People began to gather at the Dinamo metro station at noon. Someone took out the columns with photos of their relatives on the escalator, others already carefully kept the portraits in bags on the street, afraid to get wet in the drizzle.
TV crews grabbed the most colorful participants in the procession at the exit of the metro – in tunics and other outfits from the past. Groups of people who want to get into the frame instantly are formed around the interviewees.
Soon a strong wind rose on Leningradsky Prospekt, and the people, without waiting for the official start of the procession, went to the Belorusskaya metro station to Tverskaya Zastava.
In the middle of the street, the participants of the procession were met by Sergei, an activist of the People’s Liberation Movement (NOD). A 60-year-old man distributed leaflets heralding “a decisive battle for the country’s independence”. In addition to the movement’s usual calls to abandon the “colonial constitution”, the newsletter contained some advice on how to defeat the “NATO war machine”.
“I feel anxiety,” Sergey replied to the socialbites.ca correspondent’s question about the sensations from the vacation.
“Our country is fighting Nazism in Ukraine. We once won a great victory together with the Ukrainians. And now behind the Nazis is the organized West, represented by the United States and its satellites. We have to win this fight.”
The activist also spoke of patriotism.
“This is the quality that allows you to determine the importance of the object, accept it as it is in the here and now, and take responsibility for it. We must create, protect and prepare for transformation for the Motherland. If all this exists in the country, it is love. And just kissing birch trees is not enough, ”said Sergey.
Not far from the NOD activist, an old woman was distributing the proletarian newspaper Mysl. On the front page is an article by Vladimir Lenin about the tenth anniversary of the newspaper Pravda, dated May 5, 1922. Passers-by eagerly distributed the publication.
What participants said
Throughout the journey, Muscovites and those who joined the procession from other regions (and sometimes countries) were accompanied by the music of the war years. Most of the time it was the voice of Mark Bernes. The organizers decided on two compositions – “Cranes” and “Scavs …”. They listened to Valentina Tolkunova and Nina Urgant on their “Belorusskaya” march.
From the smell of the buckwheat porridge cooked in the field kitchens, it is understood that the metro stations are approaching. There were also musical ensembles that performed military songs – where it was not possible to install screens or speakers.
Among the marchers there were those who came out of curiosity – without a family history of the Great Patriotic War. For example, two students from Uzbekistan, Vlad and Timur, have been living in the Russian capital for the first year.
“Today we erected the Immortal Regiment for the first time. We really enjoyed it, it is a very emotional holiday. Usually we were told that the tanks were coming. We thought what would happen if we looked at the equipment, ”he said in an interview with socialbites.ca.
Student Daria also came to the parade for the first time. While describing her impressions, she talks about being proud of the country and its people.
“It’s good to see so many people come out and join the parade. My great-grandparents fought. The procession came spontaneously – I do not like large crowds of people. But this time my mom and I decided to come. It seems to me that this is one of the most important holidays of our country,” he said.
Another athlete, 75-year-old Viktor Kudryavtsev, joined the march in memory of his father.
“My father worked in the Kremlin for a quarter of a century: he protected Stalin and Voroshilov, he went through the Finnish War. During the Great Patriotic War he worked in the office of the Kremlin command, but he also had many difficulties. May 9 is my holiday. There are a lot of dead in the family – how lucky in life. But I always look forward to this holiday, every year I prepare for it, ”said Kudryavtsev.
President is expected
Approaching 15:00 at the intersection of Tverskaya Street and Gazetny Lane, the procession stopped. The organizers were waiting for Vladimir Putin, who personally attended the event.
In the rare moments when it was not raining, people began a serious “cheers” and exchanged views on the current military-political situation in the world. Often the speeches ended with demonstrations.
One woman jokingly offered to walk to Washington – the crowd did not support her impulse. “It’s a long journey to Washington,” said an elderly participant in the parade.
While waiting for the show, Tverskaya residents (or residents’ guests) went out onto the balconies and waved flags from the windows. The crowd responded with applause.