After the commemoration for the victims in the tragic nightclub fire in Kochani, some parents outside the Parliament hall did not hide their disappointment with the way the first year anniversary was marked.
The commemorative session in the Parliament was the first of the events that will mark the anniversary of the fire in the Pulse nightclub, which claimed a total of 63 young lives and injured over 200 people. On Saturday, March 14, religious ceremonies will be held in the church of St. Great Martyr George in memory of the victims.
Gabriela Naunova, mother of victimNadicaNaunova, said that the families expected much more from the state after a year of the tragedy.
“We came with the hope that our children would be given true respect, but everything fell apart. A commemoration for 63 children with two pages of text read and that was it. For us, the parents, this is another big wound,” said Naunova, adding that after a year they had been waiting for a more dignified act.
Her husband AleksandarNaunov said that the parents expected at least each child to be mentioned by their name. According to the parent, the institutions were informed about this request, but that did not happen. Instead, as he said, most of the address was dedicated to explanations for the institutions.
“We waited a year for the state to organize a commemoration. It should have happened much earlier. Now it is late, but still important, because it shows that the tragedy is not only a family pain, but also an institutional responsibility. We, the parents, will continue to seek true justice,” said Naunov, adding that the commemoration took place under strong pressure from the families of the victims. If we hadn’t pushed, it probably wouldn’t have even taken place, he underlined.
