On May 9, the whole of Russia will celebrate the Victory Day, which marks the 73^rd anniversary since the victory over fascism in the Great Patriotic War (1941 – 1945). To this day, it remains one of the most significant and touching holidays not only in Russia, but also in the former Soviet republics, as well as in many European countries. The Immortal Regiment will walk along the streets of Russian cities, the Victory Parade will march in the Red Square, and fireworks will be set off to the sky.
The History of Victory
In 1941, the most destructive and major war in the history of mankind began to last for 1,418 days. During this time, Russia lost more than 26 million people: soldiers and civilians were killed, executed and starved, perished in captivity and from wounds, and gone missing. In April 1945, the victorious Berlin campaign turned to be the final stage of the Great Patriotic War. In spite of the fact that the Reichstag was taken down on May 2, the Nazi troops resisted for another week. Only on May 8 the German headquarters signed an act of capitulation. Because of the difference in time zones in Russia, the Victory Day fell on May 9 in this country.
Attributes of the Holiday
The minute of silence, the ceremony of laying wreaths and flowers, St. George ribbons - without all these, there is no Victory Day. In Moscow, wreaths are traditionally laid to the Unknown Soldier’s Tomb in the Alexander Garden next to Kremlin. Afterwards, a moment of silence is offered as a tribute to the war victims.
Victory Day 2018 in Moscow
The Victory Day is celebrated in the capital city of Russia a truly national holiday. In the morning, a retro train will depart from the Riga Train Station to take war veterans around the sights of Moscow. Large Moscow parks will engages their visitors in special holiday programs with quests, master classes and concerts. For example, a costume disco to the accompaniment of retro military songs will unfold in the Catherine’s Park, and fun sports contests will take place in the Perovsky Park. In Babushkinsky Garden there will appear a memorial wall, on which all comers can write the names of their relatives who fought against the Nazi in World War 2. A quest on the events of the pivotal Kursk Battle will be arranged in the Tagansky Park. The Moscow Zoo will not be left aside: it will offer interactive excursions that will be conducted by the zoo animals themselves. The Victory Parade will be broadcast on screens arranged in numerous venues of Moscow.
The Immortal Regiment
Though a relatively young action, the Immortal Regiment has already become traditional for many cities of the world that honor the Victory Day. Thousands of people walk together along the main streets of the city, carrying photographs of their relatives who fought for the Victory over fascism: veterans, partisans, rear workers, and prisoners of war. The purpose of the action is to preserve every family’s the personal memory about the Great Patriotic War. In Moscow, the Immortal Regiment will start marching from the square of the Belorussian Train Station.
Festive Fireworks
The Victory Day celebrations are traditionally crowned with firework displays, which will start at 10 pm. In 2018, the festive salute can be observed from 15 venues located in different parts of Moscow: the Gorky Park and Tagansky Park, Sokolniki and Izmailovsky Park, Vorontsovsky Park and Kuzminki. Each of the parks has prepared its own pyrotechnic show scenario.