Page

Celebrating a World Without Wars:

Russian Victory Day — May 9th, 2018.

By Koozma J. Tarasoff, May 9, 2018 — Link: goo.gl/QNy64m 

Today was the 73rd anniversary of the end of World War II, celebrated annually as a national holiday in the Former Soviet Union called Victory Day — Den Pobedy : День Победы. In Russia this sacred holiday was celebrated in 26 major cities and most FSU countries. Canada and other allied countries celebrate V-E Day, while Russians abroad celebrate Victory Day.

Image from the 1-hour video on Channel 1.

This years’ event involved thousands of soldiers, hundreds of musicians, a marching band, an emotional speech by President Vladimir Putin, a display of new military weapons, veterans, and hundreds of thousands of citizens carrying photos of relatives who died saving humanity from Nazi occupation. The celebration ended with fireworks at night.

About 27 million Soviet and Russian heroes lost their lives during the war to defend their heritage. This day is a dedication to prevent this from happening to a new generation. As President Putin said, the Russians will rightfully not allow others to invade their sovereign territory; nor has it any interest to invade another country. For this, Russia deserves to be respected as one of the equal and legitimate world leaders.

Peace Activist for Russia?

Some peace activists may wonder why I, a peace activist, am interested in what appears to be a  Russian military parade, because annually since 2009 I have joined in demonstrating against our CANSEC military sales shows held in Ottawa, Canada and posted 8 anti-military photo-stories.

My ancestors are from Russia. I have been to Russia many times, and pay attention to Russian news. I am a friend to Russia and Russians. I know that this parade begs for a nonkilling world for future generations. Most Westerners do not understand that Russians just want to be respected as equals in the world and they do not want war. We need to join them as partners working towards a world without wars.

Russian Victory Day in Canada

Russians in Canada, and around the world, in small groups celebrate Victory Day as they did in Russia. A few news articles have appeared for Edmonton, Toronto (photos), Ottawa, …

Last year the The Russian Congress of Canada, Toronto, representing Russian-Canadians, sent a letter (May 23, 2017) to Members of Parliament, Ottawa:

Appeal to the Members of Canadian Parliament to denounce attempts to besmirch the collective memories of the Great Victory over German Nazism and to stop falsification of history

I agree with the spirit of this appeal, as does President Putin who who further emphasizes world peace.

Putin’s Victory Day Speech, 2018

We will never let this happen. … New threats bear the same old ugly features: selfishness and intolerance, aggressive nationalism and claims to exclusiveness.… Russia is open for dialogue on all issues related to ensuring global security; it is ready for a constructive equal partnership for the sake of agreement, peace and progress on the planet.  (73rd anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945, Red Square, 11:10 am, May 9, 2018, President of Russia, Event, Transcripts of Speeches.)

His comments reflect his ‘Presidential Address to the Federal Assembly’, Manezh Central Exhibition Hall, Moscow, March 1, 2018, 2 p.m.:

… we have never had any plans to use this potential for offensive, let alone aggressive goals.  We are not threatening anyone, not going to attack anyone or take away anything from anyone with the threat of weapons.... I deem it ... is a solid guarantee of global peace .…

Russians Speak to the West

This morning (May 9th, 2018) the Ukrainian-Russian international illustrator and cartoonist Alexey Talimonov, Tula, Russia, sent a welcome letter to Canada with the following greetings about Victory Day:

Translation: Please accept my sincere congratulations on a great holiday — Victory Day! This holiday has become a symbol of heroism of our people, its steadfastness and indomitable spirit of invincibility! Careful attitude of the older generation to the fate of their homeland should be a shining example for all patriotic forces and the people's faith!

The veterans paid a great price for the victory, with many people today no longer with us! But we are mindful of their military glory! I wish you health, warmth, attention and care of loved ones! May the sky be always peaceful, and may the sun shine brightly!

Nadia Volgina, a Russian-born journalist and cultural activist living in Ottawa, Canada, wrote this on her Facebook page:

Translation: Here in a NATO country, our Victory Day holiday is perceived differently. The attitude of Canadians, immigrants, and even many compatriots to the great gains of the Soviet people is disheartening .... not everyone is happy with our great victory, such as one Hungarian at my workplace who does not celebrate the defeat of fascist Germany. He misses the empire, apparently.

On the streets, our people live a colorful international life, you can say. Seeing the banner of victory and Russian symbols on my car, in front of our holiday race, came a Syrian who warmly thanks all Russians, and ‘personally Putin, of course’, for Russia's assistance to his country. He speaks sincerely, as one who knows the horrors of war... and his hand is shaking as if I personally liberated Aleppo! Very touching.

And the young German from the next house always clarifies what's going on? I tell him about World War II and how we got to Berlin. He rightly says that his grandfather fought as well,  but for the Germans, on Hitler's side. And how should I respond?

We're for peace, of course! Because my father, a war hero, defended his homeland, so it is so important today that our children will never have to survive this horror.  God forbid... Never!! The German has three children, sons of our friends, boys here do not have to serve in the Army.  Yes and society is peaceful, the country is young. And he and his wife agree — yes, we're all Canadians, and that's important).

