The ceremony was attended by the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament, Gordan Jandroković, and Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, accompanied by delegations from Parliament and the Government.
A minute’s silence was observed in honour of all Croatian war veterans and all those who, throughout Croatian history, contributed to the freedom, dignity and survival of the Croatian state.
A prayer for the homeland, as well as for all fallen, deceased and missing Croatian defenders, was led by Jure Bogdan, Military Ordinary of the Republic of Croatia.
Later on Saturday morning, Sabor Speaker Jandroković and PM Plenković attended a Mass for the Homeland at St Mark’s Church, celebrated by Zagreb Archbishop Dražen Kutleša.
Thirty-six years ago, on 30 May 1990, Croatia’s first democratically elected Parliament was constituted. This brought to an end a communist system that had lasted for almost half a century and marked the beginning of a new chapter in Croatian history. Today, that historic date is commemorated as a national holiday – Statehood Day.