The celebration of the Liberation Day of Rijeka began with laying wreaths at Rijeka memorials and it proceeded in the City Hall, where vice mayor Željko Jovanović and the president of the Association of Antifascist Fighters and Antifascists of the City of Rijeka Dinko Tamarut welcomed the attendees.

Tamarut reminded that 65 years ago on this day Rijeka was liberated.
"The battle for Rijeka was decisive, because it was to resolve military and political issues relevant for organising the newly constituted state. On that day at about 01:00 p.m., the fighters of the 3rd battalion included in the 19th division defeated the last enemy circle and Rijeka was liberated with many victims. The enemy was forced to withdraw and while retreating they destroyed the port, factories, bridges - the city was in flame. The war ended, the wounds of war healed, what was destructed was rebuilt, and our city, our Rijeka now as a unique city, develops and becomes a modern and a pleasant place to live, while the Rječina becomes a symbol of integration and freedom," reminded Tamarut.

Extending his congratulations to all fellow citizens on the occasion of the Liberation Day of Rijeka, vice mayor Jovanović said that by liberating Rijeka not only had the German occupier been defeated, moreover the frontier had been pulled down on the bridge over the Rječina that for years had separated artificially Sušak and Rijeka.
"This is a historical fact without which it is impossible to conceive the future and the development of our city. Owing to this victory the ideas of fascism were defeated and freedom was preserved. Rijeka has again become a unique city. The photos making part of the book titled "Rijeka – Memories" – presented to the public last week, testify about the horrible consequences caused by the occupier's destructions and about incredible efforts put to renew the city. And there should be many such books, because to remember means to appreciate what we have today," said Jovanović.

The commemorative programme was enriched by the performance of the Mixed choir "Jeka primorja" and the drama actor Žarko Radić who recited poems written by Jure Kaštelan.
(S.R.)