Russia on the eve of the 72nd anniversary of the victory over fascism

(Baonghean) - On the journey through the endless birch forests of Russia during the 72nd Anniversary of the Victory Day over Fascism (May 9, 1945 - 2017), we - the group of cadres and reporters of Nghe An Newspaper often encountered touching images when Russian people were taking care of small memorials in the farm areas and small towns. In each place, the eternal flame was lit next to the red roses solemnly paying tribute to the worker-peasant warriors who fell in the Great Patriotic War.

Victory Day celebrations on Palace Square - Sankt Petersburg.

We were in the land of the White Birch just as Russia was preparing for the 72nd Anniversary of Victory Day when Nazi Germany surrendered to the Soviet Union in World War II (May 9, 1945 - 2017).

As the anniversary approaches, Red Square and other spaces around the Kremlin - Moscow are temporarily closed to visitors to prepare for the traditional large-scale parade with 28 powerful parading units. Only the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with its eternal flame is opened for the endless stream of veterans from all over Russia and the former Soviet Union countries to lay flowers in memory of their comrades.

Many other locations across Russia also held activities to celebrate Victory Day. The Museum of the Great Patriotic War 1941 - 1945 in Victory Park on Poklonnaya Hill in the west of Moscow was open continuously, welcoming thousands of visitors every day. Many Soviet Red Army veterans, including old generals, exclaimed when they learned that we were from Vietnam and expressed their warm feelings with firm handshakes, repeatedly calling out “Vietnam! Vietnam...”, and taking time to take many souvenir photos with us.

The conversation of the Russian army veteran - Colonel D. Anatoly shared: “The annual Victory Day on May 9th has now become the biggest festival of the people and country of Russia. I belong to the next generation of soldiers who participated in that great patriotic war, but I still always feel the painful glory of our nation to have victory. I know, the Vietnamese people are the same, they have suffered many losses to win, to have peace like today...”. The victory on May 9th, 1945 strongly promoted the national liberation movement all over the world. At the Museum of the Patriotic War 1941 - 1945 in Moscow, there are exhibitions about the revolutionary movement in various countries; in which Vietnam is also given a prominent position.

Eternal flame in Moscow's Victory Park

Accompanying us on the journeys from Moscow to Suzdal, Vladimir..., Mr. V. Salav, a Russian driver, expressed his great affection for the Vietnamese people, that through this trip with us, we felt closer and wanted to have a chance to travel to Vietnam. He excitedly expressed: The victory in the war of 1941 - 1945 is not only the pride of Russia but also of the whole peace-loving world. He is a citizen born and raised through two periods - the Soviet Union and the present-day Russian Federation - but the victory over fascism for Russian people like him always has a full meaning, a forever respect...

Indeed, all over the streets of Moscow, Saint Petersburg and along the routes connecting Russian cities, on signs, at bus stops, and at public places, flags, banners, and images of a time of fighting and victory of a generation of workers, peasants, and soldiers of the Soviet Union are filled with.

At a small bakery next to the Catherine II Palace in Saint Petersburg, which the owner had set up as a small exhibition space for Victory Day, we were shown letters written by Red Army soldiers between battles to their families, pieces of bread collected from the trenches, and even newspapers reporting on the war printed 72 years ago.

On May 6, we were present at the Palace Square (Winter) - the central square of Saint Petersburg, where a large and solemn celebration will take place. Besides the large military band of all branches practicing day and night, the sports teams gathered to participate in competitions, the public works units urgently installed stages, stands... Ms. Ianna - our tour guide during the visit to the Winter Palace, born and raised in Saint Petersburg, said that every year on Victory Day, May 9, although there is no large parade like in the capital Moscow, the activities on the Palace Square here are always crowded with people and tourists waiting with great pride and emotion...

Nghe An Newspaper reporter talked with Colonel D. Anatoly at the War Museum in Moscow (Russia).

According to information from Russian authorities announced to the press, the parade on Red Square on May 9 of the Russian armed forces will include a large contingent of military cadets, soldiers from many different branches of the armed forces from the Western Military District to the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, from the National Guard to the Federal Security Forces. Especially the display of military equipment with a series of the most advanced weapons technology...

But above all, what is expected from the great significance of this anniversary in Russia every year is to once again affirm humanity's love of peace and the price of victory. And the lessons of the anti-fascist war over the past 72 years still have practical significance for the contemporary world. Fortunately, being in Russia these days, we understand that better...

PV Group

(E-mail from Russia)