By: Sara Kovač (Nova24tv.si)
In the European Union member states, we are commemorating the European Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Totalitarian Regimes today. In Slovenia, homage will be paid to the victims through various memorial events, including a mass at Ljubljana Cathedral. Additionally, a round table discussion on the path to reconciliation will be organised, with former President of the Republic Borut Pahor in attendance. However, the current President of the country will not continue the tradition of her predecessor regarding the observance of the European Day of Remembrance, as reported by Radio Ognjišče.
On the Day of Remembrance, Vice-President of the European Commission for Values and Transparency, Věra Jourová, and European Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, emphasised in a statement that on this day, “we affirm to the countless victims of totalitarian and authoritarian regimes that they are not forgotten, and we renew our commitment to do everything in our power to prevent such tragedies from happening again.”
Today marks 84 years since the signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact between Nazi Germany and the Communist Soviet Union. August 23rd has been designated as the European Day of Remembrance for the Victims of All Totalitarian and Authoritarian Regimes by a resolution of the European Parliament in 2009. Since 2012, it has also been officially commemorated in Slovenia. In Slovenia, the central event for this day is organised by the Study Centre for National Reconciliation, and this year is no exception. However, the event will take place without the presence of the highest representatives of the state. President of the Republic, Nataša Pirc Musar, will not be in attendance due to her overseas vacation and a pre-scheduled agenda for the year, as communicated to the organiser.
Dr Tomaž Ivešić, the director of the Study Centre for National Reconciliation, which organises the central event for this day, stated for Radio Ognjišče that they invited President Pirc Musar to the event and received a response after some time, indicating that she is on vacation abroad and that her schedule is quite busy, even though it is clear that Slovenia has been officially commemorating this day since 2012.
Across Slovenia, several commemorative events will take place today. Ljubljana’s Archbishop Metropolitan Stanislav Zore will celebrate a mass for the victims of totalitarian and authoritarian regimes at Ljubljana Cathedral, followed by an academy and a ceremonial address by lawyer Matej Avbelj. The Institute of Dr Janez Evangelist Krek will hold a roundtable discussion at the Kazina Palace in Ljubljana, focusing on what Slovenia has done so far and the challenges that lie ahead on the path to reconciliation. Historians Mitja Ferenc and Aleš Maver will also participate in the event alongside former President Pahor.
Data about the number of victims caused by the three totalitarian regimes – fascism, Nazism, and communism – around the world varies, but there were certainly tens of millions of victims, with tens of thousands also in Slovenia. However, the current government does not seem willing to acknowledge these victims; it even abolished the day of remembrance for the victims of communist violence.