Like I mentioned before, 9 May is a day of joy and agony.
Tears of joy from the honour & overwhelming & gratitude given to the veterans.
But for them, what is more touching is to see people, children on the streets alive, happy & celebrating.
For the 70th anniversary of Victory Day, they took out new tanks to put on display at the Vicyory park. There was one in the city I live in too.
A veteran on his knees before the exact tank he used during the war. I can't imagine how he must feel at the very moment. It is a poignant picture.
It is a day of joy to celebrate the victory, to celebrate the life of those who survived, to celebrate the life of many which were made possible only after having won the war.
Do not be fooled by their age for they, just as before, can show-off their impressive talent. And believe me, these great grandfathers know how to have fun!
(this is from the city I'm living in, Kazan)
It is a day to reunite with comrades, brothers in the service and friends. A day to recollect thoughts of those comrades who have fallen.
There is one symbolic part of the day which was called 100g. A plate of buckwheat with canned corned beef and a 100g of vodka were served as a symbolic memory of what soldiers were given to eat during the war. The Prime Minister took a part in this together with the veterans.
How lovely it is to see these brave men able to spend time and tell jokes to their grandchildren...
to listen to kids innocent stories,
mumbles & baby talk.
How nice it is for them to be able to hear a child's cry...
to be able to hold their grandchildren's hands...
to feel a child's kiss.
Isn't it beautiful?
Isn't it touching? I feel genuinely happy for them that they were able to live and enjoy life after surpassing years horrifying days.
But the sad thing about it is that year by year the number of veterans are becoming small. The seats are becoming less and less.
Victory Day is a dying tradition.
The holiday continues, parade proceeds but the real essence of the celebration not having the veterans around will not be the same.
(note: pictures from different cities of Russia were taken from the internet )
Wow, such great photos! They really are moving and show the emotions that the people are feeling. So touching.
ReplyDeleteVictory Day is a beautiful celebration and a good way to tell the tales and keep memories alive about the war. Your picture of the tank driver was especially poignant. My brother was a tank driver when he was killed in Viet Nam.
ReplyDeleteYou've captured the joy and agony really well in your selection of photos!
ReplyDeleteYou're a wonderful photographer. Your photos are filled with character and are wonderful studies. A lovely post.
ReplyDeleteHi Jeanie, thanks, I wish it was me who took the photos, I would have captured the same moments but I took them from Russian online newspaper on the internet. The pictures I took are the ones in my previous posts with watermark in them.
DeleteI think the people in Russia know how to commemorate this day very well!
ReplyDeleteA very moving post, the photos are lovely and candid! Have a happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteThey are lovely pictures - whoever took them! I think the soldier with his tank was my favourite. There is no-one left from the first world war now and it's true it isn't the same. We mustn't forget all of the brave people who fought in the wars.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post. The photo of a veteran on his knees in front of the tank is very moving. It's beyond my imagination how he feels.
ReplyDeleteI feel happy for those who survived the war and can see their children and grandchildren.
I swear, I'm not joking here....that one photo of the surviving soldier and his tank...as he is brought to his knees...it made me bawl!! I had goose flesh.
ReplyDeleteWhat a magnificent tribute.
Dearest Mari; Oh, what heartwarming pictures you showed and introduced us☆☆☆ I was amazed the seen the veteran on his knees before 'especially' the EXACT tank he used. It is important to have a DAY like this, isn't it!
ReplyDeleteHope you are having a wonderful Sunday and coming new week.
Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to my Dear friend in Russia, xoxo Miyako*