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© Sputnik / Sergey Pivovarov
Sputnik Lithuania, May 09, 2020. Participants of the videoconference “USSR: VICTORIOUS TOGETHER – for Peace and Creation” represented most of the post-Soviet countries. They discussed the falsification of history, shared positive experiences and joined the online song marathon “Music of Victory”.
The conference was organized by the Foundation “Eurasians - New Wave”, the International Union of non-governmental organizations Eurasian Peoples’ Assembly”, the Club of Regional Experts of Kyrgyzstan “Pikir” and a number of other public organizations from the former USSR. Scientists, public figures, politicians and diplomats met in an online format.
“People, despite different conditions in different countries, celebrate the Victory Day today. This is a global event,” - said Mikhail Fedorov, Deputy Secretary General of the Eurasian Peoples’ Assembly. – In Russia, 2020 was declared the Year of Memory and Glory, an anniversary medal was established, and a parade was held. But in other countries attempts of falsification and rewriting of history often happen.”
“Now we need to teach people to draw conclusions about what is fake and what is real,” - said Alexander Khrebtov, representative of Belarus, Deputy Director of the research and education Centre for Eurasian Economic Integration and Development of the State University of management.
Fakes about the last terrible war are now becoming the state policy of many States.
“Look at the campaign launched in the media and social networks to discredit our victory over fascism,” - said Yuri Anufriev, President of the “Eurasians - New Wave” Foundation. - Some politicians and pseudo-political scientists accuse the USSR of colluding with Hitler's Germany.
I would like to recall the words of Churchill: “no government could have withstood such terrible, cruel wounds that Hitler inflicted on Russia, but the Soviets not only survived and recovered from these wounds, but also dealt Hitler a blow of such power that no other army in the world could have inflicted.”
Yuri Anufriev recalled yesterday's statement by German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas that Germany alone unleashed the Second World War by attacking Poland and Germany alone is responsible for crimes against humanity.
Although the Great Patriotic war ended 75 years ago, it still concerns too many people, and too many do not like its results, enshrined in international agreements.
“They are trying to drag us to our national apartments,” - said Nikolai Udovichenko, Russia's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Kyrgyzstan. - These attempts become a challenge to be reckoned with and fought. We should not be allowed to live in a dispersed environment. The lesson of collectivism is something to remember. Only our collective beginning allowed us to avoid spreading the ideas of fascism.”
The diplomat believes that now more than ever there is a problem of falsification of history, many are trying to rehabilitate Nazism.
In a number of post-Soviet countries, the rewriting of historical facts takes place at the level of the country's leadership.
“It seems that the war did not end in Riga,” - said Miroslav Mitrofanov, co - Chairman of the Russian Union of Latvia political party. - I would like someone from the country's ruling parties to be in my place at this videoconference. But these people have never celebrated Victory ay, at least in the last 30 years.”
Of particular concern to the Latvian politician is the resolution of the Sejm adopted last fall, which actually equates the Nazis and the USSR.
“Two representatives of Russian parties voted for this resolution. Only the Head of our party Tatyana Zhdanok was against, - Miroslav Mitrofanov reported. “Then we were comforted: “nothing will happen.” In fact, this resolution had a continuation. A few days ago, the Sejm approved a law equating the ban on Soviet uniforms with the Nazi uniform. The President sent the law back, but not to repeal it, but to tighten it so that it would not be possible to use the form at commemorative events on May 9.”
“On May 9, 150 thousand people gathered at the monument to the Soviet soldiers-liberators in Riga, and on official holidays - at most 1500. This awakens anger, a desire for revenge. Flowers were laid this morning. Dozens and hundreds of people came to the monument.”
The representative of Lithuania, Chairman of The Institute of Military Heritage Iurijus Traksjalis expressed concern about the preservation of military graves of Soviet army soldiers on the territory of the Republic.
“The celebration is also taking place in Moldova under difficult conditions,” - said Sergey Nazarenko, Chairman of the Public Association “Cadet Brotherhood” in Chisinau. - Not only the coronavirus hinders, but also the socio-political situation. Many people find it hard to pronounce the words Victory Day, celebrate Europe day. However, there are more sane and progressive forces.”
Irina Melnik, Director of the “Russian Television of Moldova” Company, confirmed this thesis.
“Despite the virus, at this moment the National Assembly Square is filled with retro cars and flags. This morning in Moldova, the President and the Speaker of the Parliament laid flowers, - said Irina Melnik. - It is impossible to divide the people. Many Moldovans treat the holiday with trepidation. Work continues on the restoration of monuments in Moldova. Nine large memorial complexes will be put in order. Many monuments are being restored with the help of Russian regions. The Moldovan people remember, honour and will never betray their ancestors who died freeing our land from the brown plague.”
Of course, not every country's leadership seeks to rewrite history in favour of the current political situation. In the Republic of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Armenia, the celebration of the Great Victory is held at a decent level, veterans receive assistance and government grants, and monuments are maintained at a decent level.
The Victory anniversary, as the conference participants noted, is not only a celebration of peace, but also a starting point for the formation of a new paradigm of human relations based on good neighbourliness, mutual understanding and interaction.
In the final of the conference, its participants joined the Song Marathon “Music of Victory”, performing the song “Victory Day” at exactly 2 p.m. This performance claims to be an all-Russian record.
Lev Ryzhkov