Minsk, Belarus

Victory Day (День Победы) Ceremony

May 9, 2016

Population: Minsk - 1.9 million

Belarus -  nearly 9.5 million

 

 

As the accredited Canadian Defense Attache, Craig was invited to participate in the Victory Day Ceremony in Minsk, Belarus on May 9th in Victory Square. What an experience it was for us both!

First of all, Victory Day is a holiday that commemorates the capitulation of Nazi Germany to the Soviet Union at the end of Second World War, known in the Soviet Union as the Great Patriotic War. It is celebrated on May 9th because the surrender document was signed in Berlin late in the evening on the 8th of May, 1945 (after midnight Moscow time). In Moscow, this is a huge celebration with a large tank parade (see pictures from last years post here in Moscow). It is also a time to remember those who have fallen. A very large procession (several hundred thousand) of people who have lost loved ones takes place. They hold up signs with pictures of loved ones who lost their lives in WW2. This year in Moscow, President Putin lead the remembrance movement procession. In Canada, we remember our fallen war heroes on November 11th with a solemn service, but it isn't an official holiday in Canada as Victory Day is in Russia and the former Soviet nations.

President Vladimir Putin holds a portrait of his father, war veteran Vladimir Spiridonovich Putin, while taking part in the Immortal Regiment march on Red Square on May 9, 2015.

 In 2015 it was the 70th celebration of Victory Day, so it was a big year with over 30 leaders (including China and India) attending the celebration (in Moscow) while Western leaders boycotted the ceremonies because of the Russian military intervention in Ukraine.

Here are some pictures from our experience in Minsk for the Victory Day ceremony and celebrations.

The night before the ceremony we at at"Vostoch-knee express" Restaurant in Minsk...very traditional Belarusian food.

It doesn't look very good, but it was tasty...forgot to take a picture BEFORE he started eating it.

My meal, which was also very flavorful.

Our bill! Have you ever paid 348,000 for dinner? LOL - The value of the Belarus ruble is approx. 15,000 to 1 Canadian dollar!

Victory Square on a normal day

 

Craig prior to the ceremony with other nations attaches....including from Belarus. One of the Belarusian military men let us know right before the ceremony that I would not be allowed into Victory Square with Craig. I was disappointed because if I was not on the square I would not be able to take very good photos of Craig and the ceremony....more on that.

So I was sent in through the security check with masses of people and wandered around to just outside of where the ceremony was to take place and then....

and then... I happened to be standing right next to where Craig and the other attaches were being escorted into Victory Square! I saw this other woman walking in (I thought she was a spouse), so I quickly took this picture and then started walking in behind Craig! I was promptly stopped by security asking me in Belarusian "who are you, you're not allowed".... I just replied (in Russian) "I am a Canadian Diplomat and he is my husband" and he let me go ahead. I was then stopped AGAIN, and my response was the same and they again let me through! Ballsy for a Canadian eh?

Waiting for the ceremony to proceed on Victory Square (Craig seen here with the Serbian Attache from Moscow that we know). The attaches formed a line behind the Ambassadors with a corridor in between them and I stood directly behind the Ambassadors so I could get some photos!

The Veteran crowd seated behind us...I just love seeing the mature veterans with all their medals.

Some of the crowd and you can see the young children holding those signs with fallen war heroes.

I tried to find out who this gentleman is, but alas, I am unable. Likely some government official.

Craig getting the Victory Day flowers pinned on him (by a beautiful, young girl, of course) along with everyone else (including me).

Lots of beautiful flowers around town including our pins.

Alexander Lukashenko, President of Belarus approaches the podium. He has been the only person who has served as president since the elections in 1994.

Very efficient and synchronized military band

President Lukashenko at the podium waiting for all the main wreaths to be laid. There were no announcements like we have in Canada where they say "And from Canadian Tire...". I like that they don't do that - don't need the recognition of who is laying the wreaths. Although....maybe the President did announce it and I just didn't understand Belarusian! lol

All the soldiers marching with wreaths were impressive as to the height of their legs, precision of their march and their neutral facial expressions.

The religious leaders walking up to lay their wreath

The president during his speech.

Attaches saluting during a part in the ceremony

The President's security detail appears to be eying me suspiciously as I take his photo! Doesn't he just look like a security guy in the movies!

The President after the ceremony as he approached to greet the Ambassadors - I was THAT close!

Hello Mr. President!

It was a beautiful, but hot day standing for the ceremony.

Craig and the other attaches showing their respect and laying their carnations

Highly decorated veteran...darn, he caught me taking his photo too!

All the attaches after the ceremony

After the ceremony before the sentries left their post

Victory Square following the ceremony

The beautiful "wreaths"

Craig afterwards with the Belarusian military officials...apparently they want my photos as I was the only photographer there... the only spouse! Oh ya, that reminds me, the other woman I saw going onto the square with the attaches was a TRANSLATOR, so I really shouldn't have been allowed on the square!

That's awesome! Remember these guys from childhood? They were posing on the main street after the ceremony - about 8 pm that night - just before the concert started.

A little bite to eat by Victory Square about 8:15 pm as the concert was going on. You can't see it too well, but there were wings, pork ribs, pork knuckles, fried bread sticks and...pigs ears! I don't recommend pigs ears...they were rubbery and tasteless. They are the lighter coloured strips in the pictures.

The restaurant... pronounced"beer-ja" - it was quite good with a wide selection of beer.

Victory Square celebrations that night

Fireworks at about 10 pm as we were walking back to the hotel. Too bad we didn't get to the hotel a bit sooner or we would have had a fantastic view of the three different sets of fireworks going off at the same time.

It was a privilege to take part in this ceremony (even more so because I was aggressive enough to get myself in Victory Square)! This attache life is definitely interesting! We do a lot of traveling, experience many different cultures and make new friends from all around the world.

In the words of our friend Alain....livin' the dream!