It was quite an impressive display in Moscow's Red Square,
but that was to be expected, and I'm sure it was similarly admirable in the
other 22 cities of the country where the same ceremony was held, possibly on a
smaller scale. I wouldn't have imagined an inferior show of such an important
event in Moscow, considering the historical significance of the representation –
the 68th Anniversary of their defeat in World War II, most commonly
referred to in Russia as the Great Patriotic War. For the past week lapels,
breast pockets, car antennas, handles on ladies’ purses, as well as murses, and any other possible
place they could be appended, have been adorned with orange and
black-striped ribbons in commemoration of Victory Day.
It had been announced that military representatives from the
United States and France would be joining the Russian Army in this very festive
event, and going to Red Square to witness it first-hand had been on my mind.
However, I chickened out at the last minute anticipating the crowds and, as one
of my colleagues had earlier warned me, to avoid the drunken revelers. And so
it was that I stayed home to watch the hour-long televised version which was
every bit as good, and needless to say, more comfortable. Media sources stated
that preparations for the event had started shortly after the end of the New
Year holidays, around January, guaranteeing precision and perfection.
On another noter, the Hockey World Championship taking place jointly in
Helsinki and Stockholm has been going on these days. Chances had it that Russia
was playing Germany, giving way to a lot of interesting comments from my
Russian colleagues. That Russia beat Germany in this tournament, 7-0 on May 5th,
scarcely a week ago did not help the German cause at all. Back at work on
Monday May 6th, after the long break, the water cooler conversation
did not only cover the current, momentous athletic event, it went as far back as
to the 1972 Cup that Canada had refused to give to the Soviet Union to take
back home after losing in the finals. One of my Russian colleagues tells the
story of how Canadian citizens, ashamed of what had happened, pitched in, had a
trophy of identical dimensions and quality made, and sent it to the, at the
time, Soviet team as an apology. Canadians defended their cause, as did
Russians, both very vehemently by the coffee machine. I listened fervently, but stayed away from the
debate.
Before it started, footage of Tverskaya Street lined up with
all the military vehicles which were to take part in the parade was shown, as
well as Red Square, where the men who would be marching ceremoniously in a few
minutes waited for orders with their musical instruments, weapons and flags
held in white-gloved hands. The commentator informed the audience that 800
musicians and 11,000 participants would be marching in the parade through Red
Square. A young soldier interviewed about his views and sentiments prior to the
whole set up said it was a great event in which he had the honor to take part
in. He also said, “the drive you feel
is an incomparable experience” inviting the audience to enjoy the show. He was
not wrong.
A few minutes to ten, the President and his Prime Minister
arrived, shaking hands with military dignitaries before taking their seats in
the stands. The commentator made an announcement, and at exactly ten o’clock as
the clock on Spasskaya Tower in the Kremlin showed, it started to chime. After
ten chimes, there was perfect silence and stillness for a few seconds in Red
Square, and then the commentator announced the arrival of the parade commander
and the minister of defense. The troops
were shown to make a left turn carrying their rifles in both hands, immediately
after which two open top, black official cars moving in synchronicity made their
appearance into Red Square, with the parade commander and the minister of defense
on board, standing in salute. The parade commander greeted and congratulated
the members of all the forces receiving three “hurrahs” in response from them.
The greeting was repeated with land, sea and air forces. That done, he stepped
out of the vehicle, walked up the stairs, took off his right glove, shook the
President’s hand and informed him the parade was ready to begin.
The President in turn made a speech littered with words such
as victory, defense, tragedy, life, loss, defeat, greatness, happiness, well-being, respect,
prosperity, thanking all their grandfathers and fathers for their contribution
to building their great nation into a strong Russia, and wished the
circumstances of the events which led to this commemoration would not be
repeated. He ended his speech with a “hurrah” to all, to which he received three
thunderous “hurrahs” in response, resonating powerfully throughout Red Square.
The speech and responses over, the Russian national anthem reverberated
solemnly in Red Square as all listened quietly, respectfully.
The national anthem was followed by the military band which started
playing a marching tune, horns started blaring and the parade of companies and
battalions began. A small company carrying small plain, red flags as well as
that of the Russian Federation inaugurated the march, and the band followed the
car carrying the minister of defense as he saluted his subordinates. The
formations filed by, rifles up, elbows at an angle, legs straight, raised and
lowered in rhythm, on and off the cobble stones of Red Square.
The commentator was impressive. The effect of his deep, bass
voice as he described the different participants marching by could be seen on
the hairs on my arms. The soldiers were followed by military tanks, helicopter
and airplane displays and smoke planes letting out colors symbolizing the flag
of the Russian Federation – red, blue and white. Veterans with not enough room
left on their uniforms for any more brass also marched by happily, and some in
the stands had the honor of receiving bouquets of red carnations from the
younger generation. Mr. President was clearly enjoying the show as he appeared on
screen exchanging a chuckle with a military officer on his right. And he should
be. The weather had cleared up for the event. Last year it had been pouring.
A few minutes before 11, the President left his seat, walked
down the steps with the parade commander in tow onto the square to shake hands
with a few chosen veterans. At exactly eleven o'clock, as the clock on the tower
showed, there were 11 chimes which brought an end to the display on TV. I
presumed people would start dispersing in Red Square and the throngs would make
it to the metro stations which would eventually open, closed for the event.
Parks will be filled with picnickers on this bright sunny day and the major
arteries which had been cut off for rehearsals for several days will be open
again for normal traffic, bringing an end to the holidays we've had in May – a total
of five days in two weeks.
Last week, May 1st was a holiday, celebrated with
several May Day parades in different neighborhoods. Apartment buildings were
decked in red, blue and white Russian Federation flags, and there were
fireworks at night. The week before, I’d seen people selling willow branches
for Palm Sunday. The sales had continued throughout the week, as had loaves of kulichi in the grocery stores –
panettone in other places, to be consumed on Easter Sunday. Those three holidays and the
weekend gave us all a very long, well-deserved break which many used to go
abroad in search of sun, some still are. I had wanted to explore Russia but was
put off by the cold, wet weather then.
At 6.55 pm today, all TV channels tuned in to show the tomb of the Unknown Soldier where a speech was made in memory of all the departed, all our loved ones. After the speech, the anchor requested a minute of silence as the clock on the Kremlin Tower chimed seven times. Total silence after that, as the flame on the tomb of the unknow soldier burned vividly. "This is the evening memorial to the victims of our beloved nation." And that concluded the ceremony.
