Liberation80: Military Cemeteries in Zvolen Are Taken Care of by Town

Zvolen, April 6 (TASR) - The military cemeteries in Zvolen (Banska Bystrica region) are taken care of by the town, but it receives a contribution from the state each year, Zvolen spokesman Martin Svatuska told TASR, adding that, however, in order to keep the monuments in good condition, the town also allocates its finances. Svatuska added that this is the only way to ensure basic maintenance, cleaning of cemeteries and care of greenery. According to him, almost five years ago the town restored the Cemetery of the Fallen Soldiers of the Soviet Army. It was thanks to a state subsidy of €200,000. At that time, the Russian side financed the production of memorial plaques with the names of the fallen soldiers. The Interior Ministry stated that more than 17,000 soldiers who died during the liberation of Slovakia are buried in the Red Army cemetery. It is dominated by a 15-metre-high pylon on a stepped base. "After Michalovce [Kosice region], it is the second largest cemetery of fallen Red Army soldiers in Slovakia," said Zvolen's monuments and sights officer Lubica Milanova. Next to it there is the largest cemetery of Romanian army soldiers who died during the liberation of Slovakia in World War II. The central part of its acropolis is a monument with staircases on all sides. A total of 10,382 Romanian soldiers and officers are buried in the area. am