“Candle of Memory” action was held on the Memorial Day in Krasnodar

Over 10 thousand Krasnodar citizens jointed the All-Russian action dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the Great Patriotic War beginning day. From Theatre Square along Krasnaya Street citizens went to the Eternal Light situated on Memory of Heroes Square. The action was participated by Kuban Governor Veniamin Kondratiev, Krasnodar Region Legislative Assembly Chairman Vladimir Beketov, Head of Krasnodar Vladimir Evlanov, Vice-Governors, members of the veteran and non-governmental organizations, young people.

— The war crooked, destroyed destinies and lives but did not break people’s faith in ultimate Victory. And today the peace is still fragile. So we must team up to maintain the stability in our country and Kuban. Nobody is forgotten and nothing is forgotten, — Veniamin Kondratiev said.

Memory action started on June 22, 4 a.m., exactly 75 years after the beginning of the Great Patriotic War. Krasnodar Region flag at the Theatre Square flagpole was dipped.

Then an archived tape record with the voice of radio speaker Yuri Levitan who announced the invasion of the German Nazi occupationists in 1941was played.

After that the march of lighted candles went to the Eternal Light memorial complex situated on Memory of Heroes Square. 30-cwt lorry of the war years moved in the head. Regional and municipal chief executives, the Great Patriotic war veterans, non-governmental organizations members also walked in the front lines.

The march participants laid wreaths, flowers and lighted candles to the Eternal Light and memorial on the square.

— We remember those ones who combated, who went home and did much to make Russia strong, powerful and independent. Our country remains the same. We will never allow dropping Russia on its knees before the memory of our fathers and grandfathers, — Chairman of Krasnodar Region Legislative Assembly Vladimir Beketov said.

Head of Krasnodar also addressed the people.

— Today we pay tribute to the memory of our honorable veterans for their heroism and feats. We say “thanks” for our lives and lives of our children and grandchildren, for the provided opportunity to live, work and create for the name of Russia, — Vladimir Evlanov said.

Then a minute of silence was observed over the square. The march participants were also addressed by the Great Patriotic War veteran Oleg Bredikhin. He thanked citizens that they had come and paid tribute to their fathers and grandfathers.

The event was concluded with the composition “The Cranes” performed by choir and women choreographic group of state concert ensemble “Kuban Cossack outlaws”.

A concert- requiem of creative collectives from cultural centres of Krasnodar was held at the Theatre Square on the day before, June 21. Actors performed poems and songs praising feats of veterans who defended Fatherland’s liberty.

The Memorial Day in Russia is marked on June 22. This day 75 years ago, Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union without declaration of war. This was the beginning of the Great Patriotic war which continued for 1418 days and nights. It claimed the lives of 28 million Soviet citizens.