On Monday 8 May, people across Slovakia commemorated the anniversary of the end of the Second World War, also known as Victory in Europe Day. Representatives of Slovakia paid tribute to the victims of the war at various memorials. President Zuzana Caputova stated on Monday that real peace cannot be attained without freedom and democracy, and that is why we must always strive for them. "The historical experience of the Second World War, as well as of all other military conflicts, confirms that the source of conflicts is not nations or states, but regimes trampling on human freedoms and rights, capable of provoking hatred. Be they fascist, communist or various authoritarian regimes of the 21st century," stressed Caputova.
According to the interim Prime Minister Eduard Heger even today, in a time of crises, people must come together so that all the scars of history are not in vain, as only in this way will they not repeat mistakes of the past and can build a free world where there's mutual respect. "Every era has its heroes who stand up for right values. Hitler's hatred didn't unite only his followers. It also united the good side," noted Heger. The premier at the same time remarked that just as before the Second World War, lies and misinformation are gaining momentum. Just as then, Heger said, they are so powerful that they provoke social hatred. "That is why, just as then, we need to find the courage and humanity within ourselves not to fall for the false visions that are being fed to us," he stressed.
Parliamentary Chair Boris Kollar commemorated Victory in Europe Day on Monday at the Slavin Memorial in Bratislava, which serves as a burial site for 6,845 Red Army soldiers who died during the liberation of the Slovak capital during the Second World War, he reported on his Facebook account. "Our ancestors and their peers from different countries of the world fought for peace, which, as we have found out even today, is not guaranteed. Let's not forget to commemorate days such as this one, as they are part of our history and formed our present. Let's learn from them to create a better future for future generations," noted Kollar.
Source: TASR
