Russian Science and Culture Centre marks the Day of Remembrance and Sorrow in Hanoi
WVR - On June 22, the Russian Centre for Science and Culture in Hanoi solemnly commemorated the Day of Remembrance and Sorrow. This day also marks the surprise attack by Nazi Germany on the Soviet Union (in the early hours of June 22, 1941), which triggered the Great Patriotic War of the Soviet people.
Latest
 |
| On June 22, the Russian Centre for Science and Culture in Hanoi solemnly commemorated the Day of Remembrance and Sorrow. (Photo: Hoang Anh) |
Attending the event were Russian Ambassador to Vietnam Gennady Bezdetko, Belarusian Ambassador to Vietnam Uladzimir Baravikou, representatives of the Vietnam-Russia Friendship Association, and representatives from several Vietnamese organizations and institutions, including the Ho Chi Minh Museum and the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations.
In their speeches, the Russian Ambassador, the Belarusian Ambassador, and the Director of the Russian Centre for Science and Culture recalled the profound losses suffered by the Soviet Union during the brutal and bloody war. The sacrifice, patriotism, and heroism of the Soviet soldiers and people led to a great victory, contributing to peace for nations around the world.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Bezdetko emphasized that June 22, 1941, holds a special place in the historical memory of Russian citizens and those of the former Soviet republics. On this day, the Great Patriotic War began—it remains one of the most sorrowful dates in the history of the Soviet people.
Across the former Soviet Union, there was hardly a family untouched by the flames of war. Tens of millions of lives were lost, countless cities and villages were destroyed, and many destinies were shattered.
 |
| Russian Ambassador to Vietnam Gennady Bezdetko speaks at the commemoration. (Photo: Hoang Anh) |
Ambassador Bezdetko noted that although many decades have passed, the memory of the heroism of the soldiers, the selfless labour of those on the home front, the children who took over adult roles in factories and enterprises during the war, and all those who contributed to the great victory of the Great Patriotic War but did not live to see May 9, 1945, remains sacred in people's hearts.
He also expressed gratitude for the sacrifice of the Vietnamese internationalist soldiers who fought side by side with Soviet citizens in the ranks of the Red Army.
In his remarks, Ambassador Uladzimir Baravikou emphasized that for Belarus, June 22 is a special day —The National Day of Remembrance honouring all victims of the Great Patriotic War and of the Nazi genocide perpetrated against the Belarusian people.
The Republic of Belarus was the first to feel the devastating blow of Hitler’s war machine and suffered tremendous losses. One-third of Belarus’s population at the time perished, and many cities and villages were left in ruins.
 |
| Russian Science and Culture Centre commemorates Day of Remembrance and Sorrow: Belarusian Ambassador Uladzimir Baravikou speaks at the commemoration. (Photo: Hoang Anh) |
Ambassador Uladzimir Baravikou affirmed that the heroism and devoted sacrifice of the defenders of the Brest Fortress, the resistance of Belarusian partisans and underground fighters, and the victims of the Khatyn massacre and other villages that were burned to the ground will never be forgotten.
On this occasion, Ambassador Uladzimir Baravikou also presented a documentary film depicting the brutal atrocities committed by the Nazis and their collaborators against the Belarusian, Russian, and other peoples of the former Soviet Union.
According to the Ambassador, these materials help viewers partially understand the suffering and hardships that people endured. Through this, we can express deep gratitude for “their unparalleled feats and preserve the memory of each of them — those who gave the most precious gift, their lives — so that future generations could live in a peaceful and safe country.”
According to historians, more than 70% of all Allied losses in the fight against Nazi Germany were borne by the Soviet people. Behind the stark figures are the fates, lives, dreams, and hopes of individuals who gave everything for the future of their children and the freedom of their homeland.
Participants at the event observed a minute of silence and laid symbolic flowers in remembrance of those who fell during the Great Patriotic War of 1941–1945.
 |
| Performance of two well-known Soviet songs about the Great Patriotic War The Nightingale and Cranes. (Photo: Hoang Anh) |
The Bach Duong Band performed two well-known Soviet songs about the Great Patriotic War The Nightingale and Cranes.
The event concluded with screenings of two documentary films — Death Camp and The Burned Villages — produced by Belarusfilm, preserving the historical memory and truth about the Nazi genocide against the Belarusian people and other ethnic groups of the former Soviet Union during the occupation of Belarus.
Multimedia
Infographics Photos Videos E magazine
