In an address held as part of open day at the Presidential Palace to mark the holiday, Pahor highlighted the need for reconciliation and overcoming of differences regarding events from more than 70 years ago. He said that standing united was the only way forward.

In addition to the Partisan resistance against the occupying forces, Pahor said that events during World War II featured a painful chapter of revolutionary and counter-revolutionary violence in Slovenia ending in summary killings of suspected collaborators after the war. This has been left in our memory, he said.

"I'm convinced that we can overcome this divide. After all, we have an important experience in this area, as we, Slovenians, could not have established our own country if we did not show unity during the independence period," he said.

Also highlighting the need for unity today was Prime Minister Miro Cerar, who in his holiday message said that "today's holiday should serve as a sign that united, Slovenians can achieve what appears impossible".

Praising the resistance against the occupying forces as a fight for the survival of the nation, Cerar said that it was time to turn our attention to the future. "We need to heal the wounds of the past and together join forces to create the future."

A number of events were held around Slovenia today to mark Resistance Day. A ceremony was held in the city of Ptuj with the president of the WWII Veterans' Association Tit Turnšek delivering the keynote.

The main national ceremony was held in Trbovlje already last night, with parliamentary Speaker Milan Brglez as the keynote speaker. In his address, Brglez stressed that freedom was just a given but had been fought for and that with freedom came responsibility.

"The 20th century saw some of the most cruel violations of human rights and some of the biggest milestones in their protection. This...confirms the power of ideas and visions and gives courage to all of us who are striving for mutual respect and peace between people, nations and in the world," the speaker said.