14 delegations of World War II veterans and residents of Leningrad Siege from 11 countries – Belarus, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, USA, Ukraine, Sweden, Estonia (90 persons) visited St.Petersburg on May 7 through 10, 2009.
14 delegations of World War II veterans and residents of Leningrad Siege from 11 countries – Belarus, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, USA, Ukraine, Sweden, Estonia (90 persons) visited St.Petersburg on May 7 through 10, 2009.
The delegation visited St.Petersburg on the invitation of the Committee for External Relations, within the confines of fulfilling the Program of St.Petersburg Government on the implementation of Russian Federation state policy concerning the compatriots abroad in 2008–2010.
In accordance with the celebrations schedule, the guests took part in the ceremony of laying wreaths and flowers at the Piskarevskoe Memorial Cemetery on May 8.
V.I. Matvienko, St.Petersburg Governor, congratulated on Victory Day the war veterans, wartime workers of hinterland, residents of the Siege at a concert in GCH «Oktyabrskiy», the same day. «You are the generation of winners», V. Matvienko said. «Your great deed sets the example for all generations of Russians. You have rescued whole Europe and the world from the worst plague in human history – from fascism. We venerate you».
At a meeting in Smolny, the same evening, S.L. Markov, Deputy Chairman of St.Petersburg Committee for External Relations, handed to the compatriots, the residents of Leningrad Siege who were the members of the delegations, commemorative medals «In Honor of 65 Anniversary of Complete Liberation of Leningrad from Fascist Siege», which was followed by a gala dinner.
The morning of May 9, a bus excursion was organized for the delegations of veterans, along the legendary Road of Life, and in the evening they visitted a concerts of State Russian Academic Concert Orchestra named after V.V. Andreev and soloists of Mariinsky State Academic Opera Theater «The Songs of Wartime».
Working with veterans and residents of Leningrad Siege now living abroad is one of the most important areas in St.Petersburg strive for the development of interaction with the compatriots. During 10 years, St.Petersburg Committee for External Relations annually receives groups of veterans and residents of Leningrad Siege coming to participate in the events devoted to the celebration of Victory Day and the Day of Complete Liberation of Leningrad from Fascist Siege.
Source: Committee for External Relations of St. Petersburg