Victory Day in London

By New Worker correspondent

MILLIONS of Russians took to the streets on Monday to celebrate Victory Day and the surrender of the Third Reich on 9th May 1945. Every year, the Russian Federation celebrates the defeat of Nazi Germany with parades and processions across the country including Moscow, where a massive parade in the capital showcased modern Russia’s military might. Similar tributes to the millions of Soviet soldiers and citizens who died in the struggle to defeat the Nazis in the Second World War were held in much of the former Soviet Union, western Europe and the rest of the world.
    Victory Day is also celebrated in London and in the past veterans, diplomats and local dignitaries joined the capital’s Russian community at a ceremony that’s held every year at the Soviet War Memorial in the shadow of the Imperial War Museum in south London.
    It was sadly different this year. Fearing disruption by Ukrainian fascists and their supporters the official ceremony was called off by the Soviet Memorial Trust but informal tributes were made throughout the day by Russian ex-pats and members of the labour movement that have always supported the event at the memorial.
    Apparently an attempt by pro Ukraine elements was made to sabotage the event by creating an incident in the Imperial War Museum causing it to be evacuated and a man with a Ukraine flag and an anti-communist placard was seen being escorted away by the police.
    The Russian ambassador, Andrei Kelin, led the wreath laying in the morning, followed by diplomats from other former Soviet republics and representatives of the Russian ex-pat community. Others arrived later including NCP leader Andy Brooks, who laid a floral tribute on behalf of the Party alongside the others at lunchtime.

Victory Day: We remember them

at the Errol airfield monument

By New Worker correspondent

The Russian ex-pat community has long marked Victory Day for solemn ceremonies in London and other parts of the UK. Though this year’s commemorations were sadly muted due to the ongoing coronavirus restrictions the sacrifice of the millions who gave their lives in the struggle against the Nazis in the Second World War was not forgotten at events in London and northern Scotland.
    In Scotland a ceremony was held on the site of a secret air-base where Soviet pilots and crews were trained to fly British military transports destined for the eastern front.
    Russian diplomats and Scottish officials laid wreaths at the Soviet monument erected in 2020 on the site of the old Errol airfield located near the cities of Perth and Dundee. A huge red stone was shipped from Russia as a gift to mark the co-operation between the Soviet airmen and the RAF during the Second World War.
    The block of rare crimson quartzite was mined in Karelia in the north west of Russia. It is the same type of stone with which the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by the wall of the Moscow Kremlin is lined.
    Back in London the Russian ambassador along with diplomats from other former Soviet republics took part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Soviet War Memorial in south London on 9th May.
    The commemorative event in the gardens of the Imperial War Museum was attended by Southwark mayor Sasek Hargrove and Russian Ambassador Andrey Kelin along with diplomats from the embassies of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The ceremony was organised by the Soviet Military Memorial Foundation with the support of the Russian House in London (Rossotrudnichestvo).
    Later that day members of London’s Russian community took part in a modest lockdown compliant “Immortal Regiment” and St George’s Ribbon commemoration held in Trafalgar Sqaure.

 

Victory Day in London

By New Worker correspondent

Victory Day is a public holiday in Russia and most of the former Soviet republics, and in the past members of the Russian ex-pat community have traditionally joined the ceremony that’s held every year at the Soviet War Memorial in the shadow of the Imperial War Museum in south London.

This year the Soviet War Memorial Trust had been planning a large-scale event to mark the 75th anniversary of the Allied Victory over Nazi Germany but that was called off because of the coronavirus crisis. It was replaced with a solemn diplomatic ceremony that was held last Saturday to honour all those who fell in the struggle to defeat Nazi Germany in the Second World War. 

Ambassadors representing seven countries of the former USSR – Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzia, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan – gathered for the event organised by the Soviet War Memorial Trust (SWMT). Following the laying of wreaths, the Russian Ambassador delivered a short address, a silence was observed and the Exhortation was recited. Ralph Gibson laid a wreath on behalf of the SWMT and all supporters of the Memorial who could not be present due to the current restrictions. The event was organised in consultation with the Mayor of Southwark's office, the Metropolitan Police, and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

The Russian Ambassador, Andrei Kelin, noted the decisive contribution to victory made by the Soviet Union: but at a tremendous cost – 27 million Soviet people perished, and thousands of cities, towns and villages were destroyed. He also paid tribute to all those who served in the Arctic Convoys that supplied essential supplies to the Soviet Union and all Russia’s allies in the anti-Hitler coalition. “We pay tribute to everyone who died in fighting for the freedom of humanity. We will always remember and be forever grateful to the veterans of World War Two who brought us peace while selflessly fighting the enemy,” he said.

Anne, the Princess Royal, who had intended to be present, sent a message to the participants: “It is vital that we recognise the incredible sacrifice made by the peoples of the former Soviet Union. Few people fought more bravely, or suffered more grievously for the price of victory.”

The SWMT Chair Philip Matthews drew attention, in his address to the ambassadors, to the Soviet prisoners-of-war who died in the Channel Islands who were used by the Nazi occupiers as slave labour. He noted that the Islands mark 9^th May as their liberation day.

Saturday's ceremony marked the 21st anniversary of the unveiling in 1999 of the Soviet War Memorial, located in Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park that surrounds the Imperial War Museum in Southwark. Funded by public subscription in Britain and the Russian Federation, the Memorial has become a focal point for people from all over the former USSR and the UK.

