The event was hosted by Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic Peter Pellegrini and among the guests were the prime ministers of the Czech Republic and Hungary. The celebrations started at the Freedom Gate in Devin where Minister Jacek Czaputowicz laid a wreath on behalf of Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. Then Minister Czaputowicz participated in an official dinner hosted by the Slovak prime minister and a concert to mark the 30th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution, which was held in the Slovak National Theatre.

The Velvet Revolution started with a great anti-government demonstration in Prague on 17 November 1989. Gradually, the protest swept across other cities of the then Czechoslovakia, including Bratislava. The Czech Civil Forum and the Slovak Public against Violence, which were established to organize the protests, over time evolved into democratic political groups.

The Velvet Revolution culminated the process to topple Communist authorities in Central European states, known as the Autumn of Nations.

Today, the Czech and Slovak Republics celebrate 17 November as the Fight for Freedom and Democracy Day to commemorate the events of 1989.

MFA Press Office

photo Tymon Markowski / MFA