Cuba: Solemn parade to celebrate 78th anniversary of Victory Day over fascism

Soviet Red Army soldiers celebrate their victory in Berlin, the last stronghold of Nazi Germany in World War II, on May 9, 1945. (Photo: International Archives/VNA)

Russian citizens in Cuba and many local residents marched together on May 7 to celebrate the 78th anniversary of the end of the Soviet People's Great Patriotic War and Victory Day over fascism (May 9, 1945 - May 9, 2023).

According to a VNA reporter in Havana, Russian and Cuban people in Havana wore the Georgi ribbon - also known as the Victory ribbon - a symbol of honoring courage and remembering heroes, holding up pictures of those who fought to win the victory over Nazi Germany and protect the integrity of Russia.

The parade also paid tribute to Cuban soldiers who joined the Red Army during the Great Patriotic War of the Soviet People, notably rifle platoon commander Enrique Vilar (1925-1945) who fell in the fight for the liberation of Poland, soldier Aldo Vivó (1924-1943) who died fighting the Nazis during the siege of Leningrad (present-day Saint Petersburg), and his brother Jorge who survived after being seriously wounded and was evacuated to Kazakhstan.

Russian Ambassador to Cuba Vítor Koronelli highlighted the significance of the celebration and stressed that to reach Victory Day, the Soviet people had to endure great sacrifices, losses and irreparable damages.

The war claimed the lives of about 27 million Soviet people, of which nearly 9 million Red Army soldiers fell on Victory Day. Therefore, Victory Day has always been the most sacred and noble holiday for generations of Russian people in particular and humanity in general.

Every year, to commemorate and pay tribute to the former Soviet Red Army soldiers, Russia and many former Soviet republics celebrate Victory Day on May 9./.

Mai Phuong (Vietnam News Agency/Vietnam+)

Source link