On 18th May 2014 at the National Cemetery in front of the Small Fortress in Terezín, a traditional commemorative event was held to honour the victims of Nazi persecution . The event was organized by the Central Committee of the Czech Union of Freedom Fighters along with the Terezín Memorial and the following co-organizers: Usti nad Labem region, town of Terezín, Federation of Jewish Communities in the Czech Republic and Terezin Initiative. Patronage of the commemoration ceremony was taken by the Minister of Culture Daniel Herman.
The reverent act was viewed by hundreds of people despite steady rain. Laying of wreaths and bouquets was followed by the anthem, a Christian prayer from the mouth of the Provost of St Stephen Chapter in Litomerice Jiri Hladik, and a Jewish prayer delivered by Prague Chief Rabbi Karol Sidon.
The main speech was delivered by Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka. The remembrance ceremony programme ended with a chorus from the third act of Verdi’s opera Nabucco performed by Děčín choir.
Before the commemorative ceremony at the National Cemetery, there was one another commemorative act, that took place at the former place of execution in the Small Fortress to honour the victims of the last execution carried out in the Terezin police prison at the beginning of May 1945.
from TM press release
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- Ministr obrany ČR Martin Stropnický a Petr Pavel, náčelník Generálního štábu Armády České republiky, kladení věnců, Terezínská tryzna 2014.
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- Ministr obrany ČR Martin Stropnický a Petr Pavel, náčelník Generálního štábu Armády České republiky, kladení věnců, Terezínská tryzna 2014.
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- Bohuslav Sobotka, předseda vlády ČR při projevu, Terezínská tryzna 2014.
