The notorious statue of Josip Broz Tito, the Yugoslav communist autocrat, has been left headless. In the traditionally “red” Velenje, where local authorities consider the figure and work of the dictator as part of “cultural and historical heritage,” the incident has caused considerable displeasure.
The Municipality of Velenje announced that the police have already apprehended the perpetrator and will carry out appropriate procedures against him. The municipal officials, however, proclaim that they will ensure the restoration of Tito’s head and the return to its original state as soon as possible.
The socialist mayor Peter Dermol has therefore called a press conference. They also stated that they “strongly condemn” the act. As they say, there is no room in their city for “vandalism” and attacks on “cultural and historical heritage.”
Initiatives to Remove the Dictator from Public Space
protests have been ongoing in Velenje for some time calling for the removal of Tito’s statue and other monuments from the dark period of Slovenian history. Tito is not associated solely with communism, which in itself is based on violations of human rights, but also with war crimes that took place during and after the war. Part of the Slovenian public and politics (left of center) is still unwilling to accept this, as evidenced by the reluctance to equally condemn all three historical totalitarian regimes: Nazism, fascism, and communism.This is precisely why protests are being held in Velenje, with the goal of also bringing Velenje closer to the democratic world and European values.
The next rally will take place on December 13, 2025, at 11 a.m. It will be the last rally of this year.
Ž. K.