I really want to believe that the Germans, Syrians and Belorussians on our street are peaceful but not naive people, and friendly to all in word and deed. We grew up in the belief that human beings are capable of being  friends, comrades and brothers in a peaceful world! May there always be sunshine!

It’s best that I don't talk politics with them.

Happy great victory, friends!

Victory Day mural slogan in downtown Moscow: "The world that was saved remembers."

The Russians who paid such a high price for the victory in World War II do not want war! All countries should respect Russia for its great sacrifice and continued attention to the health of future generations. We all need to recognize the Russians as people for peace with their own version of democracy.

Putin said: ‘Russia is open for dialogue on … Peace’. 

May There Always Be Sunshine

When Putin was 10 years old, in 1962, a song was composed using a refrain first spoken in 1928 by a 4-year old Russian boy. This became a very popular Soviet era children’s song about a yearning for lasting peace has been sung by every Russian dozens of times since, including the President. It was performed during the 2014 Winter Olympics opening ceremony.   

‘May There Always Be Sunshine... expresses the yearning for lasting peace by millions of people .... In war, the lyrics say, there are no winners. For our sake, and especially for our children's sake, we must achieve peace and remove the dark clouds that now cover the sun.’  

A non-literal English translation by Tom Botting mentioned ‘peace’ 3 times, and anti-war 3 times.  

Peace is the dream of the people
War would make all of us losers
Peace is our prize
Down with all war! We want no more.
Sing, everyone, Peace must be won,

A more literal translation by John Woodsworth (below) shows one anti-war line:

Say not to gore, say no to war,  

The Victory Day parade is really a reminder that the sun should continue to shine brightly on all.

Poster by artist Aleksei Kokorekin issued for May Day 1960 celebrations, which inspired the song.

 

Respect for Russia

Comments  send to kjtarasoff@gmail.com

  1. Ed Lehman, Regina, Sask. May 26, 2018.
    Thank you for continuing to write about the sacrifices made by the Soviet people in World War 2. Sadly, this is news to many Canadians. Without such knowledge it is too easy for Canadians to accept the lies from south of the border or the rubbish pushed from Global Affairs Canada meant to rationalize preparations to attack Russia.
    (See Ed’s article:     Making Peace with Russia, Saskatchewan Peace News, Regina Peace Council, May 2018.)
  2. Larry Ewashen, Castlegar, British Columbia. May 26, 2018.
    A timely reminder that it was not the U S that defeated the Nazis — they were latecomers in the war effort and profited immensely from the conflict, going on to mythologize, with aid of Hollywood, the U S triumph over Hitler: the facts speak otherwise.
  3. Andrew Donskov, Ottawa, Ontario. May 27, 2018.  
    May God give you, Koozma, many many more years! You are carrying on with most noble work. SPASIBO!
  4. John Woodsworth, Ottawa, Ontario. May 27, 2018.
    Thank you for your latest blog. I am attaching a verse translation of "Пусть всегда будет солнце" I made back in 2005.  Please feel free to use it on your site, if you wish. Счастливо!

5. Robert J. Burrowes, Australia. May 27, 2018.

I have read your latest distribution with great interest. As you note,

few westerners are aware of the Russian sacrifices in WWII and even

fewer have any significant understanding of Russia and Russians. A great

Pity.

Anyway, I thought I would send you the invitation below (following your

email distribution to me). For a world without violence; Robert. See

‘The People’s Charter to Create a Nonviolent World’.

6. Lawrence Klippenstein, Winnipeg, Manitoba. May 28, 2018.

Thanks much for the release and info you mailed out, Koozma. We get those from local sources too, of course, and try to get rough sketches of what is developing in various countries of the world. Now, naturally, eyes are being directed to the upcoming summit in Asia, with Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump.

Perhaps I could add something else here. Our family had a little get together this past weekend in Hamilton, ON. It brought to mind a meeting long ago held there at McMaster University — workshops [at the Learned Societies of Canada] that included sections (Canadian Slavic Society perhaps) on Russian peace studies, I think they were. If my memory serves me right, you and I both had papers we read there at the time. Does that ring a bell for you?  [Yes, I presented a paper on ‘Opening Doors for Survival’ during the Cold War’.]

We have family living in Stratford who met us in the Marriott Hotel in Hamilton, used regularly by Westjet personnel in their layovers. My daughter in law is a flight attendant for Westjet so she could arrange all of this quite expertly, and things went well. I guess you travel to Winnipeg now and then, though possibly not recently. I live with people here in a seniors assistance residence which includes people from the Dauphin area (Gilbert Plains in particular) and they tell us now and then of a visit to Verigin in eastern Saskatchewan not too far from Dauphin, and getting somewhat acquainted there with Doukhobor communities.

I have an ongoing contact with Dr.William Yoder, a journalist working in Moscow in recent years, though now retiring to the Kaliningrad area, if I am right. Not sure you have received his releases concentrating mostly on religious issues in the former Soviet Union.

I am still circulating copies of my book on Peace and War, and Mennonite COs in Russia and the Soviet Union. I think I sent you a copy and you may have done a short review of it somewhere. If so, let me know….

Spirit-Wrestlers.com