Soldiers celebrating Armed Forces Day with people

Ljubljana, 13 May - Slovenian Armed Forces (SAF) Day was celebrated on Saturday, with the country remembering the day in 1991 when the first generation of Slovenian conscripts started training. A series of dynamic demonstrations were staged by soldiers around Stožice Arena in Ljubljana in the morning was followed by a ceremony and a concert in the evening.

Ljubljana
The Slovenian Armed Forces (SAF) staged a number of demonstrations to mark SAF Day.
Photo: Daniel Novakovič/STA

Ljubljana
President Nataša Pirc Musar talking to the press on Slovenian Armed Forces Day.
Photo: Daniel Novakovič/STA

Ljubljana
The Slovenian Armed Forces (SAF) staged a number of demonstrations to mark SAF Day.
Photo: Daniel Novakovič/STA

Ljubljana
The Slovenian Armed Forces (SAF) stages a number of demonstrations to mark SAF Day.
Photo: Daniel Novakovič/STA

Ljubljana
The Slovenian Armed Forces (SAF) staged a number of demonstrations to mark SAF Day.
Photo: Daniel Novakovič/STA

Ljubljana, Arena Stožice.
Prireditev ob dnevu Slovenske vojske, na kateri so predstavili opremo in enote Slovenske vojske, obiskovalci pa so se lahko preizkusili v vojaških veščinah.
Predsednica republike Nataša Pirc Musar.
Foto: Daniel Novakovič/STA

Ljubljana
President Nataša Pirc Musar attends the event marking Slovenian Armed Forces Day.
Photo: Daniel Novakovič/STA

Ljubljana
Members of the Slovenian Armed Forces
Photo: Bor Slana/STA
File photo

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Addressing the evening ceremony, President and the Supreme Commander of the SAF Nataša Pirc Musar expressed gratitude to the members of Slovenian armed forces for their dedication and professionalism.

She expressed satisfaction that the SAF Day was marked with an even featuring a number of demonstrations for the public. Talking to the press earlier in the day, she said that she had attended a number of SAF demonstrations in the past, "but I've never seen so much technology in one place".

In her evening address, she stressed "the importance of openness of a military organisation. I find it very important that stronger ties begin to form, as well as understanding and fondness, between the military and the society".

Moreover, "we must not forget the challenging security situation we find ourselves in and what is taking place in Europe, just 600 kilometres from Slovenian border," the president said.

Defence Minister Marjan Šarec highlighted in his address the investments underway to modernise the SAF, triggered in part by the challenging security situation in Europe. "We've come to realise over the course of the past year how fragile peace is, and illusions of a lasting peace have been destroyed."

A new investment cycle is underway in the SAF after years if stagnation, he said, adding that investments were also being made in research and development to ensure that the SAF are modern and forward-facing forces.

The minister also underlined that SAF members have been and will remain willing to help the people of Slovenia, when in need. "The role of the military in the protection and rescue system is invaluable."

Maj-Gen Robert Glavaš, chief of the general staff, also addressed the evening ceremony, focusing on measures for the modernisation of the SAF, as well as growing its ranks.

"We are putting a lot of effort into providing a stable and undisturbed development of a modern, highly combat-capable and technologically equipped military," said Glavaš, also expressing satisfaction with recent legislative changes relaxing hiring requirements.

The programme started in the morning with children's workshops where kids learnt how to mask their faces, and tried their hand at obstacle courses and inflatable games.

This was followed by presentation of more than 20 units and 50 professions within the forces to try to make people interested in joining their ranks.

Visitors got an opportunity to learn about military training and education and about job requirements. They were also able to take a ride in APCs, or try shooting, resuscitation, martial arts, etc.

As part of the dynamic demonstrations by a specialised military police unit, an aviation unit and a naval unit, the visitors could see liaison operations, a vertical manoeuvre, the deployment of a light anti-aircraft Stinger missile system, a facility blockade, aerial surveillance and care, and the extraction of a casualty.

Speaking to the press earlier this week, Šarec said this was the army's and ministry's gift to the people, arguing the army must be among the people and serve them.

The day ended with a concert by the SAF's Big Band and several guests, including rock band Siddharta's frontman Tomi Meglič, pop singer Amaya, and pop act Bepop. The ministry has distributed as many as 10,000 free tickets for the concert.

May 13, 2023, 19:23 mas/eho/lte/mab/mas