Муниципальное Бюджетное Общеобразовательное учреждение «Основная Общеобразовательная школа № 7»

THE VICTORY DAY

Выполнила:

Боженкова Арина, учащаяся 6 класса

Научный руководитель:

Берзина Светлана Сергеевна

учитель английского языка

2015

CONTENTS

1. Introduction
2. The Victory Day
3. Five Facts About Victory Day in Russia
4. Countries in which  May 9 is celebrated
5. Conclusions
6. List of Literature

                            I. Introduction

Where is my sun, where is  my home?

I’m a stone and dark…
Everyday`s death, and death go on,
When you say: “My life, goodbye!”
War of the world is long, so long.
Death is the most force word.
Life and death – all is in the one,
I don’t know when it be gone.

70 years have passed since the day of the Victory in the Great Patriotic war, but its echo till now doesn`t calm down in humans` souls. We haven`t the right to forget the horror of that war. We haven`t the right to forget those soldiers, who died for our bright future. We must remember everybody and everything. We must come down the memory about one of the most terrible war, which concerned every family, from father to son. 

The Great Patriotic War became the most fearful ordeal for the Soviet people. Victory Day forever became the most joyous holiday of the most important and personal event. In honor of this holiday great songs were written and great movies were filmed. No matter how many years have passed, we will never forget their sacrifice and the glory of the heroes will never fade memories of heroism and courage of the people will never be forgotten.

II. The Victory Day

It’s a great opportunity for foreign guests to become a part of the Victory Day celebration on May 9th, to see the traditional parade, the grand parade of troops and the big concert on Palace Square, there are also events dedicated to the Day of breaking the siege of Leningrad in 1943 held around the city: there are concert venues on squares and prospects where performances are held to honor the great holiday. Everyone congratulates the veterans, heartily thanking them and presenting them with flowers.

One of the traditional events is a trip of veterans by retro trams. The Leningrad tram is a symbol of courage and the strong spirit of besieged Leningrad. It was the only form of transport which worked throughout the war. It carried tons of cargo and delivered fighters to the front line – its ringing sound spoke about the coming Victory in the war.

In the evening of May 9, Russian people revere the memory of fallen heroes with a Moment of silence, remembering those who fought for the freedom and independence of the country and the lost residents of besieged Leningrad.

The colorful closing of the holiday is fireworks and salute, which can be best observed on the banks of the Neva on Vasilevsky Island, or on the Palace Embankment.

             Victory Day is the greatest holiday in our country. It marks the Victory of our country in World War II, the Victory of the Russian troops over the Nazi invaders.

            The main celebration is held in Moscow. In Moscow at Poklonnaya Hill was recently constructed the Memorial Complex to commemorate the Victory of our people in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945.

            The Victory Parade to celebrate the defeat of Hitler Germany was held on here on June 24, 1945 to the roll of drums, soldiers threw down 2 hundred enemy standards in front of the Mausoleum.                                                                                                    

 The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It is a simple and dignified memorial to the soldiers who died for the country in World War II. It is here that all delegations lay wreaths. You will see the eternal flame burning at the Tomb and sometimes you

can watch guardsmen here.              

In all the towns are decorations, flags and slogans in the streets, in the shop windows and on the front of large buildings. On Victory Day morning there are meetings and demonstrations of the veterans who fought in the Great Patriotic War. On that day there usually is military parade in all big cities of our country. There are a lot of people in the streets and squares. They are all celebrating their holiday. People put flowers at the tombs of the soldiers, who were killed during the war.  They lay flowers to those who did not live to see the Victory. War veterans tell the children about the war and how they fought for Victory. In the evening there is usually a holiday salute and a minute of silence to remember all those who did not come back from the Great Patriotic War.

 Russian people are open-hearted, hospitable and friendly. Love for freedom has been a national character of our people. When Russia was attacked by the enemy the Russian people rose up in defence of their Motherland. 

No enemy has been able to conquer our country!

There are more than 13 “hero-cities” in Russia because they fought so heroically during the war. The great sacrifices which people of these cities and towns made for the freedom and independence of our country, the countless hardships they went through during the war, the selfless efforts in the rear and at the front were not in vain.

Volgograd is a legendary city, because here in 1943 the Soviet Army won the great and glorious victory over the fascists. The symbol of Volgograd is the  Mamaev Hill. It was the centre of fighting during the heroic defence of Stalingrad. The centre of Volgograd is the Square of the Fallen Heroes. In the middle of it there is a granite obelisk at the foot of it you can see the Eternal Flame. 

I live in a small town Anzhero-Sudzhensk. It is my Motherland and I love my native place very much. I consider that I am very patriotic and my tiny town is the best place in the world! There is a monument for the Fallen Soldiers in our town. Every year our inhabitants celebrate the Victory Day. In our school we celebrate it too. It’s a pity, but there are only few war veterans in our town and we have  toilers of the rear.

Many old residents were children during the war, and their life was very difficult. We celebrate all of them, invite them to school on the holiday concert. Young people must not forget  the  heroes, they must be ready to defend their country against all enemies.

The civilization was not crushed by the World War II and the ruins provided the stimulus to build a way of life again. The people felt free to reinvent themselves. 

