The historical unit of Krapina-Zagorje County, Kostelska pištola – Keglevićeva straža Kostel, has come under fire from sections of the public following photographs published on social media. The images show the unit attending the commemoration of the anniversary of the death of Josip Broz Tito in Kumrovec.
Some members of the public believe that a historical unit capable of paying tribute to Tito has no place at ceremonies marking the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Vukovar and Škabrnja. This day is observed on 18 November, with central events traditionally held in Vukovar and Škabrnja.
The editorial team of Zagorje International sent an inquiry to the Škabrnja municipality regarding the possibility of Keglevićeva straža participating in the anniversary of the Škabrnja tragedy. The Škabrnja municipality responded that it has no practice of sending invitations to units.
The Škabrnja municipality is organising this year’s programme for the commemoration of the Škabrnja tragedy in accordance with the protocol applied in previous years. No special invitations are issued to military or historical units, including the historical unit of Krapina-Zagorje County, Kostelska pištola – Keglevićeva straža Kostel, as part of the official programme.
The Škabrnja municipality also stated that anyone is welcome in Škabrnja if they wish to pay tribute to the fallen Croatian defenders. The commemoration of the Day of Remembrance in Škabrnja is open to all who wish to pay a dignified tribute to the innocent victims and Croatian defenders.
The Škabrnja municipality stated that it cannot and does not intend to prohibit individuals or groups from coming to Škabrnja to pay tribute to the victims. However, as they emphasised, coming to Škabrnja does not imply participation in the official protocol organised by the Škabrnja municipality.
The Škabrnja municipality conveyed that its sole goal is for the commemoration of this sad anniversary to pass with dignity, in peace and with piety towards all victims, without unnecessary political and ideological divisions.
