Pag marks 35th anniversary of the Day of Defense

The island of Pag marked the 35th anniversary of the Day of Defense of Pag, commemorating the events of October 1991 during the Croatian War of Independence. For the first time, the cities of Pag and Novalja, along with the municipalities of Kolan and Povljana, held a joint program under the slogan ‘One island – one defense – one memory’.

The commemorations honored the strategic role Pag played in maintaining the vital transport connection between northern and southern Croatia. During the conflict, the defense of the Pag Bridge and the Žigljen–Prizna ferry connection was essential for the movement of people, wounded soldiers, food, and medical supplies. The Šiška War Hospital, activated on October 3, 1991, also played a critical role in treating the wounded.

Ceremonies included laying wreaths at the Žigljen ferry port, the Pag City Cemetery, and local cemeteries in Povljana and Kolan, as well as at the Pag Bridge. On the island's highest peak, Sveti Vid, a stone cross crafted by Franći Oguić was blessed in memory of the defenders. Darko Nekić, State Secretary in the Ministry of Croatian Veterans, attended the central ceremony in Pag, highlighting the island's strategic importance in preserving national connectivity.