Bratislava: Petrzalka Against Gov't Plan to Scrap Fall of Communism As Holiday

Bratislava, 24 June (TASR) - The local council of Bratislava’s Petrzalka borough also joined the criticism of the government's intention to cancel the public holiday of November 17 – the 'Day of the Struggle for Freedom and Democracy' - as the council considers such a solution neither appropriate nor effective and called for abandonment of the plan. In its declarative statement approved on Tuesday, the council emphasized the importance of this holiday for democracy and collective historical memory. „November seventeenth forms the backbone of Slovakia’s historical memory and a symbol of the removal of the totalitarian regime. In Bratislava in 1989, key civic gatherings took place that led to the restoration of democracy," the local council noted, adding that the mandate of councilors as well as their freedom of speech and the self-governing powers of the city borough stem directly from the values represented by this holiday. The local council acknowledges that the country is under pressure to consolidate its public finances; however, it considers the cancellation of the November 17 public holiday to be an inappropriate and ineffective measure. The council believes that there are alternatives that do not erode the national memory, national identity, or statehood symbols, and sees the proposed measure as a step backward in terms of respect for historical events. The council therefore calls for abandonment of the plan and instead to seek a more constructive and sensitive approach to the consolidation. mf/mcs