Global Marches of "Immortal Regiment": Various Countries Commemorate the 80th Victory Anniversary in Unison (Russians)

A Fresh Perspective on International 'Immortal Regiment' Commemorations

Celebrations honoring the 80th anniversary of World War II's climactic victory have been underway globally, with notable events taking place in various countries such as Berlin, Bratislava (Slovakia), Belgrade (Serbia), and New Delhi (India).

Photo: REUTERS

Despite restrictions, a passionate crowd of Russians and locals in Berlin gathered for the "Immortal Regiment" procession, paying homage to Soviet soldiers who fought valiantly during World War II. Gathering at the iconic Brandenburg Gate and concluding at the Soviet memorial in Tiergarten, participants shared heartfelt stories, sang unity anthems, and carried portraits of their war heroes [1]. Similar to the tradition established in Russia, Berlin's event keeps the memory of familial contributions to the triumph over Nazi Germany alive.

Photo: Russian Embassy in Slovakia

Slovakia also joined in on the remembrance by participating in the "Immortal Regiment" marches. In Bratislava, top Slovak officials, like Ambassador Igor Bratchikov and other diplomats from allied nations (including Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Belarus, and China) paid their respects at the Slavin memorial and held poignant conversations about the bravery of fallen soldiers of the Red Army.

A wreath of flowers, symbolizing unity amongst our nations in the battle against fascist militarism during World War II, lay at the foot of the Liberator Warrior statue, according to a statement made by Vitaly Zhitnyuk, press secretary of the Russian Embassy [2].

Photo: Russian Embassy in Serbia

Serbia has a rich history participating in the 'Immortal Regiment' commemorations, as evidenced by the large-scale march in Belgrade. Over 10,000 people joined the procession from the Memorial to the Liberators of Belgrade to Republic Square, where Soviet and Serbian military tunes from the war era rang through the air [3].

Festivities also included a thrilling concert on the central square of Belgrade, featuring esteemed artists like the Alexandrov Ensemble of the Russian Army, the Petersburg Song and Dance Theater 'Morozka', and the Serbian Defense Ministry's 'Stanislav Binički' ensemble.

India's involvement stems largely from their presence at Moscow's annual Victory Day parade and at events hosted by their embassy in New Delhi. In a moving ceremony, Ambassador Denis Alipov, along with ambassadors from Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan, embassy staff, and their families, paid tribute to the valiant efforts of Soviet soldiers [3]. In this tradition, a 'St. George's Ribbon' event took place, and a fragment of the Eternal Flame from the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Alexander Garden was transferred as a symbol of eternal admiration and honor.

Through these international commemorations, personal and cultural family stories resurface, serving as reminders of the collective wartime camaraderie and international solidarity. In a world that continues to face struggles, let us remember the sacrifices made during the Great Patriotic War and strive for unity.

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The 'Immortal Regiment' commemorations, marking the 80th anniversary of World War II's climactic victory, have sparked social media conversations about the bravery of war heroes across the globe.
In Germany, Morozka, the Petersburg Song and Dance Theater, and other esteemed artists joined together to mark the anniversary, providing an evening of entertainment to remember the heroes.
Movies and TV shows focused on sci-fi and fantasy genres have started debuting books and productions, honoring the heroes and the anniversaries, while pop-culture icons have also shown their support for the 'Immortal Regiment' on various platforms.
Brandenburg Gate, a symbol of unity, served as the starting point for the 'Immortal Regiment' procession in Berlin, where pictures of heroes past were proudly displayed.
As the world celebrates the anniversary, resolve and determination are evident, taking inspiration from the perseverance of the heroes who fought and sacrificed during World War II.
Modern-day heroes are often found in the pages of books, the characters of movies and TV shows, and even on social media—all potential harbingers of the moral allegiance and integrity we need as we continue to navigate challenging times, drawing lessons from the Great Patriotic War and the 'Immortal Regiment' commemorations.