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Victory Day celebrated in Penza

14:20 | 09.05.2017 | Society

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Penza, 9 May 2017. PenzaNews. An official event dedicated to the 72nd anniversary of the Great Victory in the Great Patriotic War was held on Tuesday, May 9. It took place at the Military and Labor Valor Monument.

Victory Day celebrated in Penza

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After the march of the “Immortal Regiment” column, which numbered 25,000 participants, with people holding banners with portraits of their relatives who contributed to the Great Victory, cadets with a replica of the Victory Banner went to the centre of the square and held the 200-metre canvas during the whole ceremony.

City residents could enjoy the change of the guard of honour as well as see how soldiers dressed in the uniform of 1940ies brought in 10 flags bearing the titles of the frontlines in the Great Patriotic War.

The honorary places at the seats on either side of the centre were given to the veterans. The top officials of Penza and the region were in the centre. Representatives of labour collectives from four city areas and public organizations were also present at the event bearing flags.

Those who could not see what was happening had a chance to watch the action on two screens installed near the monument. One of them was turned to Lunacharskogo street, and the other – to Prospekt Pobedy street.

Residents of nearby houses watched the procession and the solemn event from windows and balconies leaning out of them.

The winner of the grand prize of the Russian contest "The Voice of a Warrior" Roman Nikolaev as well as 72 young violinists performed on the steps of the square.

The governor of the Penza region Ivan Belozertsev turned to participants of the event noting that the memory of the feat of the veterans, who went through the war and restored the national economy, will live forever.

"The country managed to repulse the terrible invasion, to endure, to survive and to win in the worst war in the history of humankind. The Soviet army liberated its own territory as well as European countries from fascism," he reminded.

Ivan Belozertsev noted that Penza region citizens made a great contribution to the Great Victory.

"From the first to the last day our fellow-citizens fought selflessly on fronts of the Great Patriotic war. For displayed valour, many of them were awarded with war decorations, received the title of the Hero of the Soviet Union and became Full Cavaliers of the Order of Glory," the governor added.

He thanked veterans for their feat and promised that the current generation of Russians will value service to their country and to the native land above all.

Then, Vladimir Kerkhanadzhev, veteran of the Battle for Stalingrad and the Battle of Kursk, honorary citizen of Penza, congratulated veterans and their descenders on the 72nd anniversary of the Victory.

"I wish heirs of the winners to multiply [...] military traditions of the Red Army, the Soviet Army. I wish you, heirs of the winners, to never ever encounter the same fate as your ancestors had to live through. I wish you happiness and prosperity. It was an honour for me to be here!" the veteran said.

After that, a parade began.

The veterans and the audience watched the march of the Penza branch of the Army General Khrulev Military Academy of Material and Technical Supply, which featured students from several foreign countries, as well as cadets.

The procession was followed by an orchestra.

To honor the fallen soldiers, the people at the monument square held a moment of silence, which was followed by gunshots.

The solemn ceremony concluded with laying flowers and wreaths to the Military and Labor Valor Monument. Strong wind almost blew them away but officials who stood nearby managed to catch them.

Flowers were laid by veterans, the authorities, young people, members of social organizations, workers of Penza enterprizes and members of the public.

Many parents took their children to the regional Book of Memory located in the niche of one of granite flight of stairs and explained that the names of Penza soldiers who died during the Great Patriotic war are written in it. The participants of the event left flowers and chocolates near the book.

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