A memorial park dedicated to Zdravko Špalj Papundek, a Croatian defender who was killed on this day in 1991, was ceremonially opened in Senj on 13 October 2026. The opening marked the 35th anniversary of his death and drew numerous guests and citizens.
Croatian veterans, members of the fallen defender's family, representatives of public and cultural life in Senj, and numerous citizens attended the ceremony. Among the guests were State Secretary Darko Nekić, as an envoy of the Vice-President of the Government of the Republic of Croatia and Minister of Croatian Veterans Tomo Medved, President of the County Assembly of Lika-Senj County Ines Žarković, representatives of Lika-Senj County, and Mayor of the City of Senj Željko Tomljanović.
Zdravko Špalj Papundek was a Senj native who gave his life in the defence of the Homeland during the Croatian War of Independence. He was one of the Croatian defenders who answered the call to defend the Homeland in 1991, and as a member of the Croatian Defence Forces (HOS) he took part in the defence of Vukovar. He was killed on 13 October 1991 in Bogdanovci, while covering the withdrawal of Vukovar's defence commander Mile Dedaković Jastreb.
Milan Tomljanović, president of the Uskok Senj Veterans' Association, addressed those gathered, recalling Zdravko's wartime path, his bravery and selfless sacrifice. He stressed that the memorial park represents a lasting symbol of gratitude and a place for preserving the memory of Croatian defenders.
Mayor Željko Tomljanović, in his address, highlighted the importance of permanently preserving the memory of Zdravko Špalj Papundek, and of all Croatian defenders from the Senj area who gave their lives for a free and independent Croatia. "It is our obligation never to forget them, to preserve their memory, and to pass on to younger generations the truth about the time in which the Croatian state was created," the mayor said.
State Secretary Darko Nekić addressed the gathering with appropriate words, stressing the importance of marking the 35th anniversary of the Croatian War of Independence and of permanently honouring Croatian defenders who gave their lives to lay the foundations of the Croatian state.
The total value of the arrangement of Memorial Park Zdravko Špalj Papundek and the construction of the memorial monument is just under 70,000.00 euros. The project was jointly funded by the Ministry of Croatian Veterans and the City of Senj. With the realisation of this project, Senj has gained a dignified space of lasting memory, gratitude and respect for one of its fallen defenders.
As part of the ceremonial programme, the vocal-instrumental ensemble of Senj retirees "Bonaca" performed, and the parish vicar, Father Karlo Špoljarić, led the blessing of the monument. The unveiling of the monument was carried out by Zdravko's twin sisters, Snježa and Sanja Tomljanović.
