May 9, Victory Day in Russia!

May 9, Victory Day in Russia!
09 May 2015

On May 9 Russia celebrates День Победы (Victory Day) and the victory of the Soviet Union over Nazi Germany during World War II in 1945. Great celebrations are taking place in all Russian cities, and Moscow and Saint Petersburg organize huge programs full of events during the whole weekend!

On the Victory Day Russians remember and honour their veterans and the impressive number of people (over 20 million) who died during what is called Великой Отечественной войне (Great Patriotic War).

The official celebrations started with the massive military parade. In Moscow’s Red Square 16,500 troops took part in the military parade this morning. Attending the parade it’s not so easy because the whole area is protected and restricted, and most of the main streets and metro stations are closed. That’s why many Russian prefer to watch the military parade on the television and join later the following parades and events organized during the day. In Moscow the main events will be held on Poklonnaya Gora, Patriarch’s Ponds, Pushkinskaya Ploshchad, Tverskaya Ploshchad and Teatralnaya Ploshchad.

In the afternoons there will be the Immortal Regiment March to honour the people who died in combat. During this parade people use to carry portraits of their loved ones who died in the war. On this day veterans wears their medals and many people the St. George black-and-yellow ribbon. Red carnation, red star medal and the St. George ribbon are typical symbols of the Victory Day.

In Kuznetsky Most and Old Arbat, musical theater shows will go on for the whole day accompanied by World War II-era songs. In addition there’s also the opportunity to taste military cuisine, not really the most elaborate one but for sure you will surrounded by a unique atmosphere.

At 18:55 everywhere will be observed a moment of silence and then commemorations and celebrations will continue until the awaited fireworks show at 22:00. This year the fireworks will be set alight from 16 different locations and the best spots to enjoy them are Vorobyovy Gory observation deck and the Poklonnaya Gora.

During this national holiday public schools, offices and businesses will be closed for the celebrations and particularly during the morning, public transport service is subjected to change. In Moscow the metro will work until 2:00 a.m., while in Saint Petersburg 24h during the nights between May 9 and 10, and 10 and 11.

«Ура Победе» (Ura Pobede)! and «с днём победы» (S dnem pobedy) everybody!


Victory Day in Saint Petersburg, main events

10:00 – Military parade in Dvortsovaya ploshchad

10:00-22:00 Exhibition of historical military equipment in Petropavlovskaya krepost

11:00-22:00 – Exhibition of military equipment in Dvortsovaya ploshchad

16:00 – Immortal Regiment March

17:00 – Veterans Parade

18:00 – Concert dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the Victory in Dvortsovaya ploshchad

18:55 – Minute of silence

22:00 – Fireworks from Petropavlovskaya krepost


Victory Day in Moscow, main events

10:00 – Military parade in Red Square

13:00-22:00 Concerts in Poklonnaya Gora

15:00 – Immortal Regiment March

18:55 – Minute of silence

22:00 – Fireworks

Written by: Jessica Carrettiero

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