Minister Gajdoš commemorates the memory of SNP victims by walking the Zlatno-Skýcov Educational Partisan Trail

Slovak Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš today commemorated the victims of the Slovak National Uprising (SNP) by an act of commemoration and walking the Zlatno-Skýcov Educational Partisan Trail. Local residents of the villages were involved significantly in partisan resistance operations during WW2.
 
Minister of Defence Peter Gajdoš said: “The Slovak National Uprising was an important historic milestone which clearly demonstrated the will of the Slovak people to take their destiny in their own hands and stand up against Nazi barbarities. And today we are truly proud that our nation, albeit hitherto less distinctive, joined the European anti-Nazi and national liberation wave.” At the same time, he appreciated the fact that our citizens have been commemorating the SNP heroes by organising a walk along the partisan trail for the past three decades. “Thanks to deceased General Ján Husák and other enthusiasts, the [partisan-related] places have not fallen into oblivion, but they are a reminder to all those who tend to cast doubt on the uneasy struggle for our freedom,” emphasised Head of the MOD.

 
Also in attendance at the act of commemoration in Skýcov was Jaroslav Paška MP (SNS Party). In his remarks, he said that events like this one remind us of the need to protect our history.

The walk along the Zlatno-Skýcov Educational Partisan Trail has taken place since 1988, when it was first initiated by Lt Gen (Rtd) Ján Husák, ex-member of the partisan resistance in WW2, and the then mayors of Zlatno and Skýcov.
 
Local residents of the villages of Zlatno and Skýcov, located in Zlaté Moravce County, were actively involved in anti-Nazi operations by engaging the enemy or providing supplies and intelligence to partisan groups. On 16 March 1945, Nazi soldiers burned Skýcov down in revenge for the villagersʼ support to the anti-Nazi resistance and deported 13 villagers to concentration camps. Today, the Memorials to the Victims of the Slovak National Uprising and WW2 in both villages stand as a testament to their sacrifice.