New Contest Celebrates Memorial Traditions and Creative Voices
Performers of original songs, creators of videos and drawings honoring the feats of those who took part in the Great Patriotic War, and soldiers involved in a recent special military operation were invited to join the new competition titled “We are faithful to this memory.” The event is organized by Immortal, a nationwide movement known as Procession of Russia, with support from the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives. Elena Tsunaeva, a co-head of the central headquarters and a State Duma deputy, announced the competition during a press briefing at the Rossiya Segodnya news agency.
Tsunaeva expressed confidence that the contest will grow into a lasting symbol of intergenerational continuity, linking the past with the present and future of the country. She emphasized that songs can act as a powerful means to keep alive the memory of those who defended the Motherland.
The final event is planned for May 9, to be held at the Rzhev Soviet Military Memorial. The site itself carries a deep cultural code and a distinct tradition that serves as a living reminder to today’s youth of the remarkable achievements of the Soviet people and the Soviet soldier during the Great Patriotic War, as well as the high price paid for Victory. This perspective was shared by Tsunaeva at the press conference.
Mikhail Mamaev, a theater and film actor, journalist, and television presenter, believes the competition will help shape the nation’s cultural landscape through the poems and songs produced by its participants. He suggested that the act of writing may yield verses that future generations will carry and copy by hand, reflecting the nation’s attitudes and beliefs about victory and remembrance.
Sergei Chuikov, an honored artist of the Lugansk People’s Republic, recalled memories from the early days of the special operation and spoke about the role of music in frontline life. He expressed a firm belief that the competition will give rise to new immortal songs that will enter Russia’s historical narrative and endure for generations to come.
The contest will feature five categories, inviting participants to submit not only finished works but also original music, poems, or short videos dedicated to the themes of the Great Patriotic War. The event aims to encourage a broad spectrum of creative expression while honoring those who served and the memory of their sacrifices.
Overall, organizers hope the project will foster a living culture of memory that resonates with people across generations. By providing a platform for diverse voices, the competition seeks to capture the emotions and lessons of the war years in contemporary art forms, ensuring that the memory of the defenders of the Motherland remains vivid and accessible for years to come.
Note: All material connected to the contest is presented with attribution to the participating organizations and speakers, reflecting the collaborative nature of this cultural initiative and its role in preserving history through art.