The
ceremony of laying flowers at the Eternal flame, the Monument to mothers and
widows of fallen soldiers was held today in Kazan Victory park. Also, in honor
of the 75th anniversary of Victory, a new monument to the Soviet soldier was unveiled
in the park.
Due to the epidemiological
situation caused by coronavirus pandemic, the event was held in a restricted format
with a minimum of participants. The memory of heroes was honored by Tatarstan
President Rustam Minnikhanov, Tatarstan Prime Minister Alexey Pesoshin,
Chairman of State Council Farid Mukhametshin, Tatarstan State Counsellor, the
Hero of Labor of Russia, Mintimer Shaimiev, Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin and
others. Citizens of the republic could watch the live broadcast of the event on
the TNV TV-channel.
Upon
arrival at the Victory park, Rustam Minnikhanov got acquainted with the
equipment of the Great Patriotic War and rare armored cars. As part of a
special campaign on May 8 and 9, military vehicles performed a festive run
through the streets of Kazan. The convoy stops at the houses where veterans
live, participants of the run congratulate them on the occasion of Victory Day.
Then the
participants of the event laid flowers at the Eternal flame and at the monument
to the Mothers and widows of fallen soldiers.
After that,
a new monument to the Soviet soldier was unveiled. The collective image of the
warrior depicted in the monument is based on the exploit of the son of the
Tatar people, Gazi Zagitov, who on April 30, 1945, together with his fellow
soldiers, raised up the Red Flag over the Reichstag.
“Today we
are unveiling a monument to a Soviet soldier. This is a monument to all
Tatarstan citizens who fought in the World War II“, - Tatarstan President said in his speech. He reminded
that during the war 700 thousand citizens of the republic left for the army,
every second died in the battles for their Homeland. “The memory of our heroes
will live forever in our hearts,”- R. Minnikhanov emphasized.
The opening
ceremony was attended in video mode by Boris Kuznetsov, a veteran of the World
War II, Hero of the Soviet Union, Hero of Socialist Labor, scientist-designer
and Honorary Chairman of the charitable public organization “Heroes of
Tatarstan” Ildus Mostyukov and Major General, Chairman of the Committee of the republican
public organization of veterans “Union of veterans of the Republic of Tatarstan”
Akhat Yulashev. Rustam Minnikhanov wished all veterans and home front workers
good health, long and peaceful life.
“I
congratulate all citizens on the 75th anniversary of the Great Victory of the
Soviet people over the German-fascist invaders. I believe that the flame of war
will never again scorch our land, and the Victory Flag will always proudly fly
over our Motherland!” - said R.Minnikhanov.
The memory
of the fallen soldiers was observed a minute of silence. After the ceremony,
the national anthems of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tatarstan, reports
the Tatarstan President’s Press Office.