{"id":344,"date":"2025-10-30T08:47:27","date_gmt":"2025-10-30T07:47:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/slsp.diorama.link\/pribeh-pamatnika\/"},"modified":"2025-11-27T10:40:20","modified_gmt":"2025-11-27T09:40:20","slug":"memorial","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/slsp.diorama.link\/en\/memorial\/","title":{"rendered":"Memorial"},"content":{"rendered":"
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November 1989 Memorial<\/h1>\n

In November 1989, a movement began in this place that changed history.<\/p>\n

N\u00e1mestie slobody (Freedom Square) in Bratislava became one of the first venues of civic resistance against the communist regime. It was here that the first public protests in Slovakia took place, despite the cold, rain, and uncertainty.<\/p>\n

The memorial that stands here today bears a quiet yet powerful message. Footprints are embedded in the concrete block, symbolizing the steps of thousands of people who were not afraid to step out for freedom. Just as they once exerted real pressure on those in power, today they create a memorial site that reminds us of the courage of civil society.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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How did the November 1989 Memorial come to be and why is it located at N\u00e1mestie slobody?<\/h1>\n

The initiative to create the November 1989 Memorial came from a group of citizens after a decade had passed since November 17 was declared a national holiday in the Slovak Republic, but state institutions remained inactive.<\/p>\n

In 2011, the Memorial Initiative was formed: J\u00e1n Budaj \u2013 founder and chairman of VPN, Professor Rudolf SIKORA, artist \u2013 convener of the Artists’ Club, priest Anton SRHOLEC \u2013 chairman of the Confederation of Political Prisoners, Eugen GINDL \u2013 journalist and first editor-in-chief of the revolutionary newspaper Verejnos\u0165, Ing. Arch. Bohuslav KRAUS \u2013 architect and member of KV VPN, Ing. Vladim\u00edr ONDRU\u0160 \u2013 VPN’s first nominee to the government of national understanding, and conductor Anton POPOVI\u010c \u2013 one of the leaders of the Student Movement in 1989.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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The Initiative asked the City Council of the capital to provide space for the memorial at N\u00e1mestie slobody (Freedom Square).<\/p>\n

Until 1989, this square was annually used to commemorate February 25 as the day of the establishment of communist totality. One of the largest statues of the communist regime stood here, in honor of the Chairman of the Communist Party, Klement Gottwald. The regime’s political interests dictated the entire design of the square \u2013 their goal was to minimize public space as much as possible to prevent civic gatherings. Therefore, the public space was narrowed into concrete corridors. The majority of the area was taken up by raised concrete \u201cplanters\u201d (“kochl\u00edky”) between the corridors, where entry was forbidden. The fountain also reduced the open area. Its pumps had outlets on the surface so they could be used to disperse possible gatherings.<\/p>\n

It is symbolic that the first mass protest of the Velvet Revolution (about 15,000 citizens) took place here on November 21, 1989. The crowd filled the entire area of Gottwald Square; people stood even inside the fountain and stepped out of the corridors onto the grassy \u201cforbidden zones.\u201d The VPN movement introduced itself to this mass of people here and began to organize further events of the Velvet Revolution.<\/p>\n

In the mud and snow on the forbidden raised areas, traces were left by the people who, at this square, began to take public affairs into their own hands. This moment inspired the creators of the November 1989 Memorial.<\/p>\n

But first it was necessary to push through the idea that the Velvet Revolution memorial should be located precisely at N\u00e1mestie slobody. In addition to the Memorial Initiative, many other November personalities supported this idea. Experts involved in plans for the reconstruction of N\u00e1mestie slobody at that time also viewed it positively.<\/p>\n

In 2014, the Memorial Initiative obtained approval from the Bratislava City Council to place the November 1989 Memorial (Resolution No. 1574\/2014). They subsequently raised funds to organize an international art competition for the design of the memorial. In the competition brief, organized in consultation with the Slovak Union of Visual Arts, the Initiative defined the requirements for the memorial’s form and function. The design also had to take into account plans for the reconstruction of N\u00e1mestie slobody, which was to serve both as a place for relaxation and civic gatherings.<\/p>\n

In 2014, the Memorial Initiative established a Jury for the anonymous competition it announced. It was chaired by Professor Jozef Jankovi\u010d, and its members were: literary theorist M\u00e1ria B\u00e1torov\u00e1, chief architect of Bratislava Ingrid Konrad, journalist and playwright Eugen Gindl, Professor of the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design in Prague Kurt Gebauer, artist Rudolf Sikora, architect Peter Gero, art theorist Petra Han\u00e1kov\u00e1, art theorist Mira Keratov\u00e1, historian M\u00e1ria Filkov\u00e1, and chairman of the Slovak Union of Visual Arts Pavol Kr\u00e1\u013e. More than 30 authors submitted their proposals to the competition.<\/p>\n

