Thousands gather in Memorial March on Vukovar Remembrance Day
The Memorial March was led by Croatian defenders and the family members of the fallen, missing and deceased defenders.
Thousands of people walked in silence and respect in the Memorial March through the streets of Vukovar on 18 November 2019 to mark the 28th anniversary of the battle for Vukovar and to honour to the defenders and victims of the heroic defence of Vukovar.
Having attended a brief memorial programme in the courtyard of the Hospital in Vukovar, which in 1991 was the War Hospital of Vukovar and a vital point of the defence of the town, the participants walked the 6-km long Way of the Cross, led by the Croatian defenders of Vukovar and the family members of the fallen, missing, killed and abducted and deceased defenders of Vukovar and by the representatives of associations from the Homeland War.
Roses and candles laid for fallen Croatian defenders and civilians
On the arrival to the Memorial Cemetery of the Victims of Homeland War the March participants laid flowers on the tombs to pay respects to the fallen and killed defenders and civilians.
The President of the Republic and Supreme Commander of the Croatian Armed Forces Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Gordan Jandroković, the Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Croatia Andrej Plenković, the Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces Lieutenant General Drago Matanović laid wreaths at the Memorial monument at the Memorial Cemetery of the Victims of Homeland War, as well as representatives of the Croatian Armed Forces, delegations of the Croatian defenders of Vukovar, of the Vukovar- Srijem County and Vukovar. The prayer for the victims of the Homeland War from Vukovar was recited by Mons. Đuro Hranić the Archbishop of Đakovo and the mass for the victims of the Homeland War was recited by Mons. Ratko Perić, Bishop of Mostar – Duvno.
Lamps and candles released to float on Dunav
The ceremony concluded with the “Glowing river of remembrance”, the releasing of lamps, candles and lanterns to float on the river Dunav, in remembrance of the fallen and missing defenders of Vukovar.
The Remembrance March was traditionally the central event of the the Vukovar Remembrance Day, marked in Vukovar from 8 – 20 November 2019 featuring congresses, exhibitions, book and film launches and various remembrance programmes aimed at providing a scientific and artistic perspective of the historical events and to guard the memory of the battle, the courage and the victim of Vukovar.
The Croatian Parliament passed the Decision in 1999 proclaiming 18 November the Vukovar Remembrance Day, to honour the defenders of Vukovar – the town symbolising the freedom of Croatia.
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