Commemoration for Kraljevo civilians executed in 1941

KRALJEVO - A commemorative ceremony took place on Tuesday to pay respects to the citizens of Kraljevo who were executed by German firing squads in October 1941.

A memorial service was held and wreathes were laid at their tombs in the Memorial Park.

On this day 73 years ago, the soldiers of Nazi Germany shot 2,190 citizens of Kraljevo.

The commemoration at the mass gravesite in the Memorial Park near the railway station started with an honorary artillery salute, followed by a memorial service held by priests of the Eparchy of Zica, in the presence of several thousand citizens.

Kraljevo city officials, a delegation of the city of Maribor, the association of Jasenovac camp survivors and victims of World War II, and family members of the victims of fascism laid wreaths at the tombs of the executed.

The stage oratorio 'Messages and Wills' (Poruke i oporuke) based on documented accounts of the shooting of Kraljevo civilians in October 1941 was staged at the Memorial Park's amphitheater.

Kraljevo Mayor Tomislav Ilic stressed at the ceremony that it is our obligation to make sure that this date and this place are never left to oblivion.

"This site reminds us of the times of plight at the start of World War II, when Nazis dug a grave here for an entire city. The sound of their guns firing and the cries of the wounded are echoing to this day. They remain an open wound and a warning to the descendants of the victims and the executors alike," said Ilic.

A commemorative session was held earlier in the day at the City Assembly as a tribute to the victims of fascism.

Photo Tanjug - Sasa Petrovic