MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Sunday, 30 August 2026 - 9 a.m.

TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Saturday, 29 August): BANSKA BYSTRICA - President Peter Pellegrini, speaking at the celebrations held in Banska Bystrica to mark the 82nd anniversary of the Slovak National Uprising (SNP) on Saturday, appealed to society not to remain passive and resigned in the battle against indecency, and he also stressed the importance of upholding natural values such as humanity, decency and tolerance. Addressing war veterans, he said that when looking at the heroes of the SNP, there are two words that resonate in his mind: gratitude and pride. "Gratitude for your sacrifice, our heroes and heroines; and pride, because you wrote the chapters of national resilience and faith at a pivotal time in the fight against fascism. And you contributed significantly to ensuring that we, as a nation, didn't fail during those turbulent times," he said. BANSKA BYSTRICA - A nation without a memory loses its identity, while a nation that doesn't know where it came from will hardly know where it's heading, said Parliamentary Speaker Richard Rasi (Voice-SD) in his speech at the celebrations marking the 82nd anniversary of the Slovak National Uprising (SNP) in Banska Bystrica on Saturday, adding that if young people are handed a version of the past adjusted to suit current political needs, they will be stripped of the opportunity to learn from it. "A nation that doesn't respect its history can hardly hope to build a bright future," said Rasi, voicing his concerns about attempts to adapt history based on what happens to suit someone at a particular time. "We can discuss history, we can study it, and we can have different views or interpretations, but we can't change historical facts, and we can't retrospectively erase who fought here, who fought for us, who gave their lives and who liberated us," he said. BANSKA BYSTRICA - The Slovak National Uprising (SNP) is the most significant event in Slovakia's modern history, but the battle over its interpretation still goes on, Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) stressed in his address marking the the 82nd anniversary of the SNP, noting that while Nazism was defeated on the battlefields of World War II, it was never erased from people's minds. "We're seeing it again, only in a different guise, just wearing a different outfit. I think it's time to lay our cards on the table, stop mincing our words, stop speaking in riddles, and call things exactly as they are," stressed Fico, who also spoke about efforts to demolish a concentration camp in Austria and the construction of the national pantheon of heroes in Kiev. "If a nation's memory is being built, this can hardly be done by creating a pantheon of people whose biographies make it difficult to draw a line between them and fascist ideology," he stated. BANSKA BYSTRICA - More than 15,000 people have so far attended the celebrations marking the 82nd anniversary of the Slovak National Uprising (SNP) held in Banska Bystrica on Saturday, said Defence Minister Robert Kalinak (Smer-SD) in connection with the official programme, which included a commemorative ceremony, a wreath-laying ceremony and speeches delivered by the country's top constitutional officials before noon. "I think we've put together a sufficiently engaging cultural programme for the public, with activities running throughout the day, including an exhibition of our equipment and a variety of other events. It's the best way to help young people connect with the legacy of the Slovak National Uprising," stressed Kalinak. The programme includes static and dynamic displays of military and police equipment, close-combat demonstrations and displays by military dog-handlers, as well as presentations showcasing the work of sappers, logistics and medical units. BANSKA BYSTRICA - Taking a military oath is not merely a ceremonial act, but above all the acceptance of responsibility towards the country and its citizens, stressed President Peter Pellegrini during a military swearing-in ceremony of approximately 500 candidates joining the Slovak Armed Forces. The ceremony was seen as a major highlight of the celebrations held in Banska Bystrica to mark the 82nd anniversary of the Slovak National Uprising (SNP), with the symbolic connection to the SNP anniversary serving as a reminder of the legacy of the generation that fought for Slovakia's freedom and future 82 years ago. "You have expressed your readiness to defend the freedom and sovereignty of our republic, as well as your willingness to take military action in its name to protect peace and humanity. I appreciate your decision all the more because you've done this at a challenging time when professional service in the Slovak Armed Forces places greater demands on men and women in military uniforms than in the relatively peaceful times of the past," said Pellegrini. BRATISLAVA - The junior coalition Slovak National Party (SNS) and Environment Minister Tomas Taraba (an SNS nominee) must settle their political differences by the end of September, and if they fail to do so, Taraba will make a political gesture, as already agreed, said Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) on STVR's politics programme 'Sobotne dialogy' (Saturday Dialogues), describing Taraba as a good minister. "According to the coalition agreement, this post belongs to SNS. As the chairman of another coalition party and prime minister, I'm obliged to respect coalition agreements," said Fico, who added that he would speak to both Taraba and SNS about the situation, while calling on both sides to keep Taraba in his post. Fico went on to say that there'll be no swapping of ministries, reiterating that the coalition agreement clearly specifies which party owns which portfolio. Regarding the foiled arson attack on a drone manufacturing plant in eastern Slovakia, Fico said that he's ready to convene the Slovak Security Council, if necessary. According to him, Slovak Intelligence Service (SIS) director Pavol Gaspar has repeatedly informed him about the steps taken in the case. jrg