Reminding of the tragedy of Kragujevac that took place on October the 21st 1941 which is a date unique in the history of Mankind, deeply engraved in the spirit and the identity of Kragujevac, the Mayor Nikola Dašić organized a reception for the representatives of the Government of the Republic of Serbia, the ministries and the embassies, as well as for the delegations of the sister cities.
October the 21st is a date we all remember because it is engraved in our spirit and identity in two ways. It is the day on which a great atrocity was committed in 1941 in Kragujevac, which is why we are all gathered here today, said Mayor Dašić. It is the day when 100 civilians were executed for every German soldier killed and 50 civilians were executed for every German soldier wounded. Among the executed civilians there were professors and 300 students of the Grammar School.
This made Kragujevac one of the greatest victim cities of the world. On the other hand, it also made our city send each year a clear message of peace for generations to come - to never forget how far the horrors of war can reach, and to say "No!" to them in the future.
On the same date in 1944, Kragujevac was liberated. This is the date that makes us even stronger and better, said Mayor Dašić and invited all the guests and dignitaries to come to Šumarice and send a message of peace to the world through the unique anti-war manifestation the Great School Class.
The Day of Remembrance of the Kragujevac and all Serbian victims in the Second World War began with a liturgy in the Church of the Holy New Martyrs of Kragujevac in Šumarice, after which wreaths were laid near the Monument to the Shot Students and Teachers where the poem "Lessons from a Memory" by Dragan Hamović was performed.
