Martyrs’ day is our most sacred day. It symbolizes the centuries of sacrifices we have paid to realize and safeguard our self-determination. On the 20th of June, the values and characters of our martyrs’ glow brighter. As it reminds us the long journey we came by and the sacrifice paid, it stimulates our common memories. For everyone, especially youth, it is a great moment to deeply feel and shower by national norms and values that constitutes our national identity.
June 20 was taken on as our Martyr’s day, after the heaviest sacrifices of our freedom fight in the armed struggle was paid during the sixth offensive of 1982. In 1982 the Derg unleashed its biggest military campaign, named the Red Star Campaign, to once and for all extinguish the torch of our freedom. The greatest sacrifices we paid to protect our freedom torch in the sixth offensive made June 20th our martyrs’ day.
Our martyrs’ core values and characters evolved from our peoples’ precious values and norms. “Victory to the Masses!” is the last breath of our martyrs and represents all of their values and characters. Unity, creativity, self-reliance, flexibility, resilience, tolerance, nationalism, dedication, commitment and comradeship are some of the values and characters of our martyrs’.
We praise and commemorate our martyrs by hanging their certificates of martyrdom on walls, giving love to their families and children, lighting candles and bowing heads for remembrance of our martyrs in opening and closing of any events. Every Eritrean family has a martyr they are related to or know. As a tree without roots couldn’t survive, a people without a deep heartfelt relationship with their martyrs could not flourish. Remembrance of our martyrs is a national culture that unites and strengthens our national solidarity.
Candle light vigils are attributed to the sacrifice our martyrs paid in return for the peace we enjoy. On 19th of June, we march through the streets holding a lighted candle, to think of and renew our promises to our martyrs.
Children commemorate martyrs’ day by drawing Eritrean maps on streets, writing phrases like “Glory to our martyrs!” and putting candles over the phrases. Such an expression plays a significant role in our children’s mental and social wellbeing, since it inspires them to study their national history and develop a strong bond with the norms and values of the people. Besides, it ensures the continuous flow of the values and norms among generations.
Dedicating ourselves to the nation our martyrs sacrificed for is our top eternal national priority, not only because it is our national duty as citizens of this beautiful nation, but as the only way to realize our national vision that is outlined in our national charter.
“Our vision is for Eritrea to become a country where peace, justice, democracy and prosperity prevail. Our vision is to eliminate hunger, poverty and illiteracy from Eritrea. Our vision is for Eritrea to preserve its identity and uniqueness, develop commitment to family and community care, and by advancing economically, educationally and technologically, find itself among the developed countries. Our vision is for Eritrean society to be known for harmony among its different sectors, gender equality, love of country, humanity, discipline, hard work and love for knowledge, respect for law and order, independence and inventiveness. Our vision is to perform miracles in peaceful nation-building as we did in the war of liberation.”
Thus, we have to broaden our historical knowledge, share our love with our martyrs’ families and children, socialize with our martyrs’ values and characters, and equip ourselves with knowledge and skills to resiliently work and realize a united, peaceful and prosperous nation.
Eternal Remembrance and Glory to our Martyrs!
Written by: Kidane Shimendi