PHOTOS: 120,000 people march remembrance procession in Vukovar
- by croatiaweek
- in News
(Photo credit: Grad Vukovar/Miroslav Štafhauzer)
A procession of remembrance, estimated to include 120,000 people, marked the 33rd anniversary of the fall of Vukovar during the Homeland War in 1991.
An estimated 120,000 people from across Croatia and around the world walked through Vukovar, from the National Memorial Hospital “Dr. Juraj Njavro” to the Memorial Cemetery of the Victims of the Homeland War.
Leading the procession were Croatian defenders of Vukovar, accompanied by the families of fallen, missing, killed, abducted, and deceased defenders, alongside members of the Croatian police who had defended the city.
(Photo credit: Grad Vukovar/Miroslav Štafhauzer)
The programme, titled “Vukovar – A Place of Special Homeland Reverence,” featured a performance in the courtyard of the National Memorial Hospital by actor Darko Milas and the Klapa “Sveti Juraj” of the Croatian Navy.
(Photo credit: Grad Vukovar/Miroslav Štafhauzer)
At the Memorial Cemetery, tributes were paid through the laying of wreaths.
Among those who participated were the last commander of Vukovar’s defence, Branko Borković, alongside wartime commanders and the families of the fallen, missing, killed, abducted, and deceased defenders.
(Photo credit: Grad Vukovar/Miroslav Štafhauzer)
Wreaths were also laid by the President of the Republic’s envoy, Head of the Presidential Office Orsat Miljenić, accompanied by a delegation; the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament, Gordan Jandroković, with his delegation; the Prime Minister of Croatia, Andrej Plenković, with his delegation; the Deputy Prefect of Vukovar-Srijem County, Franjo Orešković, representing the county’s administration; and the Mayor of Vukovar, Ivan Penava, with his delegation.
(Photo credit: Grad Vukovar/Miroslav Štafhauzer)
Prayers were led by Monsignor Đuro Hranić, Archbishop and Metropolitan of Đakovo-Osijek, while a Holy Mass for all victims of the Homeland War was celebrated by Monsignor Dražen Kutleša, Archbishop and Metropolitan of Zagreb.
(Photo credit: Grad Vukovar/Miroslav Štafhauzer)
Mayor Ivan Penava remarked that the emotional weight of these days does not fade with time and that they remain particularly difficult for the people of Vukovar.
“Each year, there are fewer participants from the Homeland War, but what comforts us is the increasing number of young people on the streets of Vukovar. This proves that the memory of Vukovar is alive and has been successfully passed on to younger generations, giving us hope for a better future.
(Photo credit: Grad Vukovar/Miroslav Štafhauzer)
Thank you to everyone who joined Vukovar today, whether by walking in the Column of Remembrance or paying tribute across Croatia and the world,” said Mayor Penava. He added that thoughts and prayers are focused on the brave defenders and civilians who lost their lives defending Vukovar and Croatia.
(Photo credit: Grad Vukovar/Miroslav Štafhauzer)
(Photo credit: Grad Vukovar/Miroslav Štafhauzer)
(Photo credit: Grad Vukovar/Miroslav Štafhauzer)
“From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for being with Vukovar today. Thank you for every candle lit, every step taken, and every prayer offered!
(Photo credit: Grad Vukovar/Miroslav Štafhauzer)
(Photo credit: Grad Vukovar/Miroslav Štafhauzer)
Thank you for remembering the sacrifice of Vukovar and for keeping the memory of Croatian defenders and civilians alive—those who gave their lives for our freedom!”
(Photo credit: Grad Vukovar/Miroslav Štafhauzer)
The siege of Vukovar, lasting 87 days in 1991, resulted in the deaths of 2,717 civilians and soldiers, left 1,219 wounded, and forced the expulsion of over 22,000 non-Serbs, with hundreds still missing.
