Vukovar Remembrance Procession
Vukovar Remembrance Procession- 18.11.2026. - 18.11.2026.
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Marking 35 Years of Heroic Defense – The Remembrance Procession to Be Led by Those Who Worked Miracles Under Shellfire
This year marks the landmark 35th anniversary of the fall of Vukovar’s heroic defense, and the hero city is preparing to welcome more than 100,000 pilgrims from across Croatia and the world on Wednesday, November 18. Held under the traditional slogan "Vukovar – A Place of Special Homeland Piety," this year's commemoration sends a powerful message of courage, sacrifice, and freedom, remembering the autumn of 1991 that forever changed the course of Croatian history.
Special Honor for the Heroes in White
What makes this year's Remembrance Procession exceptionally emotional and historically significant is the decision that, alongside the families of the killed and missing, it will be led by the staff of the Vukovar War Hospital from 1991.
Doctors, nurses, technicians, and support staff—who saved thousands of lives in impossible conditions, under relentless shelling, and deep inside hospital basements—will proudly march at the very front of the massive column this year. The City of Vukovar emphasizes that the frontline defenders and the hospital team were the "two lungs" of Vukovar's defense, making this milestone anniversary the perfect moment for the homeland to bow to them once again.
Three Key Highlights of This Year's Commemoration:
- A 5.5-Kilometer March of Pride: The traditional Way of the Cross once again connects the National Memorial Hospital "Dr. Juraj Njavro" with the Memorial Cemetery of the Victims of the Homeland War. This represents 5.5 kilometers of dignified, silent walking that unites the entire nation every year.
- The "River of Light" on the Danube: One of the most visually spectacular and poignant moments will take place at dusk, when thousands of lighted lanterns will be released down the Danube River in memory of the killed and missing defenders and civilians whose bodies ended up there.
- A Bell for Vukovar Across the Country: Exactly at 6:11 PM, the bells of every church in the Republic of Croatia will ring in unison, turning the entire country into one grand place of remembrance.
Simultaneous Remembrance for Škabrnja
On November 18, Croatia remembers the Ravni Kotari village of Škabrnja with equal piety, as it also marks its 35th anniversary of tragic suffering. A special significance is given to this year's commemoration in Škabrnja by the newly opened Memorial Center, which permanently preserves the memory of 88 local victims through a modern memorial room.
Even after three and a half decades, November 18 remains the day when all divisions in Croatia cease. Yet, the heaviest burden is still carried by the families who, despite the passage of time, tirelessly search for answers regarding the fate of around 300 missing women and men of Vukovar.
Therefore, wherever you find yourself this Wednesday, November 18 – pause for a moment. Light a candle in the window of your home and pay tribute to the victims of Vukovar and Škabrnja. May the silent light of lanterns across Croatia stand as a message that their courage will never be forgotten.
If you are not able to personally walk the streets of Vukovar this year, you can follow the atmosphere from the city of heroes and the proud symbol of Croatian unity in real time via our camera, which transmits images 24 hours a day with a view of the magnificent Vukovar Water Tower.
