Penza, 27 January 2017. PenzaNews. Despite 20-degree frost over 100 people took part in the rally devoted to the anniversary of lifting the Leningrad blockade by the Soviet troops, which was held on Friday, January 27.

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Representatives of veteran and youth organizations, as well as not indifferent residents came to the monument “To the Heroes of Besieged Leningrad" at the intersection of Leningradskaya and Mira streets.

Turning to those present, the head of the Legislative Assembly of the Penza region Valery Liding noted that residents of the region made great contribution to the protection of the city.

"Our task is to preserve the memory, to pass the truth about the victory in the Great Patriotic War with the help of the veterans," he said.

After that, the indigenous Leningrad resident Vladimir Alexeyev, who was in the city during the siege, turned to Penza residents and thanked them for the installation of the monument and thorough care of it.

Then, the participant of the battle of Stalingrad and the battle of Kursk, the honorary citizen of Penza Vladimir Kerkhanadzgev reminded the story of lifting the siege of Leningrad.

"Glory to the residents of Leningrad who heroically endured 900 terrible days of blockade!" Eternal memory to the fallen and the deceased in Leningrad! Glory to the veterans of the Great Patriotic War who took part in [...] the liberation from the Leningrad encirclement!" he said.

After that, the participants of the rally honoured the memory of the deceased with a minute’s silence and laid flowers to the monument.