Remembering the “Immortal Regiment”
To celebrate the Russia’s Victory Day of the Great Patriotic War (9 May) and Vietnam’s Reunification Day (30 April), on the morning of 8 May the Russian Embassy in Vietnam and the Russian Centre of Science and Culture in Hanoi jointly organized the remembrance ceremony of the “Immortal Regiment” at Thăng Long Imperial Citadel.
During the Great Patriotic War and the war for national liberation and independence, millions of Russian and Vietnamese people stood up to defend their countries. These people included the old and young, soldiers and civilians alike. To achieve the final victory, the peoples of Vietnam and Russia had to fight fierce battles and go through days of utmost pain and ordeal. The memory of the immortal intrepidity of the armies and peoples of the two countries needs to be inculcated and instilled in the mind of today’s generations to become indelible.
Honoring the heroic soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the ultimate victory.
The ceremony was attended by the Russian Ambassador to Vietnam, H.E. Mr. K. V. Vnukov and over one thousand guests, including Russian diplomats and citizens living and working in Vietnam, representatives of the Vietnam Veterans’ Association, upper-secondary schools under the Russian Embassy in Vietnam, and students who are learning the Russian language in schools and universities in Vietnam.
Participants were given the St. George Ribbon, the main emblem of victory – and together marched the portraits of the soldiers of the Immortal Regiment amidst the emotional and glorious melodies of such songs as the Farewell of Slavianka, Victory Day, the Sacred War performed by the ceremonial bands of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army.
Addressing the ceremony, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Vietnam, H.E. Mr. K.V. Vnukov stressed the special importance and the social significance of the patriotic activity of ‘the Immortal Regiment’ while asserting that the generations of today still recall with great gratitude the victorious deeds and merits of the heroes of the former USSR and Vietnam. “Our task is to preserve peace and keep forever the memories of the heroes of our two countries, never to forget the prices we had to pay to achieve victory”, he said.
Naval colonel R.V. Boytsov, the Russian military attaché in Vietnam said: “This sacred day is remembered across Russia with both joy and sadness. These sincere and upright feelings help to connect millions of people and different generations together”. He also did not forget to mention the close relation and camaraderie between the two peoples of Vietnam and Russia, saying: “I proud that the glorious historical events of Russia are linked closely to the glorious deeds of Vietnam. Our two peoples are very close together despite the relative physical distance and separation. The history of both countries is characterized by a great number of fierce battles and the constant struggle for national independence and freedom. We in Russia will never forget the meritorious service of the Vietnamese soldiers who sacrificed their lives on the outskirts of Moscow in the winter of 1941-1942”.
War veterans of Vietnam visiting the photo gallery
Representing Vietnam War Veterans’ Association, Colonel Nguyễn Khánh Duy stressed that “the success of the Russian October Revolution in 1917 opened up for Vietnam our own revolutionary path, and the victory of the USSR in the Second World War in 1945 created objective conditions for the success of our Vietnamese August Revolution, marking a new era of national independence of a socialist Vietnam. The Vietnamese people hold in very high regards the assistance given to us by the USSR thanks to which we were able not only to win the war for national independence but also restore our country after a lot of aftermaths and destruction. Vietnamese people in general and members of War Veterans’ Association in particular will remember forever the invaluable contributions made by your country”.
After the official formal part of the ceremony, the participants observed a one-minute silence to pay tribute to the fallen. Then they were entertained with the popular heroic Russian songs.
Within the framework of the event, the participants also visited the photo exhibition that commemorates the 80th anniversary of the outbreak of the Second World War, 75th anniversary of the lifting of the siege of Leningrad and 75th anniversary of the liberation of Belarus from invading German forces.
Some photos of the “Immortal Regiment” Commemorative Ceremony:
The participants proceeding to the area where the ceremony would be held
Paying tribute to the war heroes and martyrs.
Children bringing with them the portraits of the Immortal Regiment soldiers to show their gratitude
Singing glorious songs of the past.
A joyous Russian dance.
The popular Katyusha dance.
Youngsters singing praises of the heroic deeds of their forefathers.
Russian diplomats’ performance on stage.
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