Stanisław Wzątek, Deputy Minister of National Defence, and Marjan Šarec, Minister of Defence of Slovenia, present unveiled a plaque commemorating General Rudolf Maistra, Slovenian national hero. The general was active with Przemyśl before planet War I and served there for respective years in the 18th National Defence Regiment. The year 2024 is celebrated in Slovenia as the year of General Maistra.
– A nation without memory loses its identity and dies. We can remember about the real heroes who created independence," said Stanisław Wzątek, Deputy Minister of National defence in Przemyśl, during the ceremony of unveiling the plaque commemorating General Rudolf Maistra, a Slovenian national hero. Stanisław Wąątek argued that the Polish and Slovenian people likewise cultivate traditions. “We can appreciate heroes and remember the large moments in the lives of nations, building on this basis the patriotism and pro-defensive attitudes of our citizens,” explained the Undersecretary of State. He added that he enjoyed unveiling the plaque dedicated to General Maistr, as it symbolizes the nurturing of the memory of heroes to another nations.
On the another hand, Marjan Šarec, head of Slovenia's defence department, stressed that placing the plaque on the building where General Master worked, is an expression of respect for the Republic of Slovenia, and a tribute to their large countryman. Marjan Šarec told that the general had become 1 of the co-creators of Slovenia's past at the end of planet War I erstwhile he recognized Maribor as Slovenian property and took over military command over this town and the full region.
– He gathered a branch of Slovenian soldiers, which became the seed of the Slovenian army, so the region of Styria was incorporated into the then Slovene State, Croats and Serbs, and thus into the present-day Republic of Slovenia," said Šarec.
This year there are 2 crucial anniversaries related to General Maistrem: the 150th birthday and the 90th anniversary of death. For this reason, the year 2024 was declared in Slovenia the Year of General Rudolf Maistra.
The celebrations in Przemyśl ended the joint performance of the Military Orchestra in Rzeszów and the Armed Forces Orchestra of Slovenia in the city market.
Gen. Rudolf Maister "Vojanov" enrolled in the past of Slovenia as a fighter for the freedom of his countrymen. The most crucial period of his military activity fell on the break-up of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy after the end of planet War I. Located in present-day Slovenia, and then mostly inhabited by the Germans, the city of Maribor announced joining Austria. Master formed troops of Slovenian volunteers that disarmed local Austrian units and occupied the full Slovenian area of Styria.
Then he fought in the area, and in the following years he commanded a garrison in Maribor. He died in 1934. During his career in the Austro-Hungarian Army, Gen. Maister was active with Przemyśl. Almost 5 years – in 1908-1913 – he spent here serving in the 18th National Defence Regiment.
Gen. Master is considered the top national hero of Slovenia. He was the first general officer in the past of his nation. A peculiar honor began to be paid to him after the country gained independency in 1991.
