Belarus Victory Day
Today is Victory Day in Belarus (marking the capitulation of Nazi Germany to the Soviet Union in the Second World War; also known as the Great Patriotic War in the Soviet Union and most post-Soviet states). Belarus was occupied by Germany from 1941 until 1944. Under the Nazi plan, 75% of the population was to be eliminated. 2.2 million people (just over 25%) died during these years. More than 9000 settlements and 1 million buildings were destroyed; barely a stone was left standing in the capital, Minsk. Belarus has recognized May 9 as a non-working holiday since 1946.
There is a nice summary of the holiday, along with many pictures, here.
Below are a few video clips from the 2010 Minsk Victory Day celebrations.
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| Minsk Victory Square |
Today is Victory Day in Belarus (marking the capitulation of Nazi Germany to the Soviet Union in the Second World War; also known as the Great Patriotic War in the Soviet Union and most post-Soviet states). Belarus was occupied by Germany from 1941 until 1944. Under the Nazi plan, 75% of the population was to be eliminated. 2.2 million people (just over 25%) died during these years. More than 9000 settlements and 1 million buildings were destroyed; barely a stone was left standing in the capital, Minsk. Belarus has recognized May 9 as a non-working holiday since 1946.
There is a nice summary of the holiday, along with many pictures, here.
Below are a few video clips from the 2010 Minsk Victory Day celebrations.
I have been told that celebrations this year will not be as grand as in years past, so I don't think we will have the chance to see this kind of an event today, but people will surely still gather to remember the 25% of the Belarus population that was killed during World War II.
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