III. 5 Facts About Victory Day in Russia.

The colors of the flying flags and ribbons represent something specific and the style of celebration is both large and unique. It is filled with both solemn television broadcasts, moments of silence, and nostalgic Victory Balls and horse parades amongst other events. Let's have a look at some most interesting aspects:

1. All the ribbons and flags

Every flag and ribbon represents something associated with Victory Day Russia. The ribbon with a red center with red, blue, green, orange, and black on the outsides represents the “Order of Victory”. Another one with red and orange stripes with red blocks on either side signifies the Medal for the Capture of Berlin and the St. George Ribbon of only black and orange stripes represents the medal for the final victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War (World War II). Others of varying colors you are sure to notice represent previous notable anniversaries of Victory Day May 9 (ie. the 20th, 30th, 40th, 50th, and 60th and 70th anniversaries).

2. Minute of Silence

"Attention, Moscow's listening and watching!" begins the TV and radio program called The Minute of Silence. A program starting at 6:00 pm on May 9th. Along with perhaps one of the largest moments of collective silence in the country all year it broadcasts a solemn address dedicated to those who fell fighting the German invasion of the Soviet Union. Due to its solemnity, the address has informally been known as "the prayer". In 1965, when the program was first broadcast, the very moment of true silence was sounded with the toll of the Moscow Kremlin bells. The TV version showed a flame with a wall in the background with the text, "The Memory of the Fallen."

3. Resurgence of Popularity

In the 1990s the celebration was not celebrated massively as it did not fit in with the way the liberals in power in Moscow communicated with the residents. However, this changed when Vladimir Putin came to power as he reinvigorated national self-esteem and prestige of the governing regime and history through the celebration of national holidays. Victory Day has since become an increasingly joyous celebration resulting in the 2005 Victory Day celebration being the largest national and popular holiday since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

4. Special Events

May 9 Russia heeds to several special events for spectators of the celebration to feel as if they are a part of the whole thing. For example, at 6pm there is the Victory Ball in the Hermitage Garden recreating the celebratory atmosphere of 1945. Amongst a field kitchen, a brass band and people dressed in 1940s fashions and students wearing the military uniform of those days, visitors of the gardens step back in time. They feel as if they are a part of the original celebration of 1945 and learn to dance the Krakowiak, tango and waltz among other dances. And a special perk is free entrance.

5. Victory Day May 9th, not May 8th

A final interesting note is that Russia celebrates this anniversary on May 9th rather than May 8th as the rest of Europe. The signing of the surrender document took place in Europe late in the evening of May 8th, thus on May 9th by Moscow time.

IV. Countries in which May 9 is celebrated:

    * Armenia has officially recognized 9 May since 1946;
    * Azerbaijan has officially recognized 9 May since 1946;
    * Belarus has officially recognized 9 May since 1946 and considered it non-labor in the past;
    * Bosnia and Herzegovina Republika Srpska, one of two entities constituting Bosnia and Herzegovina has officially recognized May 9 as the V-Day over Fascism and considers it a non-working day.[6]
    * Serbia celebrates 9 May as the Victory Day over Fascism but it's a working holiday. Still many people gather to mark the anniversary with the war veterans, including Serbian army, Minister of Defense and the President.
    * Georgia (country) has officially recognized 9 May since 1946;
    * Germany has never officially recognized the holiday, however 9 May was celebrated by Russian and Jewish communities in East Berlin up until 1990.
    * Israel has officially recognized 9 May since 2000.
    * Kazakhstan has officially recognized 9 May since 1947. It's a non-working day. The holiday is sometimes celebrated in connection with other national holidays on May 10 and 11.
    * Kyrgyzstan has officially recognized 9 May since 1946;
    * Moldova has officially recognized 9 May since 1951;
    * Russia has officially recognized 9 May since 1946 and considers it a non-working day even if it falls on a weekend (in which case any following Monday will be non-working);
    * Tajikistan has officially recognized 9 May since 1946;
    * Turkmenistan has officially recognized 9 May since 1946;
    * Ukraine has officially recognized 9 May since 1946 and considers it a non-working day;
    * Uzbekistan has officially recognized 9 May from 1946 until 1988. Starting 1999, the holiday was restored as "Memorial/Remembrance Day".

V. Conclusions

We must be grateful to those who put their lives on the altar of the USSR victory. We must keep their memory carefully and appreciate everything they did for us, as we are living just because they are dead.

Despite the fact that the holiday is celebrated in a flamboyant way, May 9 is a sad day for the majority of our population. Many people have lost their loved ones and close relatives during this ruthless war. From one hand everyone is happy that the country wasn’t occupied by the fascist invaders, from the other hand everyone grieves over their loss. On this day we are grateful to our saviors, to those who sacrificed their lives for us. That’s why we try to celebrate this day with honours. Some part of younger generation doesn’t understand the importance of this event, which I think is disrespectful.

In my opinion, the Victory Day is one of the greatest holidays during the year. Some of my ancestors also took part in the Great Patriotic War of 1945, and I’m proud of them.

I appeal to all who hold dear cause of peace:

“Let us stop those who are trying to push the world into an abyss!

Let our voice sound as loud as never before!”

MAY THERE ALWAYS BE SUNSHINE!

MAY THERE ALWAYS BE BLUE SKY!

MAY THERE ALWAYS BE MUMMI!

MAY THERE ALWAYS BE ME!

7. List of Literature

1. 100 тем английского устного (Каверина В., Бойко В., Жидких Н.) 2002 
2. Английский язык для школьников и поступающих в ВУЗы. Устный экзамен. Топики. Тексты для чтения. Экзаменационные вопросы. (Цветкова И. В., Клепальченко И.А., Мыльцева Н.А.)
3. English, 120 Topics. Английский язык, 120 разговорных тем. (Сергеев С.П.)