Remembrance Day throughout the world honors those who fought in wars to protect the future of their country, and is especially meaningful for those whose family members participated. This is what Epoch Time reporters from Czech Republic to Sweden discovered when they asked locals: “What does your country’s Remembrance Day mean to you?”
Eduardo Rosas, 54, Engineer
In my country, we have the “Day of 33” to remember people who, for freedom, began the war in Uruguay. The day of 33 was April 19, 1925. For me, April 19 is the most important date, because it means the union of the people, from different economic and social positions, with the most important objective that somebody can have—to obtain freedom.
Note: The Treinta y Tres Orientales (33 Orientals) began an insurrection for the independence of Oriental Province, a historical territory encompassing modern Uruguay. The interviewee is a direct descendant of Jose Rosas who was one of the 33.
Juan Alvarez, 77, Retired Bank Manager
In Spain, the day has not been traditionally dedicated to remember all those who died in the war, but in fact it has been dedicated to remember those who served on the winning side in the civil war. And nobody made any tribute to the republican soldiers who were the ones to lose the war. Just after the war in 1939, the winners governed as a dictatorship till 1975 so you can just imagine why this was so. Nowadays this is under revision so that all soldiers can be honored and not only the winners.
Ilona Green, 42, Shop Assistant
For me, it means we commemorate all those who bravely fought so that we can have a better life today, and who didn’t hesitate to lay down their lives for that.
Dulcie Kerr, 78, Retired Clerk
It means everything, because my father was in the first world war and as a member of the 4th Light Horse [Brigade] he was in the historical battle of Beersheba. Happy memories of ANZAC Day [Australian and New Zealand Army Corp] were of him marching [in the annual street parade] and then playing in the concert that followed, the accordion, a real Aussie bushman.
Note: Battle of Beersheba took place in Turkey on Oct. 31, 1917. ANZAC Day, April 25, marks the first major military action, at Gallipoli, fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during World War I. Nov. 11, is dedicated to Australians, who died as a result of war.
Jan-Åke Sallermo, 63, Sailor
What really means a lot to me is All Saints Day. Among relatives, friends, and loved ones who passed away, there are many people who meant a lot to me, and who influenced the direction of my life. It was good for me, and when I look back on the whole, it is clear to me.
Note: All Saints Day is a Christian holiday celebrated in memory of the church’s saints. Many Swedes go to relatives’ graves where they place candles and flowers.
Raquel Mesones Bardales, 59, Professor of Primary Education
One day in my country there was a terrorist attack at the hands of “Sendero Luminoso”, in Tarata Street, Miraflores District. It was terrible; many people were affected—there were deaths and injuries; the blast was such that the people passing nearby were also affected. I have a friend who lived in a building of the attack, and she was there that day. She was pregnant and was injured physically and emotionally, and following the attack her son was autistic. The traumatic damage also influenced her third child, since he was born with language problems.
Martin Schusznix, 33, Fast-food Restaurant Staff
For me, the important date is November 1989 [Velvet Revolution] and then the division of Czechoslovakia. I also welcomed the establishment of the independent Slovak Republic. Until 1989, Slovakia was a socialist country, but after the revolution, I could travel abroad unrestricted and live as a free person—unlike my grandfather, who for his whole life couldn’t ever meet with his own brother, who lived in Western Germany at the time.
Janice Wall, Retired
We’re losing a lot of young people now, and we need to remember those don’t we, in Afghanistan and all the wars that are going on now. So there’s young people to remember that have lost their lives, which is very tragic really, isn’t it?
Raluca Pinzari, 25, English Teacher
As an English teacher, I remember that at the beginning of my didactic career I Googled some events to discuss with my students. They were freshmen. And they had to tell me what they understood about celebrating this particular day: Remembrance Day or Poppy Day. I know that that day I wore a poppy pinned in my coat. The poppy symbolized the respect and remembrance of past sufferance.
Look for the Global Q&A column every week. Epoch Times correspondents interview people around the world to learn about their lives and perspectives on local and global realities. Next week’s global question: “When you think of your childhood, what is your most magical memory?”
