In his speech, the mayor of Jablonec, Miloš Vele, admitted that in recent years he could not imagine that the hardships of the war would return. Nevertheless, it happened, and the war conflict in Ukraine has been going on for over a year.

“Just a few hundred kilometers from our borders, people are experiencing war again. We definitely must not give in to the feeling that the war in Ukraine is none of our business,” Mayor Vele pleaded with those present, saying it was necessary to see the dangers of ideology plunging the world into in the Second World War, and to take responsibility for future generations. “It is up to us to leave a legacy for future generations. But we must not destroy the legacy of the people who are here,” added Milos Vele.

Speech by Mayor Milos Vele:

Dear sirs and madams,

today we gather here to commemorate the anniversary of the end of World War II. This war started secretly. The populists, first in Germany and then in our country, promised to solve the economic crisis and economic problems that had arisen in the 1930s. Instead of the promised prosperity came liberties, wars, disasters and other horrors. Millions of victims, broken families, destroyed cities and great human suffering. The consequences of that war were catastrophic.

I must admit that in the last years of my life I could not imagine that the hardships of war could return. And it happened. Just a few hundred kilometers from our border, people are experiencing war again. We definitely must not give in to the feeling that the war in Ukraine does not concern us. Let’s appreciate that our society is democratic. Let’s be tolerant and understanding. Let’s protect human rights, freedom and democracy.

The historical format is repeated again and again in a new form. We think that they are again populists trying to manipulate us and lead us astray from the path of common sense and responsible decision-making. We must recognize and see the ideological dangers around us that plunged the world into World War II.

We must also have a responsibility towards future generations. It is up to us to leave a legacy for future generations. But we must not destroy the legacy of those who lie here and give their lives for freedom. It is our duty for future generations not to destroy this heritage.