On Wednesday, 16 September, family members of deceased Croatian defenders, their comrades, representatives of veterans' associations, police, and local authorities, along with many citizens, gathered to mark the 35th anniversary of the liberation of the 'Pol' barracks and the Day of the Defender of the City of Daruvar.
The commemoration began at the memorial to the place where police officer Josip Pleša died, where tribute was paid to him and to all Croatian defenders and civilians who had laid down their lives for the Republic of Croatia. On that day, 16 September 1991, during fighting in the Daruvar area, Damir Nađ, Željko Leja, Stjepan Šepl, August and Božena Hašek, Josip Herout, and Dr. Josip Pleša, a representative of the Bjelovar-Bilogora police directorate, lost their lives. In honour of these individuals, and all Croatian defenders who had died or gone missing, those present paid tribute with a minute's silence.
Thirty-five years ago, Croatian forces launched a military-police operation to liberate the 'Pol' barracks, which represented one of the key turning points of the Croatian War of Independence in the Daruva region. Family members of the deceased, comrades, representatives of veterans' associations, police, and local authorities laid wreaths and lit candles in tribute to the Croatian defenders.
Representatives of the Bjelovar-Bilogora police directorate, including the commander of the Intervention Police Unit of the Bjelovar-Bilogora police, Ivica Ćurić, and the heads of police stations, paid tribute to the deceased. The gathered crowd paid tribute to those who had laid down their lives in defence of the homeland.
On Saturday, 19 September, Trg slobode (Freedom Square) in Bel Manastir will become a place of cultural, musical, and social gathering. The City of Bel Manastir will host an event as part of the 'Out in the Open' series, to be held from 9:00 to 11:00 outside the Art School. Visitors will be able to view a photograph exhibition from the archives of the cultural centre, while the musical interlude will be provided by Mirna and Jura. The cultural centre invites citizens to stroll to Trg slobode, pause by the photographs, and enjoy the music and company.
