As an expression of respect for one of the greatest personalities of modern Slovak history, 4 May, the anniversary of the death of Milan Rastislav Stefanik, is a commemorative day in Slovakia. The life of this successful diplomat, statesman, soldier, scientist, astronomer and traveller, one of the founders of the common state of Czechs and Slovaks - ended on 4 May 1919 in a tragic plane crash while landing near Bratislava. Today (May 4) marks the 104th anniversary of this tragedy. On the eve of the anniversary of the tragic death of General Milan Rastislav Štefánik, he was commemorated in his native region, in the West of Slovakia. The commemoration culminated in the traditional lighting of beacons on the four sides of the Bradlo memorial, where Štefánik is buried. Pascal Le Deunff, Ambassador of the French Republic, also attended the commemoration ceremony. "I am both honoured and touched to be able to honour this hero, both Slovak and French, who unites our two nations," said the ambassador.
Source: TASR
