Former residents of besieged Leningrad honored in Kazan City Hall

(KZN.RU, January 30, by Taisiya Basharkina). Today, World War II veterans, home front veterans and children of besieged Leningrad were solemnly honored in Kazan City Hall.

Kazan Mayor Ilsur Metshin greeted the former residents of besieged Leningrad. "900 days of trials and tribulations, the horrors of war and heroism fell on your shoulders, but you did not give in. You are an example of courage and resilience for our entire country. You won a victory of life over death, a victory over fascism," said the head of the city.

"Today, 228 witnesses of those terrible events live in Kazan. We are proud of you and I express my gratitude for your courage and for your feat in those grim years. Leningradites evacuated to Kazan made an enormous contribution to the development of defense industry and postwar Kazan. You created the history and culture of our city. We will always remember the sacrifice and those who defended their homeland, those who worked in the rear and those who survived," concluded I. Metshin, wishing those present good health, happiness and long life.

By decree of the Government of St. Petersburg, 58 former Leningrad residents were decorated with badges commemorating the 70th anniversary of the complete liberation of the city from the Nazi blockade. The awards ceremony was conducted by deputy head of the Board of Social Affairs Leila Fazleyeva . After handing out the awards, official greetings of vice-governor of St. Petersburg Olga Kazanskaya were read out.