Youth worldwide celebrated the 80th anniversary of Victory. Participants of International Friendship Clubs as well as representatives of WYF Directorate’s partner organizations abroad, organized patriotic, cultural, and educational events.
“More than 30 foreign bloggers from different regions of the world participated in a blog tour across Russia, sharing the truth about the Great Patriotic War with their audiences. The tour was dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Victory, bringing together bloggers from 19 countries, including France, Belgium, Belarus, the Czech Republic, Vietnam, the USA, Bulgaria, Abkhazia, Canada, India, Ethiopia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Syria, Serbia, Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico. Additionally, WYF-2024 participants and activists of the Directorate ran major events abroad and restored monuments to fallen Soviet soldiers. In Russia, our young people, together with international students, organized and participated in educational and patriotic initiatives aimed at strengthening historical memory”, noted Grigory Gurov, Head of Rosmolodezh (Federal Agency for Youth Affairs).
Victory Day, as well as May 10 and 11, featured commemorative events, joined by activists of the World Youth Festival Directorate from around the world.
“Together with our international partners, we planned over 50 different commemorative events in nearly 30 countries during the holidays. These include Abkhazia, Armenia, the Maldives, Canada, Luxembourg, Georgia, Ecuador, Serbia, Germany, Slovakia, Australia, Italy, Gambia, Congo, and others. We see how the international youth community honors memory and is ready to defend the truth not only in Europe. Young people from abroad proposed various formats of participation themselves. This once again proves that the memory of the Soviet soldier’s feat against Nazism unites generations and nations, transcending borders for the sake of peace and justice”, emphasized Dmitry Ivanov, Director General of the World Youth Festival Directorate.
For example, commemorative events to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War took place in Cyprus, joined by WYF international partners. In Nicosia, ahead of the anniversary, WYF-2024 participants organized the “Immortal Regiment” march. Additionally, Vladimiros Gorin, representative of the WYF Directorate’s International Project Office and coordinator of Victory Day volunteers in Cyprus, visited Volgograd on a patriotic mission.
“Standing on the sacred land of Mamayev Hill, right in the heart of the Hero City Volgograd, I speak not only on behalf of my family but also on behalf of all the youth of Cyprus – of all who honor the feat of the Great Victory. This year, we mark the 80th anniversary since the end of the most devastating war in human history. A war in which the peoples of the Soviet Union played a decisive role in liberating Europe from Nazism. A Victory that changed the course of history and became a symbol of unity, courage, and faith in justice”, emphasized Vladimiros Gorin.
The WYF Directorate’s International Project Office in Armenia, together with public and educational organizations, held memorial activities and creative activities at the Slavic School and in Victory Park in Yerevan, bringing together over 50 participants. The event featured patriotic songs performed by a children's choir and a solo performer Artur Agadzhanov of the State Academic Choir of Armenia. Schoolchildren also wrote letters to veterans and laid flowers at the Eternal Flame.
“The Armenian people – a people with a centuries-old history – made a tremendous contribution to the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. It is very important that both adults and young people remember this. Victory in the war is only half the battle. To preserve it, we must fight every day. We honor those who gave their lives and health for the Motherland. Armenia has always fought against fascism and will continue to do so. Glory to our peoples, who fought side by side”, said **Ayk Derzyan, representative of the International Project Office in Armenia. **
In Congo, activists, together with the diplomatic corps and Congolese youth who studied in Russia, took part in a ceremony to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Victory, organized by the Russian House in Brazzaville.
“We honor the memory of those who gave their lives for peace on Earth. This ceremony reminds us of the importance of humanity’s joint efforts to preserve peace and harmony”, said Bokoumaka Seraphim Yoan Ibiliki, representative of a WYF Directorate’s partner organization.
In Abkhazia, representatives of the World Youth Festival supported the “Thank You for the Memory” patriotic campaign. Children from all regions of the Republic recited lines from Alexander Surkov’s poem “Victory” standing in front of restored monuments, renovated with the support of the Russian Federation. On May 8, a commemorative event “Names of Victory” was held at the Monument to the Unknown Soldier in Sukhumi. Participants lit candles and arranged them to form the number 23, honoring the 23 Abkhazians awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. The event was held with support from the State Committee for Youth and Sports and the International Project Office in Abkhazia.
In Bratislava, representatives of the International Project Office in Slovakia paid tribute to Soviet soldiers by laying flowers at the Russian Embassy as part of the “Flowers of Victory” campaign.
“Our goal was to remind people how significant the Victory over fascism is and to honor those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. We believe it is especially important to remember this today, when fascism is on the rise again in Ukraine and across Europe. That is why we are deeply grateful not only to World War II heroes but also to those who continue the fight against fascism today”, emphasized Tomas Spacek, head of the International Project Office in Slovakia.
In the Czech Republic, WYFD’s activists and children joined the “Letter of Victory” campaign. In Tbilisi, Georgia, the International Project Office visited the memorial to Meliton Kantaria, Hero of the Soviet Union who raised the Victory Banner over the Reichstag, laying a wreath at the foot of the monument. In total, three events were held in Georgia: in Tbilisi, Senaki, and the village of Rodionovka. In Senaki (Western Georgia), an event was held at the monument to Soviet pilot and Hero of the Soviet Union Alexander Tsurtsumia.
Representatives of the International Project Office in the Maldives also joined commemorative events. Youth leaders prepared letters and symbolic “Flowers of Victory”, which will be officially handed over to the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Malé.
The 80th anniversary of Victory was also celebrated in southern Algeria. The touching music played at the event added to the atmosphere of sorrow and respect. Participants refrained from giving speeches, creating a moment of silent reflection and gratitude for the feat of those who fought for peace.
In Kathmandu, Nepal, over 60 people laid flowers at the memorial at the Russian Embassy in Nepal and visited an exhibition dedicated to the Great Patriotic War.
In Luxembourg, World Youth Festival ambassadors joined a memorial event held in the vicinity of the Luxembourg Parliament, which included an “Immortal Regiment” march. It mainly focused on expressing gratitude to the Red Army and the Soviet Union for liberating Europe from fascism, as well as protesting against the exclusion of Russian and Belarusian representatives from international commemorative events. Notably, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen was present near the Parliament building during the event.
In Palestine, a major event took place at the Russian House – an official partner of the WYF Directorate’s International Project Office. The event featured greetings to the Russian people and leadership on Victory Day, as well as cultural and artistic performances highlighting the depth of Palestinian-Russian relations, and a ceremony honoring veterans and representatives of the Russian diaspora.
Commemorative events worldwide continued until May 11, covering dozens of countries, including Serbia, Germany, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Finland, Australia, the UK, South Ossetia, and Nicaragua.