In observance of the 70th anniversary of the victory in World War II, residents witnessed the May 9 opening of the Alley of Glory to Heroes of the Soviet Union and the Cavaliers of the Order of Glory in Victory Park in the north Kazakhstan city of Petropavlovsk.
Photo credit: i-news.kz
The commemorative street immortalises the names of 66 soldiers from the region. Thousands of people came to honour the memory of those who fell in the battle for peace and tranquillity in the land, but the main guests were the veterans of war, according to Kazinform.
Akim (Governor) of the North Kazakhstan region Erik Sultanov gave a welcoming speech at the opening ceremony.
“Today, on this auspicious day, we solemnly open the Alley of Glory commemorating the memory of 55 natives of North Kazakhstan awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union and 11 full Cavaliers of the Order of Glory. On behalf of all residents of the area, I give a low bow to veterans, combatants and home front workers. Your immortal feat will always serve us as an example of courage, perseverance and devotion to your country,” said the head of the region.
Stepan Bashkirov, a veteran of what is more often referred to as Great Patriotic War, also made a short speech. “Dear Petropavlovsk residents, dear veterans: today, on the day of the great victory, we open the Alley of Glory. I would like to sincerely thank the initiators of this good deed. Thank you for your efforts and the fact that now all the residents, relatives of Heroes of the Soviet Union have the opportunity to come here and bow to our celebrated countrymen,” he said.
Victory Park housed the celebrations in its renovated state. A triumphal arch, two informational pillars and seven pillars representing the main episodes of the war in which the veterans participated were erected. The themes include defence of Leningrad, defence of Stalingrad, Orel-Kursk battle, liberation of Ukraine and Belarus, emancipation of Europe and the great victory. Three flagpoles were installed on each side of the pillars.
Sultanov joined with the veterans to walk through the Triumphal Arch at the Alley of Glory to the Victory Stela and held a flower-laying ceremony at the newly-erected monument to the Liberator Soldier. The sculpture, with a height of 4.5 metres and weighting three tonnes, depicts a Soviet soldier with a sword in one hand and carrying a child in the other. The larger-than-life statue was sculpted by Svetlana Bryutova.
A theatrical concert programme titled “Winning the Hearts of all Living” was presented by the orchestra of military unit No. 6637 on the square near the monument. A military field kitchen with food and refreshments also operated in the vicinity.
