Liberation80: Zilina Commemorates 80th Anniversary of Its Liberation

Zilina, April 30 (TASR) - A wreath-laying ceremony took place at the Statue of Liberation in the SNP Park in Zilina on Wednesday morning to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the city. The ceremony was held in the presence of Zilina mayor Peter Fiabane and Zilina region governor Erika Jurinova. Czech Ambassador to Slovakia Rudolf Jindrak came to pay honour to the victims of the liberation struggles as well. Zilina mayor in his speech noted that the monument is dedicated to the 1st Czechoslovak Army Corps. "By laying wreaths, we honour the memory of those who sacrificed the most precious thing for our freedom - their lives. Thanks to their bravery, sacrifice and courage, the period of several years of suffering, pain and hardship ended and the period of peace and freedom started for the people of Zilina," said Fiabane. According to Jurinova, the foundations of our peaceful life are based on the courage, sacrifice, and unwavering faith of the liberation struggle participants. "Even today, we find in their stories a strong message that freedom and democracy require courage, loyalty to the truth, and the ability to stand up to evil, whatever its form," she said. The celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Zilina will continue in the afternoon at Andrej Hlinka Square, where the city hall, in cooperation with the Zilina Tank Club, has prepared an exhibition of military equipment models. ko/mcs