Simkovicova Pays Tribute to Legacy of Stur Generation at Devin Castle

Bratislava, 24 April (TASR) - Culture Minister Martina Simkovicova (a Slovak National Party/SNS nominee) attended a commemorative event on Friday marking the 190th anniversary of the historic ascent of the Stur youth to Devin Castle in Bratislava, together with Environment Minister Tomas Taraba (an SNS nominee), TASR was told by ministry's communications department director Petra Demkova. The event commemorated a significant historical event dating back to 1836, when Stur's followers, led by Ludovit Stur, symbolically ascended Devin as an expression of national consciousness and cultural emancipation. This act ranks among the key moments of the Slovak national revival. The programme began with a gathering of participants below Devin Castle, followed by an ascent to the Stur group's memorial plaque. The programme also included the ceremonial raising of the Slovak flag on the castle tower, accompanied by the national anthem. In her speech, Simkovicova emphasised the historical and contemporary significance of this place and the legacy of the Stur generation: "Devin - a symbol of Slavic solidarity, the Great Moravian tradition, and Slovak historical consciousness - is once again bearing witness to the commemoration of an event that, 190 years ago, significantly influenced the direction of our culture and identity," stated the culture minister. Lauded as one of the most important figures in the Slovak history, Stur was a 19th-century revolutionary, writer, politician, and a leader of the Slovak national revival. am