Victory Day in London

Andy Brooks pays tribute to the fallen

In the Morning…

by New Worker correspondent

MILLIONS of Russians took to the streets last week to celebrate Victory Day and the surrender of the Third Reich on 9th May 1945. Every year, the Russian Federation celebrates the defeat of Nazi Germany with parades and processions across the country including Moscow, where a massive parade in the capital showcased modern Russia’s military might.

Similar tributes to the millions of Soviet soldiers and citizens who died in the struggle to defeat the Nazis in the Second World War were held in much of the former Soviet Union, western Europe and the rest of the world.

In London, New Communist Party leader Andy Brooks joined veterans, diplomats and local dignitaries at the ceremony that’s held every year at the Soviet War Memorial in the shadow of the Imperial War Museum in south London.

Hundreds of people, including many from the Russian community in London, gathered around the Memorial in Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park in Southwark on Thursday 9th May to mark the 74^th anniversary of the Allied victory over fascism in 1945.

British, Soviet and Norwegian war veterans marched to the monument to start the act of remembrance that was opened by Catherine Rose, the Mayor of Southwark, and addressed by Philip Matthews from the Soviet Memorial Trust Fund and Russian Ambassador Alexander Yakovenko.

This was followed by the laying of floral tributes by Southwark councillors, diplomats from the countries of the former Soviet Union, British and Soviet veterans, and friendship associations.

Officials from the Marx Memorial Library, the NCP and other communist movements laid their wreaths and flowers at the memorial that was unveiled on 9th May 1999. This was followed by the solemn Soviet lament, The Final Chord, sung by the choir of the Russian Embassy school in London, the Last Post and two minutes silence to remember those who gave their lives in the struggle for freedom during the Second World War.

Finally the Russian ambassador invited everyone to join him in a toast to victory at the nearby marquees where vodka, wine and Russian food awaited them.

…And the Afternoon

at Trafalgar Square

Many then went on to Trafalgar Square to join the ‘Immortal Regiment’ parade, called by the Russian community in Britain to honour those that fell in the fight against fascism that is called the Great Patriotic War in most of the former republics of the USSR.

Londoners, including many members of the Russian ex-pat community, held portraits and Soviet emblems as they remembered those who had died in the Second World War, including veterans, partisans, concentration camp victims and home-front workers.

Starting in Trafalgar Square the parade moved on to Westminster shouting 'Ura!' and singing Russian war-time favourites such as Kalinka and Katyusha. Both young and old joined the rally, complete with signs and banners showing to all Londoners the history of the Great Patriotic War.

RAF veteran Gareth Fearn told the Russian media that he joined the rally to support his girlfriend but also said that it was important to commemorate those who served in the Red Army for their sacrifices.

"I attended to support my girlfriend but also I served in the Royal Air Force.

“I think it's unimportant which country you're from. I think it's important to remember all of those who served in the war regardless of which side they served on.

"I think it's important to celebrate not just on 9 May but on every type of Remembrance Day, and I think it's important to continue that from generation to generation because if we didn't, we'd be living in a very different world. If it wasn't for these people, we'd be living in a different world today.”

Another marcher dressed in Soviet uniform said that Remembrance Day was important to remember and held deep meaning for his family.

"It's our Remembrance Day. My great-grandfather died in this war and it holds a lot of meaning for us. As soon as people forget one war, another will happen after that."

Remembering the Soviet victory against the Nazis

 by New Worker 

 correspondent

Andy Brooks with  James Taylor and Dermot Hudson

 MILLIONS of Russians took to the streets last week to celebrate Victory Day and the surrender of Nazi Germany on 9^th May 1945. A massive military parade through Red Square in Moscow paid tribute to the millions of Soviet soldiers and citizens who died in the struggle to defeat the Nazis in the Second World War while other commemorations took place throughout the Russian Federation and much of the former Soviet Union.

            In London communists began the day by joining veterans, diplomats and local dignitaries at the ceremony that’s held every year at the Soviet War Memorial in the shadow of the Imperial War Museum in south London. Many then went on to Trafalgar square to join the “Immortal Regiment” parade called by the Russian community in Britain to honour those that fell in the fight against fascism.

            Hundreds of people, including many from London’s Russian community, gathered around the Memorial in the Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park in Southwark on Wednesday 9th May to mark the 73^rd anniversary of the Red Army’s victory over the Nazi hordes in 1945.

            Banners flying high, British and Soviet war veterans marched to the monument to start the ceremony that was opened by Charlie Smith, the Mayor of Southwark, and addressed by Philip Matthews from the Soviet Memorial Trust Fund and Russian Ambassador Alexander Yakovenko.

This was followed by the laying of floral tributes by Southwark councillors, diplomats from the countries of the former Soviet Union, British and Soviet veterans and friendship associations. Officials from the Marx Memorial Library and communist movements that included a New Communist Party delegation led by NCP general secretary, Andy Brooks, placed their wreaths and flowers at the memorial which was unveiled on 9^th May 1999.

The Soviet War Memorial is a bronze statue of a semi-abstract figure holding a bell that will forever remain silent. The memorial stone that commemorates the 27 million Soviet citizens and servicemen and women who died in the Second World War is inscribed with the words “We Shall Remember Them” in English and Russian. These words were solemnly repeated by all at the close of the ceremony that ended with the {Last Post} and two minutes silence to remember those who gave their lives in the struggle for freedom during the Second World War.

Finally the event ended with the traditional invitation from the Russian ambassador to join him in a toast to victory at the nearby marquees where vodka, wine and Russian food awaited them.