Rijeka Marks Liberation Day with commemorations and ceremonies

Rijeka marked Liberation Day on Sunday, commemorating the city’s liberation from Nazi-fascist occupation in 1945.

The program included a wreath-laying ceremony at the Liberation Monument, honoring the thousands of fighters who freed the city after a difficult battle at the end of World War II.

“We need to rethink how we communicate anti-fascism to young people, because they differ from us in how they learn about and understand the world, and some may even hold different value systems. At the same time, there are core principles we must uphold together: freedom, equality, anti-fascism, and justice. These are values we need to actively promote and reaffirm every day,” said Rijeka Mayor Iva Rinčić.

Candles were also lit on the Croatian Veterans’ Bridge in memory of those who died in the Homeland War.

“The message is clear: we must never forget the sacrifice made to build this country, so that young people could live in freedom,” said Valter Cvijetan, president of the Association of War Veterans of the 128th Brigade of the Croatian Army.