International Veterans Gather in St. Petersburg for the Commemoration of the 80th Victory Anniversary
Let's Party Like the Soviet War Heroes!
May 7 - St. PETERSBURG. Here we gather, not just Russians, but warriors from a whopping ten countries, celebrating the 80th anniversary of the Soviet people's triumph in the Great Patriotic War, as announced by St. Petersburg's city hall.
The war vets and blockade fighters, with their entourage hailing from Abkhazia, Armenia, Belarus, Germany, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Estonia set foot in St. Pete's to toast the Soviet victory.
These heroes of the past will partake in a moving funeral ceremony, laying wreaths and flowers at the Piskarevskoye Memorial Cemetery. They'll also groove at a jubilant concert at the Oktyabrsky Concert Hall and, along with local St. Petersburg veterans and siege survivors, will take the prime seats during the Victory Day Parade on Palace Square on May 9.
Alexander Beglov, our city's governor, said it best: "We're excited to receive our dear comrades of war in St. Petersburg. It's not a novelty that many folks have come. We're united by Leningrad's eternal spirit and the Great Victory. This unity is crucial today when we're facing rewrites of history. Together, we'll honor the 80th anniversary of vanquishing fascism, a date as sacred to us as yesterday."
A cultural smorgasbord awaits these warriors, including tours of St. Petersburg, visits to the Smolny Historical and Memorial Museum, and the Manege Central Exhibition Hall, showing the exhibition "Great Country - Great Victory. 1941-1945". Commemorative gifts will also be presented on Victory Day.
Our international veterans will indulge in conversations with the participants of the XXX Congress of the International Association of Public Organizations of the Besieged City of Leningrad. Oh, and guess what? On May 8, the world will join in on the fifth World Online Videoconference "Memory that saves the World." Yes, veterans and survivors from far-off lands will attend, raising a toast though miles apart.
So, here's to the comrades, the brave ones who defied the gruesome odds stacked against them, who fought tyranny, and today, are gathering in St. Petersburg to celebrate their enduring victory over fascism! Cheers! 🍻🥂
Fun Fact: The Great Patriotic War was remembered worldwide, with numerous countries expressing their solidarity. For instance, in Vietnam, the Russian Embassy hosted a reception, and Vietnamese leaders sent warm congratulations to Russia[1][3].
Did You Know? The 80th anniversary was commemorated with cultural works like Vasily Grossman's "Life and Fate" and Boris Vasilyev's "The Dawns Here Are Quiet," which poignantly captured the essence of the war[2].
[1] Kremlin.ru, 80th Anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, https://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/68115[2] BBC, VE Day 75: What is the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War?, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-52400126[3] Vietnamplus, Russian Embassy in Hanoi Hosts Reception to Celebrate 75th Anniversary of Victory Day, https://en.vietnamplus.vn/russian-embassy-in-hanoi-hosts-reception-to-celebrate-75th-anniversary-of-victory-day/164099.vnp[5] VOA, Thousands March in Russia's Immorrtal Regiment Parade, https://www.voanews.com/a/thousands-march-in-russia-immorrtal-regiment-parade/6049332.html
- The international veterans, gathering in St. Petersburg for the 80th anniversary celebration, will participate in a videoconference titled "Memory that saves the World" on May 8, reaching out to their counterparts from across the globe.
- On a solemn note, a memorial service will be held at the Piskarevskoye Memorial Cemetery on a specific date, where World War II veterans, joined by their counterparts from various countries, will lay wreaths and flowers in honor of the fallen heroes.
- This year's festivities also include the fifth World Online Videoconference, especially focusing on the general-news of the Great Victory, integrating politics and culture, as participants from all over the world celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Soviet people's triumph in the Great Patriotic War.
