Liberation80: ZMOS: Tragedy in Klak and Ostry Grun Warning against Hatred

Bratislava, January 20 (TASR) - The tragedy that took place 80 years ago in the Klak Valley isn't only a testimony about the cruelty of war, but also a symbol to recall Nazi reprisals that should serve as a warning against the dangers of intolerance, division and hatred, the Slovak Towns and Municipalities Association (ZMOS) stressed in its statement on the 80th anniversary of the massacres in the villages of Klak and Ostry Grun (now in Banska Bystrica region). On January 21-22, 1945, Nazi troops and domestic collaborators murdered most of the inhabitants of the villages of Klak and Ostry Grun, which they subsequently burned down. "These inexcusable acts took the lives of 150 innocent people, including women, children and old people, and destroyed human dwellings," stated ZMOS chairman Jozef Bozik. Bozik emphasised the need to recall such tragic events and to draw lessons from them. "We are calling on all citizens to jointly protect the values ​​that form the basis of our society - peace, tolerance and respect for each other. Only respect for these principles can prevent similar tragedies from recurring," he noted. Bozik pointed to historical experience confirming that evil arises from hatred, the absence of humanity and mutual respect. Therefore, it's our duty to lead future generations to understanding, empathy and cooperation. Each of us is an integral part of protecting the values ​​that guarantee a peaceful and dignified coexistence," added the ZMOS chairman. The tragic events in the Klak Valley took place on January 21, 1945 in revenge for the help provided by locals to the partisan groups in the Slovak National Uprising. The village of Klak was attacked in the morning by the Edelweiss anti-partisan unit led by the SS, whose members included Slovaks. They killed 84 people in the village, including women, children and the elderly, many of whom were burned alive in their houses. Members of the Edelweiss unit, in cooperation with a special SS unit and a Heimatschutz unit, also attacked the village of Ostry Grun on the same day. They killed 64 citizens in one of the houses and subsequently set the house on fire. They drove the remaining inhabitants out and robbed the village. Three days later, they returned to the site and burned down the remaining 112 houses. ko/df