On the occasion of the 17th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution, a commemorative plaque was installed on the façade of the hospital and monastery complex of the Hospitaller Order of the Brothers of Saint John of God. It was symbolically placed in situ on SNP Square, the primary gathering place during the November 1989 events of the Velvet Revolution.  

Carved into the stone slab is the quotation: “Only those who have fought for their freedom are worthy of it,” followed by a text adapted into verse by Ján Štrasser: “It was here, in November 1989, that we decided to take our future into our own hands. We decided to put an end to communism and to establish freedom and democracy.“_ _Created by the graphic designer K. Rosmány, two stone slabs above the plaque form the letter V, a symbol is derived from the logo – or visual identity – of the Public Against Violence movement. The design also features a paved strip in the asphalt pavement that incorporates a ground-mounted light apprising passersby to the presence of the commemorative plaque. 

Founded in 1989, Public Against Violence was a political movement that assumed the task of drafting demands for the democratisation of the country, organised civic protests in support of a democratic state, and initiated the events of the Velvet Revolution that led to the overthrow of the communist regime.  

Other commemorative plaques across the city also mark the events of the Velvet Revolution, including on the building of the Slovak Art Forum, the main building of Comenius University on Šafárik Square, and the façade of the current Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Slovak Republic at 12 Dobrovičova Street. 

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Research status as of 22. 01. 2026.