Victory Day in Hrodna


On May 9, citizens of Hrodna took place in the rally carrying photos of relatives who fought in the Second World War. Some of them had photos of unknown people.

This year there was no parade but a rally on the 72th anniversary of Victory in the WW2. Two thousand people marched through the city with portraits of the Second World War participants, who are no longer alive. Majority of the participants were students or employees of large enterprises, who were made to go there. Anyone who did not have a photo of relative fighting in the war could get a picture on the spot of a completely unknown person.

“I do not know who is in the photo, said a ninth-grader. – We were given these photos by our head teacher…”

Hrodna rally. Vasil Mauchanau / Belsat

Participation in the rally is an honor for many Hrodna citizens.

There were those who participated voluntarily, carrying a portrait of their relative. Svyatlana holds a portrait of her grandfather, who was in the army as a private, survived in the war and was awarded the Order of World War II. The photo was printed on plain white A4 paper.

Hrodna rally. Vasil Mauchanau / Belsat

One of the pensioners complained that the distribution of pictures of unknown people discredited the rally: “People came with photos of their relatives to honor their memory, and heads of the local authorities brought children with the portraits.”

Hrodna rally. Vasil Mauchanau / Belsat

Mikola Dzyamidau

TWITTER