Before the Jury’s decision, the Memorial Initiative organized a public exhibition of all the proposals (November 2014). The public could comment in writing or mark the selected work with a sticker. Such public participation had not occurred with any other memorial in the city before.<\/p>\n

The jury decided not to award a first prize. It recommended 6 proposals to the Memorial Initiative for a second round of selection. In the period that followed, the chairman of the jury, J. Jankovi\u010d, and the organizer of the Memorial Initiative, J\u00e1n Budaj, worked with several of the 6 recommended proposals. The aim was to further develop the design of the memorial so that it fulfilled the competition criteria as much as possible and met public expectations. From this dialogue emerged the final proposal\u2014the \u201cFootprints\u201d concept by architects Emanuel Zatlukaj and Branislav Lackovi\u010d, in collaboration with the sculptor Jakub Trajter.<\/p>\n

J\u00e1n Budaj, together with the authors, then defended the November 1989 Memorial concept before the expert commissions of the City of Bratislava. Finally, the design for the November 1989 Memorial was presented to the public in 2019, together with the Mayor of Bratislava.<\/p>\n

It was then possible to move forward with realization, but the funds approved for the Memorial by the City Council were insufficient. In 2021, the Government of the Slovak Republic also became involved with the project. It approved financial support equal to that of the City of Bratislava, i.e., 200,000 euros. In addition, the government decreed that upon completion, the memorial would become a statutory site of the Slovak Republic.<\/p>\n

However, circumstances prevented realization\u2014first the COVID-19 pandemic, and then, in 2022, a sharp rise in energy and non-ferrous metal prices as a result of Russia’s attack on Ukraine.<\/p>\n

Over the course of 2023, prices for energy and non-ferrous metals returned to lower levels. Nevertheless, the government that took office after the 2023 elections postponed providing financial support for the Memorial.<\/p>\n

The government finally announced its position in summer 2024: it decided not to provide funds for the Memorial before 2027 (that is, before the end of its mandate). This decision prevented the unveiling of the Memorial in time for the 35th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution.<\/p>\n

In autumn 2024, the Memorial Initiative and the authors began seeking sponsors, including from the Slovensk\u00e1 sporite\u013e\u0148a Foundation. In 2025, the Slovensk\u00e1 sporite\u013e\u0148a Foundation decided to financially support the construction of the November 1989 Memorial, making it possible to proceed with realization (July\u2013October 2025).<\/p>\n

The Memorial was unveiled on November 17, 2025. It consists of a concrete block, occupying exactly the same spot where one of the elevated and \u201cforbidden\u201d grassy areas once stood. The word \u201c1989\u201d is inscribed in concrete on the front face of the Memorial. The word \u201cNOVEMBER\u201d is set into the concrete pavement in front of the Memorial. On the horizontal surface of the Memorial, hundreds of brass footprints are scattered. The footprints point toward the seat of power. The Memorial will thus not only commemorate the Velvet Revolution but also serve as a reminder that power in our state comes from the citizens.<\/p>\n

The November 1989 Memorial is complemented by digital communication: texts created in collaboration between the City of Bratislava and the Slovensk\u00e1 sporite\u013e\u0148a Foundation. Through a QR code, passersby can conveniently access key information about the days of November 1989 as well as about the authors of the November 1989 Memorial.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Authors<\/h1>\n
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Ing. arch. Emanuel Zatlukaj<\/div>\n
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Ing. arch.<\/span>
Branislav
Lackovi\u010d<\/div>\n
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Mgr. art.<\/span>
Jakub
Trajter<\/div>\n
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Partners<\/h3>\n
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Ing. arch.
Emanuel
Zatlukaj<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n
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Ing. arch.
Emanuel
Zatlukaj<\/h2>\n
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Education<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Faculty of Architecture, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Department of Architecture<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Selected projects<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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  • Residential Complex Rozadol, Bratislava<\/li>\n
  • Residential Complex Tri ve\u017ee, Bratislava<\/li>\n
  • ROOMS Limassol<\/li>\n
  • Interier studio<\/li>\n
  • Pernoud Mold CE<\/li>\n
  • SPAP Administration<\/li>\n
  • Wallenrod<\/li>\n
  • Brezno Department Store<\/li>\n
  • Nov\u00fd h\u00e1j Apartment Building<\/li>\n
  • Sokolsk\u00e1<\/li>\n
  • \u010cere\u0161ne<\/li>\n
  • MamaPapa<\/li>\n
  • Kol\u00edsky<\/li>\n
  • Vyhliadka Dev\u00ednska Kobyla<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n <\/div>\n
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    Awards and competitions\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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    • 2015 \u2013 CE ZA AR Architecture Award, Nov\u00fd h\u00e1j Apartment Building \u2013 co-author<\/li>\n
    • Nominations for CE ZA AR \/ Du\u0161an Jurkovi\u010d Prize for projects Wallenrod, OD Brezno, Nov\u00fd h\u00e1j, Kol\u00edsky, Vyhliadka Dev\u00ednska Kobyla \u2013 co-author<\/li>\n
    • Competitions in public spaces<\/li>\n
    • Imrich Karva\u0161 Sculpture \u2013 co-author, 2nd place<\/li>\n
    • Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Bratislava \u2013 co-author, 3rd place<\/li>\n
    • Military Cemetery Bansk\u00e1 Bystrica \u2013 co-author, commendation<\/li>\n
    • Museum Gerulata \u2013 special commendation, co-author<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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      Ing. arch.
      Branislav
      Lackovi\u010d<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n
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      Ing. arch.
      Branislav
      Lackovi\u010d<\/h2>\n
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      <\/h4>\n

