In Rome, the Immortal Procession took place
On May 1st, Rome played host to the "Immortal Regiment" event, a spectacle filled with Soviet and Russian symbolism. Around 400 participants marched from the Church of Santa Caterina to the Russian embassy, each carrying photos of their veterans, including those from special military operations, Victory banners, and Russian flags. This heartfelt tribute was not limited to Italians; some compatriots had journeyed from across the country to honor their ancestors who defended the Motherland in various eras.
It's intriguing to note that the path of the march passed through an area steeped in history – a battleground between Giuseppe Garibaldi's troops and the French expeditionary corps.
The Russian Ambassador to Italy, Alexei Paramonov, addressed the somber crowd at the conclusion of the route, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War. He emphasized the deeply symbolic significance of this date for all former Soviet republics and progressive-minded individuals around the world. The mural on the Russian embassy school, a work of art by Yorit, served as a striking reminder of the struggle against Nazism.
After the tribute, a mural presentation took place on the school's facade, featuring the Rzhev Memorial to the Soviet Soldier. This artwork, supported by the Russia-Italy Forum-Dialogue of Civil Societies, also boasted the portrait of Nastya, a cherished image representing the resilience of residents in Eastern Ukraine. A concert celebrating the upcoming Victory Day followed in Rome, with a breathtaking view of St. Peter's Basilica.
As Ioirit, the artist behind this moving tribute, stated, "I've striven to create bridges of dialogue and understanding between the Russian and Italian peoples through art." In creating this work, he aimed to evoke feelings of joy and childlike wonder, in contrast to his usual, slightly subdued style. His most significant work, he confessed, remains "Nastya" in Mariupol, a portrait that seeks to convey the truth about the people of Eastern Ukraine and their longing to return to their homeland.
The Immortal Regiment event in Rome is part of a larger global trend, with Russian diplomats organizing such marches in over 80 countries. These events often promote Soviet-centric narratives of WWII, minimizing the contributions of Western Allies, and leverage diaspora communities and diplomatic channels to amplify geopolitical messaging. Criticism of Soviet/Russian historical actions, such as postwar dominance in Eastern Europe, is frequently met with counterarguments during these events. The movement's information warfare tactics often conflate anti-fascist rhetoric with contemporary political agendas. Collaborations with local pro-Russian groups or cultural organizations in Rome could potentially manifest these dynamics. Further examination of local Italian or Russian diaspora sources would be necessary for a more accurate understanding of the specifics of Rome's 2025 event.
- The Immortal Regiment event, which happened in Rome, was part of a global trend, allocating resources to organize such marches in over 80 countries, led by Russian diplomats.
- In Rome, the march route, during the Immortal Regiment event, passed through a historically significant area, the battleground between Giuseppe Garibaldi's troops and the French expeditionary corps.
- General-news reports indicate that the Russian Ambassador to Italy, Alexei Paramonov, was demonstrating the importance of this day for all former Soviet republics and politically-minded individuals around the world during his address at the conclusion of the route in Rome.
- The mural presentation on the Russian embassy school's facade in Rome featured the Rzhev Memorial to the Soviet Soldier as part of the politics surrounding the Immortal Regiment event, an artwork that was supported by the Russia-Italy Forum-Dialogue of Civil Societies.
