Office and other partners, is making preparations for the VE Day 81 National Commemoration Event to be hosted on the campus of the General M. R. Štefánik Armed Forces Academy Liptovský Mikuláš (AOS LM), offering visitors an enriching socio-cultural programme with side events.


All-day programme for families and enthusiasts

The Armed Forces Academy’s grounds will be open to the public from 09:00. Our varied programme for families with children features adventure attractions, educational stands with edutainment, hands-on activities at the interactive stands of the government ministries and organisations, as well as a food zone with delicacies and refreshments.

The MOD and its organisations will have a strong representation at the event, including with autograph signings by sportsmen and sportswomen of the Dukla Military Sports Centre, fun forestry games by Military Forests and Estates, and promotional activities for the study programmes offered by the Armed Forces Academy. There will also be Armed Forces recruiters to create an interest in and provide information on military careers.

Wreath-laying ceremony at Háj-Nicovô and main programme at AOS LM

The Official Wreath-Laying Ceremony will commence at the Háj-Nicovô WW2 Memorial and Cemetery in Liptovský Mikuláš at 11:00 and will be broadcast live on Slovakia’s national television, STVR, and on large LED screens in the public viewing area of the Armed Forces Academy. The Háj-Nicovô WW2 Memorial and Cemetery will be open to the public for reflection and remembrance from 12:30. The televised programme will continue with keynote speakers and cultural performances on the stage at the Armed Forces Academy, starting from 13:00. Then at 14:30, nearly 270 junior soldiers will take the Oath of Allegiance – as a mark of their loyalty to the country and their willingness to faithfully serve as members of the Armed Forces – in front of their families, friends and members of the public.

Slovak Armed Forces Capability Demonstrations

Both static displays of military vehicles and live demonstrations of capabilities will be presented by the Slovak Armed Forces. Among the highlights will be self-propelled howitzers, main battle tanks, wheeled and tracked IFVs, and UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters. In addition, visitors will witness jumps from the Army parachute display team, flypasts from Slovak Air Force aircraft, and tactical demonstrations by Special Operations Forces (SOF) operators. WW2 battle reenactors, dressed in period uniforms, will give visitors a sense of stepping back in time. The main programme will culminate with music concerts by Martin Harich and Tina.

Shuttle bus services to and from AOS LM

For visitors arriving by car, a central parking area for AOS LM will be available on Road II/584 between the villages of Pavčina Lehota and Demänová.

There will be shuttle buses running:

• from Liptovský Mikuláš Bus Station to AOS LM and back,

• from the central parking area at the village of Pavčina Lehota to AOS LM and back.

Shuttle buses will be running at 15-minute intervals, from 08:45 to 18:00. The organisers recommend using the shuttle bus services, as car parking spaces around the Armed Forces Academy are limited.

Security measures for visitors

The organisers encourage visitors to arrive well in advance. All visitors must go through security check at the entrance, including searches of their bags, before entering the public viewing area. The Ministry of Defence reserves the right to deny entry to individuals carrying any items that may threaten the security of the event or disrupt the course of the event. The visitors who will refuse to comply with the security procedures will not be allowed into the public viewing area. It is also recommended to bring only essential items in order to speed up the security check. Let’s work together to ensure that everyone can enjoy themselves in a safe and dignified atmosphere as we celebrate this historical milestone.