      Education<\/strong><\/h4>\n

      Faculty of Architecture, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Department of Architecture<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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      Selected projects<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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      • Apollo Business Center I and II, Bratislava<\/li>\n
      • Hotel Mercure, Bratislava<\/li>\n
      • Aupark Pie\u0161\u0165any<\/li>\n
      • Studies for Aupark (Zvolen, Hradec Kr\u00e1lov\u00e9, Ko\u0161ice, etc.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n <\/div>\n
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        Awards and competitions\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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        • 2009 \u2013 CE ZA AR Architecture Award (exterior) for Apollo Business Center II, Bratislava \u2013 collaboration for Jan\u010dina architekti<\/li>\n
        • 2009 \u2013 Building of the Year, Mayor of Bratislava’s Award for Apollo Business Center II \u2013 collaboration for Jan\u010dina architekti<\/li>\n
        • 2017 \u2013 CE ZA AR Architecture Award, Public Choice Award for the project \u201cRevitalisation of a Part of N\u00e1mestie slobody in Prievidza\u201d \u2013 co-author, TXT architekti; nomination in the exterior category<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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          Mgr. art.
          Jakub
          Trajter<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n
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          Mgr. art.
          Jakub
          Trajter<\/h2>\n
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          Education<\/strong><\/h4>\n

          Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava, studio of Prof. Juraj Meli\u0161 (sculpture, objects, installation)<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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          Selected projects<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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          • 2002, 2004 \u2013 Agora Symposium, Vienna<\/li>\n
          • 2009 \u2013 Sculpture and Object XIII, Bratislava; Danube Countries Biennale, Danubiana<\/li>\n
          • 2010 \u2013 Opposes IX, Slovak Institute, Prague<\/li>\n
          • 2010 \u2013 Gathering, Kunsthalle Bratislava<\/li>\n
          • 2010 \u2013 Opposes X, Silencium Gallery, Bratislava (exhibition of the artists’ association)<\/li>\n
          • 2011 \u2013 Moving Average, HotDock Gallery, Bratislava \u2013 solo exhibition<\/li>\n
          • 2011 \u2013 Digital Archeology, Byzant Gallery, Bratislava<\/li>\n
          • 2012 \u2013 Sculptures, Black Swan, Prague \u2013 solo exhibition<\/li>\n
          • 2015 \u2013 Expo Milano \u2013 authorial and co-authorial designs and realizations of objects<\/li>\n
          • 2018, 2021 \u2013 Hommage Peter \u0160trasner, Dev\u00edn, Bratislava<\/li>\n
          • 2019, 2020 \u2013 Art Rooms, Moravany<\/li>\n
          • 2022 \u2013 Human Face \u2013 Freedom or Death, Bratislava Castle<\/li>\n
          • 2022 \u2013 Open Space, Bratislava Castle<\/li>\n
          • 2023 \u2013 Beyond Infinity, Small Design Gallery, New York, USA<\/li>\n
          • 2023 \u2013 Beyond Infinity, Mite Project, Miami, US<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n <\/div>\n
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            Awards and competitions\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n
              \n
            • Martin Benka Prize (Prize of the Fine Arts Fund)<\/li>\n
            • Imrich Karva\u0161 Sculpture \u2013 co-author, 2nd place<\/li>\n
            • Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Bratislava \u2013 co-author, 3rd place.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-344","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nMemorial - Sloboda je va\u0161a<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Memorial - Sloboda je va\u0161a\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/slsp.diorama.link\/pribeh-pamatnika\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Sloboda je va\u0161a\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-11-27T09:40:20+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/slsp.diorama.link\\\/pribeh-pamatnika\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/slsp.diorama.link\\\/pribeh-pamatnika\\\/\",\"name\":\"Memorial - 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