On the occasion of the 78th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, the northernmost Victory Parade in the world was held in the Svalbard archipelago. It has been reported DEA News”.
It was noted that a wreath laying ceremony and a parade of automotive equipment were held in the archipelago in Barentsburg. “For the first time in the history of the new Russia, the leadership of the Arktikugol trust planned and successfully held the parade of automotive equipment of the Russian coal company on May 9 to highlight the unity with Russia on this memorable day. The absolutely peaceful nature of the Russian presence in Svalbard”, News Consul General Andrey Chemerilo in the archipelago quoted from the RIA.
as reported telegraph channel More than fifty cars, special equipment, snowmobiles of the Federal State Unitary Enterprise Arktikugol, accompanied by an MI8-MVT helicopter, paraded through Russian settlements in the Svalbard archipelago – Barentsburg and Pyramiden. Participants in the parade were greeted by locals and foreign guests.
Also, in the far north of the world, a concert based on the poem “Vasily Terkin” by Alexander Tvardovsky, which Russian polar explorers prepared on their own, was held. The audience sang “Victory Day”, the last song standing.
Also, the participants of the parade visited the WWII memorial Sleipner cannon, which was installed near the Russian village in honor of the Norwegian defenders of Barentsburg, who died during the attack of the Nazi fleet in September 1943. A memorial service was held there, attended by the Consul General himself, FSUE Arktikugol General Director Ildar Neverov, Barentsburg Mine Director Konstantin Turinsky and residents of the Russian village.
As Chemerilo points out, Norwegians have not had a traditional participation in the commemoration events in Barentsburg for the second year.