Minister J. Naď: Our freedom was dearly paid for with the lives of Slovak National Uprising heroes

To mark the upcoming 76th anniversary of the Slovak National Uprising (SNP), Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď today attended commemorations in tribute to the fallen anti-Nazi resistance heroes at the SNP Memorials on top of Jankov vŕšok [John's Hill] near Uhrovec and in the village of Kunerad.

Speaking on the occasion, Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said: “Our freedom was dearly paid for with the suffering and lives of those who stood behind the armed uprising of our domestic resistance movement during the 2nd World War. For their courage to stand up for the rights and freedom of our country and nation even under the threat of death, the participants of the Slovak National Uprising are true heroes for me.” He further pointed out that these principles are not a matter of course in today's world either. “On the contrary, it is being proved that living in democracy and freedom is a very precious privilege,” he added.

7 partisans rest in peace on top of Jankov vŕšok. Having been wounded, they were rounded up and burned to death in a bunker by the Nazis on 13 February 1945. Kunerad Chateaux was home to HQ “Milan Rastislav Štefánik” 2nd Slovak Partisan Brigade. It was torched by Nazi troops on 25 September 1944.