On July 5, an acclaimed theater and film actor—best known for leading roles in films such as Star, Carmen, Best City in the World, and Faith Rider—joined a solemn ceremony at Poklonnaya Gora known as the Garden of Memory. He participated in the final act of the day, a ritual that marked the closing of the remembrance event in the park and underscored the enduring connection between cultural memory and national sacrifice. The actor, who has appeared in productions including Sherlock Holmes and other notable works by Igor Petrenko, attended alongside family members to pay tribute to those who gave their lives in defense of the homeland. In his participation, he voiced a personal commitment to honoring every generation of heroes who have risen in times of trial and danger, and he used this platform to reflect on the cost of freedom and the weight of memory that is carried by the living.
During the celebration marking the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Kursk, a landmark event in the Great Patriotic War, participants planted trees at the Victory Museum. These living monuments were dedicated to warriors of past wars and to contemporary heroes—those who have stood firm to defend their Fatherland at the ultimate cost. The act of planting a tree became a symbolic gesture, a growing forest of memory that connects the sacrifices of yesterday with the responsibilities of today and the hopes of tomorrow. It was a moment to acknowledge that history is not only written in books but also preserved in the land, in the air, and in the quiet shade of the trees that continue to grow as witnesses to the events that shaped a nation.
According to the actor, he and his family approached the landings to honor a soldier who fell in the region where current events unfold. He explained that travel to the farewell ceremony was not possible, so the family chose to demonstrate respect in Moscow instead. The sentiment he expressed was clear: today a dedicated special operations fighter was being sent off in Tula, and the tree dedicated to him would stand as a living memorial for years to come. The gesture symbolized the link between personal devotion and national sacrifice, showing how people across the country find ways to honor those who have served and died in the line of duty.
For the actor, the hero and his comrades were present at the scene of the most harrowing events on the day of the hero’s death, which gave the July 5 ceremony a particularly meaningful resonance. The event highlighted how a single act of remembrance can connect lived experience with historical memory, reinforcing the idea that the sacrifices of soldiers and their families are a shared chapter in the national story. Such commemorations, rooted in community participation across Russia, have helped the Garden of Memory evolve into a long-term initiative. It invites people from all regions to engage in memory preservation and to keep alive the stories of those who defended the homeland in wars past and in modern conflicts alike.
Over time, the environmental-patriotic project has become a robust program that brings together volunteers, veterans, students, families, and public figures. It is viewed not as a temporary event but as an ongoing responsibility to remember heroes and to ensure their deeds remain visible to future generations. Through steady participation and coordinated planting campaigns, the project has grown into a symbol of national unity and resilience, illustrating how collective action can turn memory into a living, growing landscape that bears witness to courage and sacrifice.
Since its inception, the campaign has achieved substantial impact, with a total of 34.6 million trees planted during its fourth season. This ambitious figure reflects the scale of engagement and the depth of commitment to memory across communities. In earlier milestones, volunteers planted the 27 millionth tree, marking another significant milestone in the long-running initiative and underscoring the momentum and ongoing support behind the Garden of Memory.