V I C T O R Y     D A Y

   Victory Day is a great holiday in Russia. On this day millions of people celebrate the victory over the German fascists in 1945.

   On the 9th of May, veterans of the Great Patriotic War receive many greetings. They meet young people and children and tell them about the battles, how they fought for their country.

     Flowers are given to whose who took part in the Great Patriotic War. Flowers are laid to the monuments to heroes and the graves of Russian soldiers.

   In the evening, we can see a holiday salute and a minute of silence to remember all those who did not come back from the war.

   In the evening, we watch TV concerts. Famous actors and actresses sing the songs about the war.

M O N U M  E N T S

1) In Moscow in Alexander Park, near the Kremlin Wall you can see the Grave of an Unknown Soldier who was killed in the Battle of Moscow in 1941. Nobody knows his name but on Victory Day, on May 9th, many people, old and young, come to this place. They put flowers to the monument and remember all Russian soldiers killing in the Great Patriotic war.

(This monument was opened on May 8, 1967. The best young soldiers are in the guard of honour on Victory Day.)

2) In Berlin, in Treptov Park there is a monument to a Soviet Army Soldier. Dressed in field uniform, he looks from his pedestal into the distance. In the right hand he has a heavy sword, in the left hand he carefully holds a little girl.

   When you look at the monument, you get the impression that the Soviet Liberator has just finished his battle and is carrying the girl he has saved.

    Veterans and their children and grandchildren bring flowers to this monument.

(The famous Soviet sculptor Yevgeny Vuchetitch has created this monument)