On the occasion of All Saints' Day, a commemoration was held at the Municipal Cemetery in Labin to pay tribute to all deceased citizens of the Labin region, as well as those who gave their lives for the freedom of Croatia.
Attendees included representatives of the City of Labin, neighbouring municipalities, associations stemming from the Homeland War, the Anti-Fascist Association, the Josip Broz Tito Society, the police, the Public Fire Brigade and other organisations. By laying wreaths, lighting candles and observing a minute's silence, those gathered remembered all who are no longer among us.
Speaking on behalf of the City of Labin and the municipalities of Raša, Sveta Nedelja, Kršan and Pićan, Labin Mayor Donald Blašković thanked all generations whose work contributed to the development of the Labin region, as well as those who participated in the liberation of Croatia.
Blašković said that they had gathered again this year at the Labin cemetery to pay tribute in silence and respect to those who are no longer with us. On All Saints' Day, he noted, people pause, light candles and lay wreaths as a sign of gratitude and remembrance for deceased family members, friends and fellow citizens.
The mayor emphasised that the city has been shaped by the work and perseverance of many generations. He mentioned miners who worked deep underground, farmers, tradespeople, teachers, fishermen, housewives and people who survived difficult times without losing faith in a better tomorrow. Many of them did not have much, but they left behind the most valuable things: the city, the community and an example of how to endure, Blašković said.
He highlighted that laying wreaths and lighting candles are not merely acts of remembrance, but also expressions of gratitude and a promise that the contribution of previous generations will not be forgotten. All Saints' Day reminds us that life is precious and the time we have with those we love is limited, he said.
He urged those present to use the moment to be closer to one another, to visit those who are alone, to forgive and to give thanks before it is too late. He called on people to call those they care about more often, help a lonely neighbour and be more patient and gentle with one another. The most beautiful monument to the departed is a city where people respect and care for one another, Blašković concluded.
At the end of the commemoration, Labin parish priest Lino Zohil blessed the final resting places of the deceased.
