The 35th anniversary of the first exchange of detained Croatian defenders and civilians from Serbian concentration camps was marked in Mošćenica. The commemoration was held at the memorial in Mošćenica, at a site known as "At the ashes", and was organised by the Croatian Association of Detainees in Serbian Concentration Camps – Sisačko-Moslavačka County Branch.
The aim of the commemoration was to preserve the memory of the suffering of Croatian defenders and civilians during the Homeland War. The first and largest exchange of prisoners in this area took place on 31 October 1991, when numerous Croatian defenders and civilians were once again greeted by freedom after difficult days spent in captivity.
Deputy Mayor of the City of Petrinja Tea Rambovsek Aleksić attended the event, where she emphasised the importance of permanently preserving the memory of the suffering and sacrifice of Croatian defenders and civilians. She also highlighted the importance of passing the truth about the Homeland War on to future generations.
Deputy County Mayor of Sisačko-Moslavačka County Mihael Jurić, who was also the envoy of the President of the Croatian Parliament Gordan Jandroković, was also present. He stressed that the sacrifice of Croatian defenders and civilians who endured the horrors of captivity must never be forgotten, noting that for many of them, the day of the exchange represented a second birthday.
State Secretary in the Ministry of Croatian Veterans Zlatan Bašić also attended the commemoration. He himself experienced captivity in a camp in Srijemska Mitrovica. He emphasised that the anniversary of the exchange, despite painful memories, also represents a day of joy due to the return to freedom.
In addition to officials, representatives of veterans' associations, camp survivors and members of their families attended the commemoration.
