(KZN.RU,
May 9). The solemn parade in honor of the 72nd anniversary of the Victory in
the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 took place in the capital of Tatarstan
today. The large-scale action, traditional and beloved by the Russians,
unfolded on the Millennium Square, and hundreds of veterans became its guests:
heroes of combat and labor glory, as well as their relatives and residents.
Rustam Minnikhanov, the President of the RT, Alexei Pesoshin, the Prime Minister
of the R, Farid Mukhametshin, the chairman of the State Council of the RT,
Mintimer Shaimiev, the State Councilor of the RT, Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of
Kazan, and others attended the parade.
The parade
began with a theatrical prolog, in which more than 2 thousand people took part.
The artists presented dance and vocal performances to the guests of the
festival. Archive photo and video footage of the war years, as well as small
interviews of veterans, were broadcasted behind the stage on the big screen
between and during the performances.
By
tradition, a live broadcast from the Red Square in Moscow was organized during
the Kazan parade. 10 thousand servicemen took part, 114 units of military
equipment, 72 aircraft and helicopters were presented in the main parade of the
country.
The speech
of Vladimir Putin, the President of the Russian Federation, was sounded during
the broadcast. The head of state congratulated the citizens of Russia on the
Victory Day, noting that the people themselves defined the greatness of this
holiday by their unprecedented feat of saving the Fatherland.
“We must
remember that victory was won at the cost of huge, irreplaceable victims, that
the war took millions of lives. The Nazis brought down the most powerful blows
on the Soviet Union. But no, there was no and there will be no force that could
conquer our people. It stood to the death, defending the native land, and
performed what seemed to be impossible, turned back the bloody wheel of the
World War II, drove the enemy back to where he dared to come to our land,
crushed Nazism, putting an end to his atrocities. Today we bow our heads before
the blessed memory of all who have not returned from the war. Before the memory
of sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers,
husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, brother-soldiers, relatives, friends. We
mourn the veterans who have already left us”, said the President and announced
a minute of silence.
“We
celebrate the holiday on May 9 throughout our vast country, in every family.
The war did not pass either of them. We feel a bloody, piercing relation with a
generation of heroes and winners. And I will say to them: you will never be
ashamed of us. The Russian soldier is ready today for any feat, for any sacrifice
for his country, for his people, as at all times, showing courage and heroism”,
continued V. Putin.
“The
further the events of the Great Patriotic War go down in history, the higher
our responsibility to future generations. We are obliged to give them stability
and peace on the planet. To convey the stern, heroic truth and memory of the
Patriotic War, the spirit and meaning of the Great Victory. So our descendants will
love Russia. And a generation that selflessly fought for the Motherland and
with honor defended her freedom and independence forever remains in the memory
of the people. Glory to the victorious people! Happy holiday to you, the
Victory Day!”, concluded the President of the Russian Federation.
After the
performance of the anthem of Russia, Rustam Minnikhanov, the President of
Tatarstan, addressed to veterans, workers of the rear, parade participants, and
servicemen of the Kazan garrison and congratulated them in Russian and Tatar
languages.
“May 9 is
the day of triumph of the multinational people of our great country, a symbol
of its indomitable spirit, unity, and solidarity. It was our country that
crushed Nazism, liberated Europe from slavery, and won the war at the cost of
millions of victims and terrible trials. Our fathers, grandfathers, and
great-grandfathers fought the enemy to defend their native land. We bow our
heads before the blessed memory of all who have not returned from the war and
who are no longer with us. Without hiding pride and tears, we thank you, dear
veterans and workers of the rear. Our sacred duty is to preserve the unfading
truth about the events of the Great Patriotic War to our descendants. We will
not allow the oblivion of the heroes”, said the head of the republic.
“Dear
Tatarstan inhabitants, today the whole world is again faced with a global
threat – terrorism. This evil and violence can only be overcome by joint
coordinated efforts. A strong and reliable army, efficient armed forces are the
necessary conditions for preserving peace and stability. Today, soldiers and
commanders of the Russian army, worthy successors to the heroes of the Great
Patriotic War, defend the frontiers and interests of our country with honor and
courage. Dear veterans and workers of the rear, your courage and boundless love
for the Motherland, vital wisdom, and inexhaustible energy is an example for
all of us. Strong health to you, longevity, and a peaceful sky above. Let
relatives and friends please you by their successes, surround you with care and
love. Happy holiday, the Victory Day”, said R. Minnikhanov.
After the
performance of the Tatarstan anthem, the solemn march began on the Millennium
Square. Kirill Kulakov, the major general and the chief of the Kazan garrison,
led the parade, in which over 1800 people took part, 14 units of equipment, and
26 ceremonial calculations.
Pupils of
the Kazan Suvorov Military School opened the Victory Parade. The Banner of
Victory and bearers with the standards of combat banners of the fronts of the
Great Patriotic War were at the head of the troops. The servicemen of the Kazan
Higher Military Command School, which prepares specialists for tank units,
marched in military uniforms in front of the guests. The military banner of the
school was at the head.
Also,
employees of the interior affairs agencies of the RT, cadets of the Kazan Law
Institute of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, fighters of the
special task unit of the Volga regional command of internal troops of the
Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, employees of the Main Directorate of
the Federal Service for the Execution of Punishments for the RT, the Main
Directorate of the Ministry of Emergency Measures of Russia for the RT, and
Tatarstan Customs marched in front of the audience. Consolidated company of
cadets KNRTU-KCTI and KNRTU named after A. Tupolev, students of KSMU, cadets of
the Kazan boarding school named after Boris Kuznetsov, the Hero of the Soviet
Union, representatives of the Tatarstan junior-army movement of the RT
(students of the gymnasium №94 of the Moskovsky region, students of the Raif
specialized vocational school), column of participants of Afghanistan and other
local conflicts marched on the square. The Guard of Honor Company, formed from
cadets of the Kazan Higher Command School, completed the march.
Also, a
column of military equipment passed in front of the stands with veterans and
members of their family. Armored personnel carriers BTR-80A, BTR-70N, trucks
KAMAZ-43269, KAMAZ-4350, KAMAZ-5350, KAMAZ- 6350, KAMAZ-65225, and BTR-80 were
among the samples of wheeled vehicles in service of the Russian army and law
enforcement agencies.
At the end
of the parade, the Consolidated Military Orchestra of the Kazan Garrison
performed the song “Victory Day”.
The
celebration on May 9 takes place today in all districts of the city. One of the
main events will be the action “Immortal Regiment”, which will begin at 15.00.
Participants of the action will carry portraits of their grandfathers and
great-grandfathers from the Svoboda Square to the Millennium Square in the
capital of Tatarstan. The culmination of the day will be firework, which will
be launched at 22.00 above the water area of the Kazanka River.