On May 9th, Chelyabinsk once again joined the all -Russian campaign called the Immortal Regiment March. For the first time since 2022, the procession took place in a traditional in-person format. Together with our whole country, students, academic and administrative staff of South Ural State University carried portraits of heroes of the Great Patriotic War along the streets of our native city.
The celebration began in front of the SUSU main building, where the festive program took place. Young artists performed their favourite songs of the war years, creating a special, touching atmosphere of the upcoming procession.
The column of the Immortal Regiment March was formed at the walls of the university and proceeded to the Revolution Square. The participants held photographs of those who forged victory at the cost of incredible efforts. Among those who participated were children, grandchildren and great -grandchildren of heroes, including the youngest Chelyabinsk citizen, for whom the memory of the feat of their ancestors became a family relic.
“The Immortal Regiment March is the memory of our history, our country, and our families. Each Russian family has its own heroes who gave their life and health so that we can live in a free and strong country, as it is today. Therefore, so that we continue to exist as a nation, as a state, it is extremely important for us to honour, remember and be proud of our history. And, of course, it is important to remember and be proud of your relatives and friends. In my opinion, May 9th is the most important holiday in our country. And I am sincerely glad that this year the Immortal Regiment once again has been in an in-person format. This is a right thing to do: to walk together, shoulder to shoulder, with the heroes of your family, with our whole country in this great and touching column of memory,” said Vice-Rector for Student and Social Affairs Anton Manuylov.
During the last 3 years the Immortal Regiment was held in an online format. Portraits of soldiers could be seen not only during the broadcast on the official website, but also on media screens on the streets, in shopping centres. So it was all over our country. This year the march has resumed in the in-person form in only 45 regions of our country.
“The main meaning of the Immortal Regiment March is that people must remember at what cost our victory and peaceful sky were won. We must unite, feel this connection of generations, and live, keeping this memory,” shared Viktoriia Simonova, the march participant, 1st year student of the SUSU School of Economics and Management.
The Immortal Regiment March reminds each campaign participant about the heroes of the Great Patriotic War: veterans of the army and navy, homefront workers and partisans, prisoners of fascist camps, siege survivors, and resistance fighters − about all those who made their personal contribution to the common cause of victory over fascism. The mission of the campaign is crucial: it maintains a living connection of the times, passing the baton of memory from the generation of victors to their descendants.