Tiraspol, May 9. /Novosti Pridnestrovya/. Pridnestrovie celebrates the 76th Victory Day, today. The main festive events are traditionally held in the center of the Pridnestrovian capital. A military parade took place on Suvorov Square. There were ceremonial squads, military equipment from the times of the Great Patriotic War, members of the Honor Guard and cavalry performed for the veterans, the country's leadership and the townspeople. Due to the pandemic, this year there were fewer spectators than usual, yet the general solemn atmosphere testifies that Victory Day remains one of the main holidays for Pridnestrovians.
“The parade is so beautiful and interesting. Actually, it seems to me that May 9 is a very personal holiday, because everyone has grandmothers, grandfathers, great-grandmothers who participated in the Great Patriotic War. One of my grandfathers went through the whole war, the other one died. The grandfather who returned did not tell much. Even when we asked something, he spoke in generalities: yes, he fought, yes, he defended, but he tried never to go into details, these were too hard memories. We must celebrate Victory Day, at least so that our children know who won this war,” Natalia and Nikolay Suyazov shared their impressions.
Sabina Pogonya was in the square together with her sister today. She says she got used to the parade since childhood, when she came to watch it with her family.
“I liked the passage of the military the most - the entire column. It even gave me goosebumps. Everyone was so beautiful, in their uniform, walking together. I also liked the cavalry: the girls on horseback looked very graceful and elegant,” she said.
Pavel Zhitkov did not attend the parade this year though. Retired Colonel, he came to the square a little later - together with his mother Evdokia Pavlovna. She is 91, and she is a home front worker.
“I remember the pre-war years, the military, what a hard work it was. I started working very early - at the age of 12. Then I became a foreman of a field brigade. For me, this is the most important holiday. Young people should know and remember what happened at that time and what they live for,” she says.
“On this day we remember our dad, he went through the war, but he is no longer with us. And we also remember Misha, my mother's uncle, who died in Stalingrad, and we still cannot find him. He was a scout, he was transferred to the Marine Corps Brigade from the Far East, and then right in Stalingrad. He only managed to write one letter and then missed," Pavel Zhitkov said.
Loic Ramirez was among viewers this year. Spaniard by birth, he lives in France for a long time. He is a freelance journalist. This is his first time in Pridnestrovie. Loic lived in Belarus for a year before. He says that the military parades have a common atmosphere in both countries.
“This is very similar to what I saw in Belarus, yet on a smaller scale. We celebrate this holiday too. We do it on May 8th though. It is not such a big holiday in France, but it is important for me, because my mother and my family are from communists. My grandfather left Spain at a young age when the war began there, but when I was little, my mother told me about the war and always emphasized how important it was that the Soviet Union defeated the Nazis. I see that this is an important day in Pridnestrovie. We liked it too, especially since I know the history well and understand the meaning of this holiday,” he shared.
