Victory Day/ Den Pobedi 9th May

The 9th May is when Russia celebrates VE Day. For them, though, this is the end of what is seen as the "Great Patriotic War" (1941-1945) rather than WW2 and earlier or later military action (Baltics, Japan) is viewed as something separate.

This is one of the biggest celebrations of the year in Russia and is a national holiday, so people are off work too and free to attend the parades, which many of all ages do. It's a time when war veterans are especially remembered and there are social programmes around 9th May in which gifts and extra help is given to those participated.  The country becomes awash with the orange and black-striped ribbon of St. George and with large banners celebrating the victory, as well as a string of war films on TV. Events take place across the country ranging from concerts, firework displays and the show of military might in Red Square, Moscow.

The events do mark the huge losses suffered by the Soviet Union, 25+ million soldiers and civilians died, far more than any other nation [compare the UK and US, each lost under half a million people]. However, the main focus is on the defeat of Nazism, making the day more of a celebration with its gala concerts and popular songs, which are either mournful, such as Cranes/ Zhuravli...

Get your hankies ready...

A song made more poignant for being the last one recorded by the 

popular Marc Bernes, who was terminally ill at the time of recording.

or cheering the victory, Victory Day...

Lev Leschenko made the song his own with this arrangement, 

which the authorities disapproved of at the time for being unconventional!