The central commemoration observing Croatia's Anti-Fascist Struggle Day began in Brezovica Forest near Sisak on Wednesday morning with wreath-laying ceremonies at the monument erected in tribute to the first 79-strong Partisan Unit which was established in that forest on 22 June 1941 under the command of Vladimir Janic Capo.
Today's commemoration, organised under the auspices of the Croatian President, the Prime Minister, Sisak County and the Anti-Fascist Fighters' Association, marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the first anti-Fascist armed unit in Croatia and in the occupied parts of Europe as well as the 66th anniversary of the victory over fascism.
Wreaths were laid by President Ivo Josipovic, Parliament Deputy Speaker Josip Friscic and Foreign Minister Gordan Jandrokovic as Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor's envoys and other delegations, including a delegation led by Ukrainian Ambassador Oleksandr Levchenko.
Of 79 fighters who set up the first Partisan unit, 38 survived the war. A majority of that unit's members were people of from a larger area of Sisak.
