Slovakia observes Remembrance Day for veterans

On November 11, Slovakia observes Remembrance Day, also known as Poppy Day, to honor the victims of war and those who served for peace. In Banská Bystrica, a memorial ceremony will take place at 11:11 at the military cemetery in Majer.

Since 2013, the city has maintained this tradition by placing wreaths at various memorial sites, including the Black Obelisk, the Roman Catholic cemetery, and several monuments dedicated to victims of fascism and World War I. This year, wreaths will be placed at the National House in memory of members of the British Special Operations Executive, the American Office of Strategic Services, and their Slovak allies who fought near Banská Bystrica during the Slovak National Uprising in 1944.

The red poppy serves as the international symbol for the day, inspired by the poem ‘In Flanders Fields’ by Canadian physician John McCrae. The date marks the 1918 armistice that ended fighting on the Western Front during World War I.