Czechs commemorate destruction of Lidice 80 years ago

The Czech Republic is commemorating the victims of the destruction of Lidice which was razed to the ground by the Nazis on June 10, 1942, in a brutal revenge for the assassination of Nazi governor Reinhard Heydrich. 173 men were shot dead, the women and most of the children were transported to concentration camps. The 80th anniversary of the tragedy is being marked at home and abroad, since several towns and villages worldwide adopted the name Lidice in solidarity with its inhabitants.

The main commemorative event in Lidice will take place on Sunday, June 12. Cardinal Dominik Duka will celebrate a mass for the victims of the massacre on the foundations of St. Martin's Church after which a delegation of parliament and government representatives as well as members of the public will move to the common grave of the Lidice men, to lay flowers and light candles.