Migal and Salitros Announce Call for Statue of Generals Golian and Viest

Bratislava, 29 August (TASR) - Investment, Regional Development and Informatisation Minister Samuel Migal and his State Secretary Radomir Salitros (both Independent) have decided to initiate the creation of a monument dedicated to the commanders of the Slovak National Uprising (SNP), General Rudolf Viest and General Jan Golian, announcing this on the day when Slovakia commemorates the 81st anniversary of the SNP, TASR has learnt from the Investment Ministry's communications department. "The SNP is one of the greatest expressions of courage of our nation. Generals Golian and Viest stood at the head of the rebel army and gave their lives for the freedom of Slovakia. They deserve our respect and gratitude," said Migal. The minister and the state secretary jointly announced an open call for artists, architects and sculptors to design a sculpture of Generals Golian and Viest. The winning designer will be awarded €5,000, which Migal and Salitros will provide from their own pockets. "The competition will seek an artistic presentation of a sculpture of this pair of giants, which should be placed in the region in which the two heroically fought against the totalitarian regime," specified the communications department. Jan Golian was the general who issued the order to launch the SNP on August 29, 1944. Rudolf Viest was an army general who, after arriving from London, took over the leadership of the rebel army. Both were captured by the Nazis and died in concentration camps. "Despite their merits in the freedom of Slovakia, there is no dignified joint statue that would pay tribute to them," explained the communications department. ko/df